Today is National Relaxation Day!
Relaxation is a vital part of any athlete’s training, as it has been shown to reduce mental and physical anxiety both leading up to and during performance, as well as increase an athletes’ concentration during performance1. While laying in bed binging the newest season of your favorite show can be a nice way to decompress after a long day, it won’t have the same effect on performance as focused breathing and concentration exercises. Just like your dancing, mindful relaxation techniques take practice. So today, Target Training invites you to turn off Netflix and practice relaxing with some of the following techniques.
Top Three Relaxation Techniques
Stretch
Stretching is vital for all athletes, as it increases flexibility, mobility, and can help prevent injuries. Stretching also relieves tension from your muscles, whether the tension be from daily life or long practices2. Try the Post Class Stretching or Lower Body Mobility videos on the Target Training Online Institute, but be sure to focus on deep breathing as you stretch!
Progressive Muscle Relaxation
Progressive Muscle Relaxation is a technique that involves slowly tensing and relaxing individual muscle groups to relieve stress3. If you’re just starting out with PMR, TT recommends using a guided video (like this one). Once you get comfortable with PMR, go ahead and create your own routine!
Hang with Friends Hang out with your friends! Spend some time with your dance friends outside of the studio and away from the stresses of Irish dancing. Spending time with people you trust can boost your self-confidence and decrease loneliness, both vital for combating stress!
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Happy relaxing!
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