As you are well aware, the world has turned upside down since early March.
Back then, players were immersed in their state hockey tournaments, thinking ahead to tryouts and planning for the spring season. Now, we have no need to sharpen skates as most of the rinks are melting and there is no timeline set for a return.
We are in uncharted territory with school, work, social lives and sports all impacted. The situation continues to evolve.
Given the novel coronavirus pandemic, it is critical that we adhere to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization and state government recommendations. Such adherence means continued disruption to our daily lives and plans, which include playing hockey and watching the game on TV. Youth and college players’ seasons were canceled.
Professional leagues, including the NWHL and NHL, have suspended play. The suddenness of these changes has left us all in limbo, a place where normal routines have gone out the window with no clear sense of how to proceed. That means players have little control of what will come. But there are things that they can do and control while waiting for life to return more to normalcy.
It is important to acknowledge all of the complex emotions athletes are feeling in this time of uncertainty.
To identify a few: some players might feel angry that they were denied the opportunity to play the final games of their season; others might be confused by the complex nature of the novel coronavirus; others might feel sad not being able to spend time with their teammates; others might be frightened for their friends, their families and themselves.
Any of these, or all of these emotions, are natural and understandable, especially given the magnitude of these drastic changes and the uncertainty of when we will return to more familiar ways. Everyone’s way of life has been upended in ways not previously experienced.
All hockey players and many of their parents had their lives dramatically changed with the cancellation of the hockey season.
Were it not for this pandemic, we would have been able to watch the Frozen Four, the end of the NHL season and the start of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Proactive steps
Fortunately, we will have other opportunities in the future. In the meantime, continuing to follow the CDC and WHO protocols, which means no organized hockey, remains most important.
Because no one knows how long this situation will last, focusing on what you can control will help offset the uncertainty and related anxiety. Although we cannot control the course of the coronavirus or when it will end, within the new parameters we can still manage certain activities that we perform from day to day.
As I share with players during the season, a number of self-care items can empower athletes:
- Sleep
- Exercise
- Nutrition
- Hydration
- Skill training
- Attitude
- Connection with family, friends and teammates
If you play hockey at a higher level, one that entails spring training, then continue your routines as best you can, given the circumstances.
It might be that you now practice shots in your driveway or stickhandle in your basement rather than at a rink. It might be that you follow a workout routine at home rather than at a gym. I have heard of some people setting up workout areas in their garages and other players working out with trainers online. Our town’s local Pee Wee team set up a challenge to shoot and score 2,000 pucks at home for their players through the end of April.
Go easy
Given that these are extenuating circumstances, go easy on yourself.
It is more important to focus on your overall well-being than to fret about what you are not doing or would have been doing were these circumstances different. If that means shooting a set number of pucks a day or taking your dog on a walk, that is great.
This is neither the time to overtrain nor to be hard on yourself. By exercising wisely, and not overtraining, you strengthen your immune system.
Even if done loosely, it can be helpful to follow a schedule during this time. My advice is to choose realistic goals. I told my family, much to their amusement, that I am determined to improve my jump-roping skills by practicing three times a week. My goal is to improve my fitness while also learning something that I have always wanted to learn.
With many previously normal routines now out of our control, people can and do feel increased anxiety. Strategizing ways to pursue activities that you can control will help offset these uncomfortable feelings.
Exercise and specific hockey training is something that you can control. In doing so, you create positive routines that support your health, both physical and mental, and maintain your hockey skills.
Exercise and training also are helpful because they divert us from the news media. It is easy to become overwhelmed and frightened by the news with so much negative and confusing information.
Finally, it can be empowering to realize that we have a choice in how we respond to life situations. Whether that response is on the ice or off, the same principle applies.
By viewing an unexpected situation as an opportunity to do things that you might not have been able to do during the season, you create a positive outlook that can feel empowering. Master a toe drag, a snap shot or some other hockey skill of interest. There are plenty of YouTube hockey instruction videos.
A time like this also can provide an opportunity to pursue something that you would not otherwise have time to do during the season. For example, I know of athletes and families who are playing card games that they have always wanted to learn.
While this is not an ideal time for anyone, here are a few suggestions to help you persevere in a more proactive way:
- Identify and share your emotions.
- Practice self-care.
- Help with household chores.
- Spend time outside daily.
- Maintain optimism.
- Reach out to family, friends and teammates.
- Train as best you can.
Most of all, take care of yourself. Elite hockey players know the value of getting adequate sleep, healthy nutrition, plenty of hydration and connection with family and friends.
Hockey players and families are among the most dedicated and caring people I know. We are all in this together, so let us make the best of it and support one another during this time off the ice.
Dr. Elizabeth Ward is a former Harvard hockey player, licensed psychologist and peak performance coach/consultant. Learn more at www.DrElizabethWard.com.
