We have all seen them. Those annoying hockey visors that fog up when exposed to the air. If your visor starts to fog up, simply put on your helmet, and blow on it. The excessive perspiration that often occurs when playing hockey will quickly clear it up. Sometimes even just taking a quick breather during a game can clear your visor.
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Make Sure That Your Mask Is Clean
When washing your face before going to bed, make sure that your mask is clean. Dirt that gets mixed into your facial hair will only make the hair stickier, and more difficult to remove during the daily cleanse. Always use a fresh, clean mask each time you play to keep the hair smooth and in place.
Practice At Least Twice A Week
It is important to practice frequently, but not too often. You need to work your muscles and keep your skills sharp. Besides, overtraining can lead to more injuries.
Try to practice at least twice a week. Ideally, you should practice three or four times a week. Sometimes five or six days a week is needed to maintain top physical form.
Eat To Nourish Your Muscles
Muscles need fuel to grow and perform at their best. The human body is not made to sit still all day, and many sports require a lot of energy. Playing sports also makes us more active and burns calories, which further fuels our muscles. Good nutrition is therefore essential for athletes.
Athletes who eat the right food increase their energy and performance, which in turn, makes them happier and more relaxed. Research has also shown that a well-balanced diet can reduce the risk of certain diseases, like diabetes and heart disease. So in addition to fueling your muscles, eating the right food can also help you stay healthy.
Consume Enough Water
We are always being told to stay hydrated. This is especially important for athletes, whose bodies are more prone to dehydration than others. Dehydration makes us more sluggish and less active. So it is in your best interest to stay hydrated. You also need to drink enough to replenish the fluids that your body has lost through sweating. Try to drink eight glasses of water per day to stay hydrated. If you are not sure how much hydration your body needs, your coach can help you figure it out.
Use Sunscreen
Protecting your skin is one of the best ways to prevent injuries and premature aging. The human body needs vitamin D to stay healthy and strong. Unfortunately, too much sun exposure can cause more harm than good. Studies have shown that too much UV radiation can lead to skin cancer and other health problems. So, sunscreen is the best defense against the sun’s damage. Broad Spectrum UVA/UVB protection is also advisable to block all harmful UV rays.
When going outside, covering up with a warm jacket and gloves can also help keep your fingers and toes from freezing. Remember to reapply sunscreen frequently during the day, especially after swimming or sweating excessively. You should also cleanse your skin with an antioxidant serum to prevent further cell damage and improve skin tone. Antioxidants can combat the free radicals that our bodies naturally produce as a result of normal metabolic activity. Free radicals are small molecules that can damage our bodies, particularly our skin, in various ways. The best part is that antioxidants can help improve our skin’s natural defense against these molecules. So in addition to shielding your skin from UV radiation, antioxidants can protect your skin against damage caused by free radicals, which play a major role in the aging process. If you want to keep your skin looking as young as possible, follow these simple steps!
Wash And Dry Your Equipment After Every Use
Always wash and dry your equipment after every use. You must do this to keep the skates and gear in top shape. Excessive washing leads to drying out and weakening of the materials. This can result in the need to replace equipment soon anyway. The best way to keep your equipment in good condition is by washing and drying it regularly. Some equipment, like hockey sticks, are also best kept in the wet garage or attic, as being wet is best for their longevity.
Watch Your Timing
Hockey is a fast-paced game, which means that you must be able to respond quickly to situations as they arise. If you are not quick enough, you will lose out on the game. However, this does not mean that you should try to be a robot and always do the exact same motion over and over again. Instead, you should learn to vary your movements and work on your instincts. Your coach can help you find the correct timing for all of your movements, so that you can play at your full potential.
Learn How To Take Breaks
Taking regular breathers during games is very important because it allows your body to recover and prepare for the next action. However, this does not mean that you should take lengthy breaks between each play. Instead, you should learn to play smart, and only take breaks when needed. The human body needs plenty of energy to perform at its best, and too many breaks can lead to overuse injuries and decreased productivity.
Check In With Your Doctor
If you have been playing sports for a while and suddenly start to feel unwell, or experience health problems, it could be time for a checkup. Your doctor can help you diagnose what is wrong, and if necessary, put on a course of treatment to get you back on your feet again. Remember to tell your doctor about all your athletic activities, so that he can take this into account when diagnosing your health complaints.