Active Recovery

Over the years of participating in spin classes at the gym and then riding as part of a cycling club, the one aspect of fitness that I have worked hard at developing was active recovery.   This is basically the ability  to recover and regroup while still putting forth an effort, with the intention of being able to sustain further work efforts as you go.  Crucial on long bike rides, I have been thinking more and more about how this skill or ability also serves us in many other aspects of our lives.

Thinking back to the past year, we were all working hard to carry heavy loads, for unpredictable amounts of time and uncertain as to whether or not it was safe or even available to us to ease off a bit.  For many the year felt like a long series of unrelenting intervals of heavy work and small breaks and even during those "breaks" the work and weight of what was happening did not seem to back off.  The ability during those small breaks to take a breath, reset and refocus on the direction we were headed towards felt like a type of active recovery.  With the new year ahead of us, I feel that focusing on active recovery from the hang over of 2020 is essential in order to avoid burnout and a general sense of overwhelm.  Looking at the new year as a time to continue our work while ensuring that we are taking advantage of those moments to reset and regroup is crucial.  Finding ways to grasp moments of active recovery will be different for everyone - for some a formal meditation or yoga practice, for others just time outside or moments spent in silence and solitude.  Some may need to recharge in the company of others even if that means virtually or on a safely distanced walk or outing.  It is being aware of this need, to stay actively focused on the work at hand while allowing a recharge of batteries that I think will prove to be a critical way to take back some control after so many months of feeling out of control.

I encourage you to rummage around in your toolbox and see what works for you, and to acknowledge that your active recovery tools may differ greatly from those of your family and friends, and may even need to change with time.  Pausing for a deep breath when the world around you feels overwhelming could end up being the very thing that takes you from feeling like you can't cope to feeling like you've got this.

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