muddy river rollers - moncton roller derby

The best place for me to go for a run is up at the lake. The road is hilly, the trees arch overhead, and it takes very little to quiet my mind. A few steps into the dense woods and I'm greeted by birdsong and an incredible quiet. There is no traffic, and rarely do I even encounter other people. My mind is able to wander and come back to the surroundings, and I listen to the rhythm of my foot falls and the way the gravel crunches underfoot. I smell lush leaves and always find roadside wild raspberry bushes. A squirrel or a rabbit scurries away as I pass by, and then I finally feel it… I've stopped thinking about Derby.

Once I learned that the Derby Monster was a real creature, I quickly started to search for ways to tame the Beast. I don't really mind how all-consuming the sport can be, but I think that balance is essential to a healthy life. It can be hard to find that when everything on your calendar is roller skate-centric. I even find that my once regular chiropractic appointments have shifted to minor track related-injury treatments. A full body massage at the spa sometimes turns into a painful reminder of every fall and hit on areas I don't even remember landing on or crashing into. So, it can be hard to quiet the mind, even when actively trying to.

It's vital to find that balance. It can make you a better skater, committee member, teammate, and friend. So how to do it? Here are some simple ideas:

• Carve out time for yourself. Add it to your calendar in an appointment fashion so that it's blocked off, and nothing can interfere with it.  Treat it with the same value as you do a practice, or a bout.
  
  
• Don't volunteer for everything. Your league needs you, but if you are burnt out six months from now, it won't matter that you attended every event and were Most Valuable Volunteer. In direct opposition, if you never volunteer for anything (I know and respect all the reasons why you don't), make a point to at the next function. It really contributes to a healthy sense of community.
  
  
• Meditate. It doesn't have to be where you sit cross-legged on a cushion with incense burning and pan-flute playing in the background (unless that's your thing, and in that case, have at 'er).  But daily, there should be a time and place where you deliberately slow down, quiet your mind, and focus inward. It will contribute to your well-being and your sense of balance.  
  
  
• Get some sleep. So many things get in the way of sleeping soundly. Late night practices shift body rhythms, and after practice drinking can interrupt your sleep patterns. I'm not suggesting not to have fun, but if you find yourself lacking energy and looking for ways to not be overwhelmed by the Beast, then this might be a good area to examine.
  
  
• Eat some real food (that's fruits, vegetable and whole grains), and plan some healthy eating for days that you will be skating. Derby is fun and playful, but it is a sport and it makes demands on your body. Feed those muscles, ligaments and systems that are working hard. It will reduce your amount of injuries, speed your recovery time, and increase your endurance both on and off the track.
  
  
• Be positive. This is a hard one to master, but it can shift the focus of league issues that effect you directly and that's the real goal. If you believe that things could be done differently and better, then you really should speak up. Remember though, criticism rarely garners results without offering a solution. Make a point to praise those that are doing the work, even if you feel it could be changed for the better.
  
  
• Hydrate. You know how much you drink during a practice?  You actually should be drinking like that all day long. Nothing affects mood more than being dehydrated. If you're cranky, reach for a drink (martinis, coffee and caffeinated beverages don't count).
  
  
• Learn to take a compliment. Praise does wonders for self-esteem. If someone is taking the time to point out your brilliant abilities, it's because you are worthy. Don't undermine yourself by talking them out of the compliment. It might be hard to say thank you at first, but it gets easier and you'll come to learn that it actually contributes to your overall health!