Is Taking Time off Just as Important as Practicing?

As a competitive synchronized skater, practice is what determines how much you progress. Over the course of my 10 years of skating, I’ve gradually increased my practice time as my skill level has advanced. For instance, I started out practicing about 1 hour a week, and now I practice for over 20 hours a week—including commuting. As someone who loves spending time practicing both new tricks and refining old skating skills, I’ve learned that it’s also important to let your body rest.

Whenever I practice week after week without any rest days in between, I begin to notice my body and mind becoming fatigued. For example, it gets harder to walk long distances, maintain stamina, and focus during school. These signs of exhaustion vary from person to person, but when activities that are usually easy start to feel challenging, it’s often a sign of burnout.

To prevent burnout, which is common among athletes, it’s crucial to take rest days. A rest day means no practice, and instead, you focus on activities like stretching, resting, or catching up on schoolwork. During these days, make sure to listen to your body by eating healthy foods, hydrating and taking naps if needed. When I take time off from skating practice, it gives me a chance to unwind and focus on self-care. I return to the rink feeling more energized, confident, and well-rested.

I know that taking rest days may feel unproductive to many athletes. Let’s face it, we're not sweating it out or pushing ourselves physically; instead, we’re doing something quieter and more enjoyable at home. While this might seem unproductive, try to shift your mindset and view it as a goal to take care of yourself. By focusing on self-care, it becomes a more meaningful and productive use of your time. Once you’ve achieved that goal, you can return to your rigorous practice schedule.

As athletes, it may feel like continuous practice is the only path to progress. However, taking rest days is equally important for muscle recovery, injury prevention, and mental rejuvenation. In this sense, rest is just as essential as practice.