Rebuilding Days: Why Rest is Training
In the midst of the holiday season, many athletes find themselves with more space to rest. Maybe it's an extended break from training, or just an extra day added in for a particular holiday. Yet so many athletes I work with struggle to take this time off. They either feel guilty for not training, feel uncomfortable “doing nothing,” or lose momentum when it’s time to return.
Let's start with one truth: rest is a necessity, not a reward.
When you sleep, your body isn’t shutting down — it’s going to work. Cells repair. Muscles rebuild. Energy systems reset. Your brain consolidates everything you’ve learned. The real growth happens here. Rest is not passive; it’s an active, essential part of training. In fact, without proper sleep, your performance becomes worse than someone who is legally intoxicated.
But rest isn’t only what happens at night. It’s also what happens between training sessions — whether that’s hours, days, or weeks. If you feel guilty about taking time off, try reframing it. Instead of labeling your schedule with “training days” and “off days,” think of them as breakdown days and rebuilding days. Both are purposeful. Both are required.
So this holiday season, lean into your rebuilding days. Give your mind and body the space to regenerate, recalibrate, and return with greater capacity. Rest with intention, and trust that recovery is training too.
Want help developing your mental skills? Need support in integrating your mental skills in training?