March 13, 2017 News British Rowing NewsBritish Rowing EventsRowing CommunityGB Rowing TeamIndoor RowingRowing & RegattaPartners#YourStoriesArchive Eight healthy habits for rowers Rowing & Regatta Your performances in the boat and on the rowing machine will feel the benefit of following these eight top tips By Patricia Carswell (@girlontheriver) With a strenuous sport like rowing it’s easy to assume you’ve got it covered just because you’re rowing several times a week. In fact it’s all the more important to pay attention to your overall health. Eat better If you’re too busy to cook in the week, plan your week’s meals at the weekend and batch-cook so you’ve got nutritious food ready to go in the fridge or freezer. Aim to have several alcohol-free days per week. Look after your body Leave time to stretch after every outing, and don’t neglect the warm-up and cool-down. Yoga is great for improving hip mobility and for keeping backs strong. And relax Talk to your coach or a more experienced rower about how much rest and recovery you should be getting. If you don’t sleep well, get into a night-time routine, and make sure it includes switching your phone off well before bedtime. Chill out Find ways (other than rowing) to unwind. Choral singing has been shown to reduce stress levels and meditation can ease feelings of anxiety. If you’re not coping with some aspect of your rowing life, talk to your coach or squad captain before it spirals out of control. This article was first published in the January/February 2017 issue of Rowing & Regatta magazine.
