With recent news of coach John Fox undergoing heart valve replacement, coach Gary Kubiak collapsing at halftime, and numerous other influential coaches across the country battling chronic health conditions...it's got me thinking again.
How can we keep our coaches, our husbands, our best friends healthy during a stressful sports season? I don't claim to know the health habits of the coaches mentioned above. For all I know they could eat vegan and organic and exercise daily. Sickness can happen to anyone and my thoughts and prayers for quick recoveries and strength go out to the Fox and Kubiak families.
What I DO know is that competitive athletics is a stressful work environment with long, irregular hours, busy travel schedules and loads of daily mental pressure.
When the brain is stressed, the body becomes stressed. Our immune systems stop working like they should. When you add on to that lack of sleep, frequent fast food or high fat catering and little time for exercise, we have a recipe for disaster.
While health has to be a personal choice, I have made it one of my "jobs" to attempt to keep my hubby healthy during football season. I think as wives (and mothers too) we often take on the responsibility of keeping our family healthy and safe. Sometimes I feel like I'm a little like this with my coach...
How can we keep our coaches, our husbands, our best friends healthy during a stressful sports season? I don't claim to know the health habits of the coaches mentioned above. For all I know they could eat vegan and organic and exercise daily. Sickness can happen to anyone and my thoughts and prayers for quick recoveries and strength go out to the Fox and Kubiak families.
What I DO know is that competitive athletics is a stressful work environment with long, irregular hours, busy travel schedules and loads of daily mental pressure.
When the brain is stressed, the body becomes stressed. Our immune systems stop working like they should. When you add on to that lack of sleep, frequent fast food or high fat catering and little time for exercise, we have a recipe for disaster.
While health has to be a personal choice, I have made it one of my "jobs" to attempt to keep my hubby healthy during football season. I think as wives (and mothers too) we often take on the responsibility of keeping our family healthy and safe. Sometimes I feel like I'm a little like this with my coach...
But then I prefer to think of myself as the sweet little healthy angel on his shoulder with carrot sticks and smiles.
photo credit www.saltmoney.org
Here are a few things that I've been working on doing this football season. No coaching hubby? These are pretty solid ideas for ANYONE who wants to decrease stress and stay healthy.
Have Healthy Food Prepared
I've learned that if healthy food is the easy food, we're all more likely to eat it. I stock up on produce and wash, cut and divide it all out at the beginning of the week for easy snacks for both of us.
I also plan several healthy dinners to make during the week. I usually eat alone (with my puppy at my toes), but I make large batches to send as lunches, dinners and to keep in the freezer for weeks that I'm not so motivated!
About once a month, I refresh hubby's office food stash with oatmeal packets, trail mix, whole grain crackers and Emergen-C.
I also plan several healthy dinners to make during the week. I usually eat alone (with my puppy at my toes), but I make large batches to send as lunches, dinners and to keep in the freezer for weeks that I'm not so motivated!
About once a month, I refresh hubby's office food stash with oatmeal packets, trail mix, whole grain crackers and Emergen-C.
Go For Walks
This has been a marriage-save for us. Somehow, our walk time becomes talk-time, and is so much more productive and enjoyable than my attempts at bathroom talks (eww) or phone calls. I try to make walking a priority, even if it's just 10 minutes out with the dog before he goes in on Sunday. Sometimes I'll stop by the office when he has a little break and we'll take a lap around campus. We've even been known to ditch Sunday "Family Dinner" in the office for a longer walk! Do it- they need air and you need some hand holding time.
Support Exercise Time
At least in our house, football season is a challenging time for my hubby to stay consistent in the gym. There is always something that comes up, even with the best laid plans. When he is able to get a workout in, it's often early in the morning or later in the evening. This can mean even less time at home. I try to smile and support these decisions, because I know it's good for him, and I understand the importance of guilt-free workout time.
Make Your Room Restful
I know this is silly, but even if the rest of the house is a pig-sty, I try to always keep our bedroom a calm, relaxing space. I have some candles, keep dim lights on, and try to keep the laundry away (see: hidden in my closet). I honestly don't even know if he notices, but it's important to me that the place where we rest is calm and distraction free. No TVs or computers in our room! Sleep is SO IMPORTANT to our health. Make it a priority - and when the sleep hours are limited...at least make them high quality!
Stay Positive
Ah...the biggest challenge. It can be tempting to nag your coach about how many pieces of post-game pizza they ate. Or to complain about the terrible weather at the game. Or whine about god-knows-what football decision you heard about. But you know, that's the last thing they want to hear when they get home. There are pressures and negativity all day at the office, do your best to keep it positive at home.
Not only will this help your hubby reduce some stress, it will also help YOUR sanity! Negativity is contagious, and it also breeds more negativity. We all have challenging seasons, but keeping a positive attitude will help you make the best of any situation.
Not only will this help your hubby reduce some stress, it will also help YOUR sanity! Negativity is contagious, and it also breeds more negativity. We all have challenging seasons, but keeping a positive attitude will help you make the best of any situation.
what about you?
I'm sure some of you have some awesome "stay-healthy" season hacks - share them here!!
AND ON ANOTHER NOTE...
A quick update on some holiday training...If planning your workouts is one extra thing you just don't make time for - leave the work to me! Right now all 4 week training plans are 50% off - That's less than 50 bucks a month for 4 weeks of workouts, motivation and personal attention from me. I will make a plan based off of YOUR goals, time and equipment. Heck I might even cut you a deal if your hubby wants to join in!
Check out more details here or email me at homefieldfitness <at> yahoo <dot> com
AND ON ANOTHER NOTE...
A quick update on some holiday training...If planning your workouts is one extra thing you just don't make time for - leave the work to me! Right now all 4 week training plans are 50% off - That's less than 50 bucks a month for 4 weeks of workouts, motivation and personal attention from me. I will make a plan based off of YOUR goals, time and equipment. Heck I might even cut you a deal if your hubby wants to join in!
Check out more details here or email me at homefieldfitness <at> yahoo <dot> com
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