After a game, your energy is flying high. Whether you won or lost, you have adrenaline pumping and it takes a while to take your attention away from your sport and return to the real world. But when you do, it's easy to focus your energy on thinking about the previous game instead of preparing for the next. Even though your next game is some time away, you can never prepare too early. Here's how you can rest, recover, and prepare for what's next.

Take an ice bath

This is something that seems small, but makes a world of a difference in recovery. It's commonplace for players to take an ice bath during the week after practices, but after games or competitions spirits are so high that sometimes, athletes go right past it. Taking eight or so minutes after your game can leave you feeling refreshed and ready to play better in the next one.

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Get protein in your system

This suggestion is a fast and easy way to heal your body after a competition. You can drink a protein shake or eat a food that is high in protein at a post-game dinner. Protein is the building block behind muscle repair and getting it in your system is a great thing you can do for recovery.

Related: 3 Grab-and-Go Protein Drinks for Athletes

Get a full night's sleep

After winning a game, it's only natural that people are going to go out and celebrate. This is fine and something that people should do to get a full college experience. However, not sleeping fully the night after a game can put them days behind in their recovery process. No matter when you choose to go to bed, making sure you get seven to nine hours of sleep is a great decision.

Related: Circadian Rhythm, Sleep Bucket, and 8 Sleep Tips for College Athletes

Stay off your feet

After a game, you are spent: your muscles ache, your bones ache, the last thing you want to do is exert yourself physically, so staying off your feet might come naturally. If not, know that it's wise to not put yourself in situations after games where you're going to be using up your already low amount of energy. Finding something relaxing to do is essential to rest up after a game.

Getting caught up in the whirlwind of emotions after a game is something that every player does, and has the right to do. It's important that athletes enjoy their experience but it is possible to still care for their bodies and recover.

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* Originally published on November 3, 2022, by Isaac Haney