Take Care of Your Soul This Off-Season
There’s no doubt that your summer workout packet includes everything from conditioning, strength training, all the way to stretching and skill work. However, what your coaches probably didn’t include was a summer soul-care packet. What is your plan to take care of your soul this summer? Here are a few things we’ve come up with that we think could be helpful.
1. Take a Social Media Break
Did you know that 98% of 18-22 year olds use social media every day? And college athletes spend an estimated 2-4 hours scrolling daily. That’s a lot of time and mental energy!
Research shows that just one week without social media can improve wellbeing, sharpen focus, and reduce anxiety. Imagine what God could do with that reclaimed time and attention! Consider setting aside a week—or even just a few days—to unplug and reconnect with God, your purpose, and the people right in front of you.
Soul-Care Challenge: Choose a week this summer to log out of social media. Use that time to pray, read Scripture, or journal about what God is teaching you.
2. Try a New Hobby
When your identity is tied so closely to your sport, it’s easy to forget there’s a whole world outside of training and competition. But did you know that 100% of athletes with broader interests outside of sport are more resilient and maintain better mental health, even under pressure? That’s a stat worth paying attention to!
And it’s not just athletes—98% of people who have hobbies are less likely to experience burnout than those who don’t. Hobbies give your mind and soul a chance to breathe, create, and discover joy in new ways.
There’s no limit to the new things you can try. Here are a few ideas to spark your curiosity:
Hiking or trail running
Photography or vlogging
Cooking or baking
Bird watching or nature journaling
Kayaking or paddleboarding
Sewing or crafting
Disc golf or ultimate frisbee
Soul-Care Challenge: Pick one new hobby to try this summer. Invite a friend or teammate to join you, and see how God might use this new experience to refresh your spirit and broaden your perspective.
3. Develop Spiritual Habits
For most athletes, attending church on Sundays during the season is tough—games, travel, and training often get in the way. That’s why the off-season is a golden opportunity to invest in your spiritual community and build habits that will sustain you all year long.
Did you know that 80% of athletes say the off-season is the best time to form new habits? Use this time to find a rhythm of prayer, Bible reading, and meditation that can carry over into your busier seasons.
Even more encouraging, 75% of athletes who pray regularly report lower anxiety levels during competition compared to those who don’t. Spiritual habits aren’t just good for your soul—they’re good for your mental game, too!
Here are a few ways to get started:
Join a small group or Bible study: Build relationships and accountability.
Set a daily prayer time: Even five minutes can make a big difference.
Try scripture meditation: Pick a verse each week and reflect on it.
Attend church regularly: Reconnect with your faith community.
Keep a prayer journal: Write down your prayers, worries, and moments of gratitude.
Soul-Care Challenge: Choose one spiritual habit to focus on this summer. Ask God to help you grow in consistency and joy.
Remember, forming spiritual habits now will make it easier to stay connected to God when life gets hectic. Let this off-season be the time you strengthen your soul for the seasons ahead!