The 3 R's: Humanizing Student Athletes

By a Stanford Student Athlete

Class. Class. Class. Practice. Recovery.

Class. Class. Class. Practice. Recovery.

Class. Class. Class. Practice. Recovery.

Class. Class. Class. Practice. Recovery.

Class. Class. Class. Practice. Recovery.

Class. Class. Class. Practice. Recovery.

Class. Class. Class. Practice. Recovery.

Being a student-athlete can quickly make you feel like a machine. There are so many components that we as student-athletes have to coordinate that it can start to feel mundane or chore-like. We might start envying our non-athlete friends because they have the luxury of staying up late to study for a test or hanging out with each other on school nights when we have practice. It might feel like all you ever do is practice or study, like all there is to you is your academic or athletic performance. You might be like me and know that there is more to you, but you struggle to live that out. Today's blog post is dedicated to finding ways to restore your humanity. Oh, and I did it using alliteration because I'm a total nerd.

#1: Rest

I know I've said it before, and I will probably say it again. The best thing you can do for your body, soul, and mind is rest! And while there are scientifically proven benefits in the classroom or on the track, I want to focus on rest's role in being human.

Part of being human means that we require sleep. When we sleep, we stop working. That's pretty obvious, I know. But, putting two and two together, when we stop working to sleep, we are embracing our humanity. When we shut our laptop or book, we acknowledge that what we have done is enough for the day. Turning off the light means that we are done trying to cross off things on the to-do list. Crawling into the covers says that I can't do it all right now. Closing your eyes suggests that tomorrow is another day, but I am finished for now. Essentially, rest is an act of humility. By sleeping, we symbolically accept that we are not robots that can function 24/7. Sleeping is a reminder to our bodies and minds that they are human.

As abstract as this might sound, I want to encourage you to get more sleep this week. Personally, I strive for 9 hours each night. If you currently only get 7 hours of sleep, try upping it to 8. I know that our days are already overflowing with meetings, classes, and practices. We are so busy. However, I think you will find a new sense of humanity by getting more sleep or at least through the humbling attempt to do so.

#2: Relaxation

This section is for the workaholic student-athlete. I know that's not everyone, and some of you don't need any help when it comes to spending time on tiktok. But, for those of you who do find yourself constantly striving and never relaxing, I hope this helps!

I know this word--relaxation--isn't in our vocabulary as a student-athlete. We've been conditioned to use our time productively, always on the go. We are the first to say, "The grind never stops." Let me tell you something. It should stop! And if you're like me, you struggle to allow yourself to decompress because you feel as though there is always something to be done. Or if you're like the majority of student-athletes, there's just not enough time for you to relax. Despite the multiple reasons we have not to, relaxation can help us feel a little more "normal."

So, my suggestion for you is to intentionally carve out a little free time to relax. It can be weekly or daily. During the school year, my relaxation time is the thirty minutes before bed.

Find whatever form of relaxation that makes you content with your rare "free time." For me, it's reading and naps, but maybe it's movies or tiktoks for you. Whatever it is, I suggest you have a hard stop to it. For example, I will only read one or two chapters during my relaxation, and then it's back to work. Maybe it's one episode. For tiktok, maybe you set an alarm. I have found that putting limits on my relaxation time makes me feel less wasteful of my time. It also will hold you accountable to continue being productive if needed.

#3: Relationships

I am a firm believer that we as human beings were meant to be in relationship with one another. I'm not just talking about boyfriends and girlfriends: I am talking about parents, coaches, siblings, teachers, grandparents, neighbors, friends, teammates, classmates. Sometimes, we become so focused on our sport that these relationships suffer. In turn, we lose touch with that aspect of our humanity.

My encouragement, then, for you is to take the time to cultivate these relationships. I know, I know, you have limited time, and you are already supposed to use it resting and relaxing! Student-athletes are good multi-taskers, so maybe you can relax with your friends.

Simply asking your coach about their day or sharing a story with a parent or telling a joke to a classmate makes you personable. You're a person, too! Plus, focusing on others rather than ourselves is life-giving and can counteract that machine-like feeling we get throughout our days.

However you choose to foster relationships, I hope these connections will pull you away from your robotic rhythms and draw you closer to your human nature.

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Maybe you want to try out these tips, but you don't know how to create the time to do so. Good news! I've got some time-saving tips coming soon for you. Just tap that yellow button so you don't miss them!