Simple Self-Care Tips for the Busy Pro Cheerleader
With so many things to do on top of your weekly rehearsals and team activities, it’s important to show your body some love. If there’s one thing you should be particularly good at as a professional cheerleader, that’s taking good care of yourself.
Remember that you’re not a superhero -- push yourself too hard and you reach a point of exhaustion. In this article, I will show you little self-care strategies that will leave you feeling refreshed, energized, and positive. Check them out below.
1. Drink clean water all day.
Staying hydrated throughout the day has a lot of health benefits. It helps you stay alert and focused, and will relieve that pounding headache that resulted from sleeping late at night. Not to mention, more water gives you clearer skin. Try a fruit infused water for added nutrients.
2. Reduce your sugar consumption.
Do you often indulge in sugar-laden snacks? Reducing your sugar intake will prevent blood sugar spikes that leave you feeling sluggish or anxious. A lot of amazing things happen when you reduce or cut out sugar. Your mental clarity improves and you won’t be as hungry as you are usually.
3. Listen to your body pain.
A lot of times, we ignore anything that hurts in our bodies until the pain becomes unbearable. Pain is your body’s way of telling you that you need to pause, slow down, rest, or get yourself checked by the doctor. Don’t brush pain aside.
4. Reward yourself.
The operant conditioning theory of learning states that behavior that is followed by a pleasant outcome is likely to be repeated. Too often, we put so much pressure on ourselves that we forget we’re only human. Treat yourself to a delicious healthy meal. Sit at the beach. Buy yourself a new workout outfit. Book a spa.
5. Use daily affirmations.
Positive affirmations have the power to transform your mind and your entire life. Each day, tell yourself a simple truth that will get rid of negativity. For example, a positive affirmation can be, “I find opportunities to be kind wherever I go,” or “I choose to be hopeful.”
6. Make sleep a priority.
Prioritize sleep because your health and happiness depend on it. A lack of sleep can make you prone to making poor decisions or overeating. To make up for lost hours of sleep, you can take short daytime naps. Trust me when I say that you need at least 7 hours of sleep at night.
7. Laugh.
Learning to laugh each day helps lighten the load. Laughter makes you feel better no matter how stressed you are. Laughter creates happiness at work. When you laugh, you encourage others to do the same. It’s infectious.
Final Thoughts
You’re not just a professional cheerleader. You’re also a mother, spouse, student, and co-worker. Self-care isn’t just healthy for yourself, but also for the people around you. Hopefully, these simple tips remind you of how important pampering yourself is. Don’t forget to eat healthily and ask for help when you need it.
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