What To Do When You've Got Volleyball Burnout

In my last blog I talked about ways to avoid competitive burnout; however, I didn't realize until after the fact that there were very few suggestions in there for players who are already suffering from burnout and hanging on by their fingernails. It's important to understand that burnout isn't "all in your head", and it's not something that's going to go away if you ignore it. Competitive volleyball, particularly if you play year round, can take a tremendous physical and mental toll on your body. It's not all that different from CEOs of Fortune 500 corporations that suffer from burnout-you're mentally and physically exhausted, and that takes a toll on both your body and your performance.

The first thing to do is consider the reasons behind your burnout. Are you spending so much time on the courts that you don't have time to do anything else? It might be time to consider cutting back on your training schedule and/or taking a season off to rest up and catch up on the rest of your life. It's also important to make sure you're getting enough sleep. If you're dashing from work or classes to practice, then staying up until midnight cleaning or doing homework, you're going to burnout quickly. It's important to find a balance.

Take a look at your diet and training schedule. Are you eating for maximum nutrition or just grabbing what's convenient because it happens to be available? Make sure you're drinking plenty of water and eating vegetables and lean meats rather than cheeseburgers and french fries. Also, make sure practice isn't the only exercise you get in a day. Simple things, such as a walk (or a jog) around the block, or a few hours spent on a bicycle, will make you feel less stressed-and because you're still working your muscles you're going to be a lot less tired after training!

If personal problems are taking the joy out of your game, deal with them as soon as possible. If you have a problem with a member of your team, talk to your coach. Nothing should be allowed to rob you of the joy of playing, and if you're burning out it's important that you nip it in the bud so you can get back to the love of the game.

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