“‘November is the most disagreeable month in the whole year,’ said Margaret, standing at the window one dull afternoon, looking out at the frostbitten garden.” — from Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
In most places across the country October is an inconsistent month — some days are cool and blustery while others are as humid and warm as mid-July. But once November hits it brings cold weather, freezing rain and gray skies. When all you want to do is curl up by the fireplace, eat apple pie and watch Netflix, how does a tennis player stay motivated to keep training? MyTennisLessons lessons gives you 5 ways you can beat the winter blues and push yourself to keep practicing.
Some like it hot
You wake up in the morning and feel a draft coming from your window. The task of getting out of bed seems like the most arduous undertaking in the world. You’re definitely hitting the snooze button. But wait, you have a tennis lesson this morning. Should you call your instructor and feign illness?
Instead of crawling back under the covers, give yourself a reason to get up. Create some comfort outside the bed by taking a hot shower, making a cup of tea or coffee, and putting on wool socks or other warming garments when you wake up. By warming yourself up this way you’ll be ready to start your day and go to your tennis lesson.
You’ve got a friend in me
Nothing helps you stay motivated like having a friend keep you in check. Pick a tennis partner to hold you accountable for sticking with training. Remind one another about practices a few hours before they are scheduled and consider signing up for semi-private tennis lessons so that you can train together. You can also schedule weekly conditioning activities together like runs, lifts or other workout classes to mix up your fitness routine between tennis lessons.
Treat yo’self
Did you know that dressing better can make you feel better? A 2012 study from researchers at Northwestern University found that subjects performed significantly better on a test when they believed they were wearing lab coats as compared with another group who were told they were artists smocks. So don your “lab coat” by purchasing some high-tech tennis clothes for winter. Snag some threads like those worn by Nike-sponsored Roger Federer and Maria Sharapova or buy Adidas attire worn by Caroline Wozniacki and Andy Murray. If Northwestern’s “enclothed cognition” applies to tennis players, maybe dressing like a pro will make you feel like one!
Make a list and check it twice
Set small goals for yourself to stay motivated. Want to learn a kick serve? Finally beat your teammate who plays above you on the lineup? Make a list of what you want to accomplish this month and have a date by which you hope to achieve each objective. Setting goals and checking them off your list will give you extra motivation to keep working hard. And don’t forget to reward yourself when you accomplish each goal!
The gift that keeps on giving
If you’ve never played tennis before, November is the time to start. Don’t be sluggish this winter; get off the couch and get on the court! You’ll thank yourself for staying active and won’t feel guilty eating that extra helping at Thanksgiving dinner.
And for you avid tennis players: Tis the season for feeling thankful and giving gifts. Have a family member who you think should try tennis? Through MyTennisLessons you can give someone a gift card for tennis lessons. Just knowing your family who lives over the river and through the woods is having fun on the tennis court will keep you motivated to get on the court yourself. November is no time to give up on your tennis training. Get started with MyTennisLessons and say “yes” to tennis lessons today!
