If you are an active and sport-loving mom, you know how difficult it is to try and fit practice sessions. Especially, time for racket sports as a busy mom with what is always a very packed schedule.
Between family, work, and all the other unforeseen things that come along with motherhood, literally, it is hard to carve out time for oneself and one’s hobbies. But with a little bit of planning and imagination, it is certainly achievable, and because of it, one would feel significantly stronger, more energetic, and better balanced.
How busy moms can find the time to properly practice, improve their skills, and be active without feeling overwhelmed? Read the article below.
Why You Needed to Take Time for Yourself With Training And Exercise
Let’s face it: moms make sure everyone else gets their needs met before themselves. Finding time for yourself, even just a short session on the court, is important mentally and physically. Racket sports are an excellent way to get your heart pumping and to let out some stress in a fun break from your daily grind. Plus, keeping your skills sharp and challenging yourself in new ways can boost your confidence-something every mom could use more of!
Time-Saving Tips to Help Busy Moms Squeeze Practice Sessions into Crowded Schedules
Finding time for racket sports may be a challenge, but with a few simple approaches, you can manage to find some bits that do not interfere with daily life. Find ways to fit those precious sessions of practice into the following list:
Plan Around Peak Energy Times
Identify when, during the day, you have most of your energy. Many moms say that it is early morning or right after kids have gone off to school. Doing your practice sessions at these times, even for 10 or 15 minutes, will help you stay in and feel more energized.
Involve Your Children Whenever Possible
If you don’t have childcare or just can’t carve out any time for yourself, bring the kids along! Many courts or complexes have a family-friendly area in which you can play while they watch or do activities nearby that are appropriate for their age. Plus, including your kids might just be a fun way to spend family time and introduce them to this great sport.
Establish Boundaries and Inform Family
Communicate to your family how important this time is to you. Whether it be explaining to your spouse or setting expectations with your kids, communicate your need for “mom’s practice time.” Setting the boundaries-even if it is just 30 minutes once or twice a week-will make a big difference. The more you communicate that it’s important, the more your family will respect that time.
Getting the Most Out of Short Sessions: Training Tips for 10-30 Minute Practice Sessions
When you’re having a busy day, every minute will count. The key to productive practice sessions is focusing on the quality rather than the quantity. Here are some tips for maximizing those 10-30 minute practice sessions:
Quick, Efficient Warm Up
A warm-up doesn’t have to take a lot of time. As few as a couple of minutes is enough, including time for some light jogging, jumping jacks, or quick stretches in order to prepare your body for motion. For racket sports, a few minutes of shadow swings-either just like your strokes in a match but without a ball-is another approach that gets you mentally ready and reduces your chances of injury.
Price of One Skill at a Time
Instead, focus on one thing at a time in your practice sessions. In one 10-minute session, work on your serve; in another short session, improve your footwork. You will begin to notice improvements way faster this way, without getting overwhelmed.
Use Solo Drills When You’re Short on Partners
If you don’t have a partner, use a wall to practice. Wall drills are great for improving consistency and accuracy in tennis or pickleball, and you don’t have to reserve a court to do it! The wall is always available, and it gives instant feedback on your shots.
Developing a weekly racket sports schedule that works for moms is important.
It takes some planning to balance family time, work, and personal time.
Presented here is an example of a weekly schedule that can help moms accommodate racket sports, as well as helpful tips to make their racket sports regimen sustainable.
Choosing a Realistic Frequency
Start with a goal that feels achievable. Maybe that’s one long session over the weekend, and two short ones during the week. Quality tops quantity, so you don’t have to feel like you should be on the court every day.
Sample Schedule
Monday: 10-minute dynamic warm-up at home, shadow swings, make sure to ‘key-in’ the footwork.
Wednesday: Session of wall drills for 20 minutes or solo practice for stroke improvement
Saturday or Sunday: 1-hour session with partner or group (make this a family outing if possible)
Plan Around the Family Activities To Find time for racket sports as a mom
Watch for those pockets of time when the kids might be occupied, perhaps at after-school activities or over at a friend’s house. That consists of free time to practice without guilt or hurry. You can work it out and fit it in together with your family routine instead of sacrificing some moments.
Establish Accountability
Accountability is one of the greatest motivators. Set up a regular match or practice with a friend, or call a local group that plays on the weekends and join them. Having to commit will make it easier to actually do what you say you’re going to do.
Embrace Progress Over Perfection And Find Time for Racket Sports as a Busy Mom
Well, while being a mom and a racket sport amateur can be all about juggling, it will be well worth it: Every practice session, every 10-minute or hourly session you put in brings you closer to improving your skills and taking care of yourself.
Of course, this is all about having fun, enjoying the game, and keeping active-not about becoming a professional. So go ahead, take up your racket, and get on the court. Enjoy every session as an opportunity for improvement and de-stressing, and in no way be sometimes shy of making time for what you love. After all, a happy, healthy mom is the best kind of mom!
Check out more tips at our tennis school website, we are launching our app soon and make it easier for everyone to get started on your racket sport journey!
