Many skaters are scared of the idea of taking a break because they immediately think of all the missed training sessions, lost fitness, and strength. They are afraid of unwanted weight and other consequences of inactive life. What they forget is the human need for rest and a break in everyday life, which is completely normal, but also necessary.
Skateboarding is considered a sport, lifestyle, and an active set of skills that require practice to be able to thrive. Sometimes life will put us in specific situations that will prevent us from doing what we do best. So, should you take a break from skateboarding? In order to save your mental health and physique, absolutely!
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The Path of Skateboarding
Bloody knees and torn palms, daily conflicts with nervous passers-by are only a few stress indicators many skateboarders face every day. On the other hand, they do feel joy when they master new tricks on the ramp or in the park. This exquisite activity has come a long way. It is a street skill that has become an Olympic sport.
Even though skateboarding came full circle when it comes to recognition, there are people today who love to stigmatize it. In some surroundings, skateboarding can be considered an activity for teens. But is there really a time when you should stop skateboarding? We think not as it all comes down to personal preference.
This ride on a wooden board on wheels, which used to be exclusively a part of the sweaty pleasure of a group of dissatisfied teenagers, and today is a skill for which Olympic medals are awarded, has been present in Serbia since the end of the eighties.
To this day, it has gone through various phases – ups, downs, divisions, commercialization, etc. But it did largely preserve its core values, from camaraderie and desire for progress to mutual help and support.
Skateboarding at the Olympics in Tokyo
The skateboard rolled its way up to a debut on the Tokio Olimpic games. The competition ran in two disciplines- street and park. To earn a medal, skaters needed to maneuver original tricks against obstacles you find on the streets. The system for points was not as fair according to some skateboarders. Nevertheless, this sport made its mark in history.
Self-Love Is Important
Growing up on a skateboard means two things – watching skate movies and riding, that is, theory and practice. In these films, the main roles are played by “them” – professional drivers who live from it and travel around the world. This sends an inexhaustible river of possible and impossible tricks from the screen, which local teams around the world practice and do in practice at night. These are absolutely the same people as those who copy their tricks and try to reach their level.
Mental rest, as well as physical rest, gives you the opportunity to “restart”. It is important to stop then make an overview of your progress, the place where you now reconsider your desired goals. You can try and ask yourself this set of questions:
- Are your original desires no longer challenging enough? Maybe you fulfilled them a long time ago?
- Do you want something more or something different now?
- IS the progress you have made so far skateboarding up to your expectations?
- Do you need a change of scenery?
There are some events when taking care of your mental and physical health should be more important than any other activity in your life. Because of this, we will focus on how to take a break from something. It is up to you to determine do you need it, in what way and to which extent.
Everyone in Sports Sometimes Requires a Break
Skateboarding has come a long way in the past few decades. It started as a hobby for surfers in urban environments, and it has grown into an Olympic sport. Even from the time, it was not considered an official sports activity, the strain practice has on the body can sometimes be overwhelming.
Many athletes know that proper rest after training and occasional breaks are the basis for success, but most still feel guilty if they miss a consecutive day of training or take a break for a few days. The body is renewed and strengthened just in the time between training or in occasional breaks.
Therefore, sports performance (physical, but also mental) will improve only if you allow yourself proper rest.
- Physically – rest is necessary for the muscles to rest, repair, and strengthen;
- Mentally – building muscle on vacation days can help recreational athletes better maintain a balance between home, work/school, and personal fitness goals.
Allow for a change and shake up your exercise routine a bit. The results will allow you to see how your stress level has drastically decreased! A break will not only help you relax but will also help you maintain motivation in training. Admit that it is difficult, no matter what level you are at, to keep your focus and be committed to what you are doing.
When Is the Best Time to Take a Break?
Knowing when is the right time to take a break can be difficult. Breaks are usually taken, and maybe the best time for them, right after intense training, or any physically demanding event. So you are, for the most part, most stressed and a mental break will be most useful to you.
Break time is when your motivation and excitement are still at a fairly high level. Once you lose focus it will be harder to recover and find your motivation again, so be careful not to experience a complete breakdown.
There Are Two Types of Recovery
- Short-term recovery is a recovery from extremely intense training and competition. It is sometimes called active recovery because it involves low-intensity exercises that are practiced immediately after hard work or exercise (“cool-down” phase). These exercises will improve the performance of the exercisers.
- Long-term recovery refers to exercisers who have seasonal training (or preparation). This can include both professional athletes and recreational exercisers who have a specific annual training plan. Most well-designed training programs will include recoveries (vacations) that will last for days, and sometimes even weeks, and they are included in the annual training schedule.
This is also the reason why athletes and coaches change their training programs throughout the year, adding fitness training, changing the types of exercises, and making changes in the intensity of performing the exercises themselves, the duration, etc.
It may be necessary to take small breaks during training to regain desire and strength. Not every break has to belong, or after training. Allow yourself brief moments to connect with other aspects of your life during training – it can restore your strength and will. Remember why you like skateboarding or why you do certain exercises and keep going even better!
How to Make an Efficient Brake?
The challenge for many athletes is to discover the best way and time of their rest, without interfering with training and exercises. One way is to determine how long the break will last before it starts. It can be a day, a week, maybe a month – depending on how you feel.
Once you have determined the duration of your vacation – you must fully comply! Just make sure you are completely rested and recovered before you go back to training.
The main concern is mainly the loss of exercise during the break. While this is a legitimate cause for concern, there are several ways to use your vacation wisely and productively and return better than you were. The best way to do this is to focus and work on your weaknesses during the holidays.
Simply substitute the activities on your getaway. Get some mental rest from the skateboard (or any other main activity that works for you), and try channeling the energy into something you are not so efficient in. Activities such as skiing, strength training, cycling, or running can help you solve a problem area as you redirect your energy to something new.
Taking a Break
While mental rest may seem like a daunting task, it can also be one of the most important parts of your workout. Time spent relaxing and away from exercise will help you think about what you are doing and why you are doing it.
Take a break to analyze past accomplishments, current situations, and original goals for the future. Correct if there are any irregularities in the plan and focus on the new training plan you will be working on.
Do not be afraid of breaks and rest. Athletes’ lives are full of challenges and allowing yourself to rest is one of the most important things you can do to achieve complete success. Remember that your body, from time to time, needs the opportunity and time to just recover and renew itself. The renewal is part of the whole process. When you return to your training, you will feel rested, refreshed, and most importantly – even stronger, with more will and strength to work on yourself.
Should You Take a Break From Skateboarding?
Yes, if you feel like it. Communication and self-love are more important than any sport. For those young skateboarding lovers who are set on a mission to grow a power pack, it is okay to stop and take a breath. Even if you want to make your legs bigger, or any other muscle set, plan out, learn and observe.
No one should impose any discomfort or sense of obligation other than yourself. Changing sports, taking a break, or completely giving up is all ok. It is the benefit of this accepting community – no one should judge you if you watch from the side. If by any chance you feel pressure from the surroundings, it just might be the perfect time to change the scenery.
