Sometimes it feels like it was just yesterday, but sometimes it feels like it’s been months since we’ve been able to hang with our friends or play pickleball.
Actually it’s only been a little over a month since I flew home from the USAPA Mid South Regional as president Trump was issuing his initial “15 Day Plan To Slow The Spread” and pickleball tournaments worldwide began to shut down.
I know pickleball is terribly important to us all, and it really is tough to not focus on that loss. But it is troubling to read some of the online posts about people actually going into mental depression already. I know some of it is real and some people are truly struggling with the isolation. But I also believe that a major portion of the “stay inside” gloom and doom could be prevented with the proper attitude and a little bit of positive action.
I don’t know what you are doing with all this new stay at home time, but I have found that the more active I keep myself, the faster the days go by. And each day brings us a little closer to the eventual end of the isolation. And trust me, the end is coming. There are many amazing minds working on new testing techniques and medical technologies and medicines and cures and vaccines. As they always have in the past, they will come up with the things needed to successfully battle this virus the next time it comes around.
So what am I doing in the meantime to stay up and positive through it all?
Well, I have had to change the way I approach each day a bit.
I am now doing three things each and every day to help me personally stay positive.
Number 1) I do at least one thing for our Pickleball Rocks business every day. That may be writing a pickleball article or blog post. I may be creating a Pickleball Rocks Training Academy training video or I might work on a new t-shirt design. So if you have a business that is down, spend a little specific time doing something for it. It may be just working on some creative marketing ideas for when things open back up.
If you are staying home from your job, try to find some small thing you can do that will help you with your job when you go back or find something, just one small thing each day, to do around the house. Maybe it’s cleaning a floor or rearranging a closet or drawers. Just actively do one thing each day that you can view as an accomplishment. A sense of accomplishment is important for all of us.
THE SECOND THING that I’m doing a bit different from my normal days? I pick up the phone and call and talk live to two people a day. I may have a specific reason for the call. But many times I just reach out to see how someone is doing. It might be a relative. It might be a pickleball player in my contact list. But I call at least two human beings a day. It really does help to have a live conversation with a friend. Having that connection is priceless.
Then number 3) This one is actually easier when I’m not traveling so much. During this stay at home time, I make absolutely sure I get at least 20 minutes of exercise each and every day. I know you’ve heard it, but there is just something magical happens right after you exercise. The adrenaline flows and you just feel great. I’m thankful that Tim Kuss and Scott Moore introduced me to blood flow restriction training last year. It has allowed me to pack a full workout into a nice compact 20 minutes a day. Very simple, very easy, but great results. And what a difference it makes in your attitude when you know you’ve accomplished something so meaningful for your own good.
So I do encourage you to get some exercise every day. Whether it’s something as simple as taking a walk or doing some stretches on the floor, or spending an hour lifting weights, DO SOMETHING TO BE PHYSICALLY ACTIVE.
For me personally it is a 20 minute light weight workout with the B3 Blood Flow Resistance bands. Can anyone do it? I truly believe that just like pickleball, anyone from 9 to 90 can do blood flow resistance training. If you have any questions about blood flow resistance training, check out this video.
Using light weights or therapy bands, BFR training is simply the best way to exercise I’ve found. Thanks again Scott and Tim.
Of course, these three things don’t completely fill my day, but they do nicely break it up.
And most importantly they give me something to look forward to each and every day.
It really is just a little different approach to my days at home. It works for me and I hope it can work for you too.
I look forward to seeing you all on the courts again soon, but until then Pickleball Nation,
stay active, stay positive and stay safe.
Rocket