SELF-CARE AND BJJ

It’s time to take care of who matters most: you! Self-care is exactly what the name implies, taking good care of yourself in every way possible, which includes physical health, emotional health and mental health.

Self-care is a very important act in the midst of your health and well-being routine, ensuring benefits that go beyond what you see in the mirror.

WHY IS SELF-CARE IMPORTANT?

We face an increasing number of tasks and stressors every day, especially at the end of the year, which can seem almost impossible to reconcile at once. Taking time to train Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at Gracie Sydney, even for just one hour, will get you away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life stress. Having a moment of mindfulness focused on yourself and present moment can help you feel more connected with your essence, also helping to manage stress, establishing a better balance between personal and professional life and even improving your mood throughout the day.

HOW DIET AFFECTS SELF-CARE

You already know that diet has a huge influence on your body and emotions. Everything you eat and drink on a regular basis affects your mood, your mental health, your energy levels and, more broadly, how good you feel about yourself. As such, one of the best ways to support your overall health and well-being is by fueling your body with healthy, nutrient-dense foods.

Self-care starts in the kitchen

A diet fueled with high-quality fats can improve your energy levels and provide more fuel for your self-care activities. That’s because your body needs fat to function at peak performance.

Additionally, fat plays an important role in brain health, hormone function, and even mood. 

IDEAS THAT YOU CAN EASILY INCORPORATE INTO YOUR SELF-CARE AND TRAINING PLAN:

Make time for yourself

You might think you’re too busy, but even the busiest schedule should include time for self-care and BJJ training. Whether it’s once a day, three times a week, or twice a week, scheduling your training into your routing  is just as important as keeping to your work or social calendar.

Explore other self-care activities

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to self-care. The important thing is that you are participating in an activity that makes you feel happy and a part of BJJ, refreshed and fulfilled. 

Create a diary

Do you ever feel like a million different thoughts are swimming around in your head? Take time to write down everything that goes through your head, whether it’s once a day or whenever you start to feel overwhelmed by all of life’s stressors.

Having a BJJ diary is extremely encouraged. This will make your BJJ game more clear and improvement will go through the roof. In addition to supporting your emotional health, journaling is also a good way to track what’s working and what’s not working during your training.

Practice mindfulness

It’s time to connect with your inner self and be fully present in the moment. There are countless ways to practice mindfulness, including meditation, a walk, or simply disconnecting from social media for a few hours. Try different ways to determine what works best for you.

Eliminate Negative Self Talk

Many of us have that little voice in our head that makes us feel like we’re not good enough for certain things. As you reflect on your self-care ideas, pay close attention to how you talk to yourself. Show more compassion, respect and love to yourself, the same way you would talk to a friend in need of support.

It’s important to make your discipline and motivation clear, repeating to yourself your qualities and gratitude can have very positive effects on your self-esteem. If necessary, also write down everything you consider relevant in your self-esteem process and read them every day, reinforcing your self-care practice.