Ten things athletes do, that may help new homeschoolers stay focused
Start with the global basics: hydrate, exercise, & eat right
Exercise and eating right in the athletic world is not much different than what an average healthy person should be doing. There are a few acceptations at the elite levels, but over-all, to get the most out of our systems, eating clean and moving often, is the way to go.
Here are a few quick “athletic minded fixes” that will help with homeschool-focus:
Move: pre-anything
Squat, push-up, and plank right out of bed
Finish with a 5-minute stretch
Get outside: very early
Aim to be in natural light early every morning, even a few minutes works, but a morning walk or run is best
Rehydrate: first
While you sleep your system is still “working.” So, whichever your preference; warm, cold, or lemon water, just make sure you hydrate with 8oz as a morning ritual
Eat breakfast: when you feel like it/can:
Fueling in the morning is best according to what you sense you need. RE-fueling is the important part and should be done consistently following your activities
Personalize your governing body: accept support/find a coach
To be a good athlete one needs a coach for the guidance on things to improve or fix because we do not know what we do not know. Coaches help pinpoint the unknowns. They often turn to other specialists, like trainers, physiologists etc., to help their athletes improve. Homeschooling may work best if it includes a hybrid learning program, like sport, including suggestions/ideas from other parents, siblings, teachers, friends, coaches etc. Solid instruction does not have to be the newest cutting-edge strategy either. Success often stems from consistency -- if you find a resource or system that works -- stick with it. If things are not working, continue to ask questions/research with intent to move in a forward direction to find a plan that works.
Lower brain weeds: stay on a schedule
Our systems work better when we can lower the number of unexpected stresses. I call these brain weeds; they are unnecessary things that pop up and distract us from more beautiful, worthwhile focal points. Late nights and last-minute cramming sessions are two things usually suck one dry of seeing things clearly. Therefore, scheduling time to work, play, relax, and sleep -- so it becomes a habitual process -- enables you to feel the best and remain focused.
Take advantage constructive criticism: dump the rest
When a coach yells at an athlete their initial reaction may be to fold and give up, but often the second thought is, “If I fix this, chances are that I will get better.” This applies to any type of criticism in life. Homeschooling procedures require a different type of communication and may involve notes and emails that are not perceived the same way as if they were said in person. It is helpful to take a step back before reacting to something that is at first uncomfortable, to see that it will eventually be beneficial for your future.
Use virtual ice: relax your brain
If a baseball pitcher in throws 100 times in a game – a good coach tells the pitcher to ice their arm. Relaxation is the “ice” strategy for your brain. We tend to overlook the importance of giving our brain rich recovery after using it in things such as school, studying, or test taking. Practicing relaxation, deep breaths, body scans, a few times per day, enables you to ask more of yourself at important times.
Do it before you do it: visualize
An athlete visualizes a skill, technique, or course before actually attempting it so the stress of the unknown is less. This also increases the chances of performing it better, even if it is for the first time. We are all uncomfortable with the indefinite and become more comfortable with things we recognize; therefore visualizing is an important tool for life. The process tricks our brain into thinking it has done it before putting the event into the category of “known.” Visualization can help with simple things like the process of day-planning or envisioning what the next Zoom session will be like -- as well as a bit more stressful things -- like taking a test.
Be creative: prioritize your efforts to socialize
Athletes do not have the same social freedoms as everyone else because they prioritize their training. Therefore, they have to be creative with the way they spend time with their friends. For many kids, school is a social outlet, but homeschooling changes this. Do not put a cap on identifying new ways to safely interact with others. Creative social interactions are good for the mind and emotional stability.
Schedule all things good: ritualize quiet/down time
The end of practice for an athlete signifies time to rest and recover in whatever way works best for them. Homeschooling does not necessarily have a beginning and end. Not only taking control of your schedule, but actually scheduling time off, will improve the time that you want your brain to be “on.” Work in chunks of time with breaks that include enjoyable restorative things.
Smart watch your life: set goals
When athletes see other athletes accomplish goals/win events that they want to win, this often sparks ideas of things to accomplish. Goals work as a motivational strategy because, when we achieve something, our natural instinct is to do it again or may be even better the next time. In school too, it is important to have a goal in mind with everything you do. This way you can track your progress and make adjustments if needed.
See as they do: analyze role models
Role models in sport bring a realistic vision to the work it takes to achieve different things. Role models can be used for motivation, support, and ideas in school and curricular activities too. One important thing to note: We often think of role models as perfect. It is important when choosing a person as a role model, to be aware of the both the highs and lows they face. Great things that people do, as well as the mistakes people make, can be life lessons for us all.
