March was a month to remember. Not only was it Women’s History Month (go girls!) it was also the month of worldwide lockdowns because of the coronavirus pandemic and a complete cultural shift in social norms. We know that staying healthy is the priority for every person we know and care about right now. Besides maintaining a balanced diet and getting enough sleep,  staying positive is also a key factor to maintaining health and happiness in times of uncertainty when fear circles the news reports and social media feeds. 

Thankfully as athletes, we have faced setbacks before. Perhaps during times of injury, a poor performance in a competition or an illness. Undesirable things happen in sports and we are able to move through it with determination, physical and mental strength, and courage. Now is the time to tap into those natural strengths we possess because of our sports background and experience. Quarantine is an unusual time but it is also a creative time to explore new ways of thinking and behaving as a society. 

When the going gets tough, the tough get going, as they say. But what about if the going gets tough and the tough DON’T get going? Like now. How can the tough get going if there is nowhere to go, nothing to do, and no one to see? This is a time of opportunity. It’s a time to reflect on the uncomfortable feelings of the unknown. Right now I think there’s an important question to ask: what does this quarantine bring up for you?

For me, I see it as an opportunity to explore patience and faith. It’s a time to reconnect with my loved ones that I haven’t checked in with as often as I would like. I’ve never seen myself as a patient person; I’ve always been rushing to the next pool or social event. Like many people, I’ve over-scheduled my calendar and have often sacrificed my health to live life to the fullest. Slowing down was never a priority; in fact, it seemed impossible at times. Now there is no choice. I feel like I’ve been on a rollercoaster that has suddenly broken down and I’m now hanging upside down about to fall out of the ride. Actually, I fell out of the ride a while ago when the pools all shut down. I’ve never missed chlorine so much in my life.

Lately, I’ve been working a lot with the athletes I mentor through RISE about creating gratitude lists. Every day, we write 3-5 things that we are grateful for, in order to shift the perception of our current unfortunate circumstances. Practicing gratitude creates positive feelings that have the ability to turn a bad situation into a learning experience. The list could be as basic as being thankful for sparkling water (which I am!) or being grateful for a supportive family. The practice is simple and effective and I highly recommend trying it. It’s helped me maintain a positive attitude this past month and will continue to help in the months to come. 

During this crisis, I’ve noticed many people are able to empathize with each other on a much deeper level. While empathy is increasing, so is understanding and communication. We are entering a new age of living and it should be celebrated, not feared. Stay safe and stay healthy. 

Want to support young female athletes from home? Go check out  www.keepgirlsinsport.com to take Up2Us Sports’ free Keep Girls In Sport digital curriculum to help shape our future generation.)

Kim Vandenberg is an Up2Us Sports Ambassador. She is a 2008 Olympic bronze medalist, 2007 World Championships silver medalist and 2011 Pan American Games gold medalist. She swam collegiately at UCLA. Follow Kim on Twitter and Instagram.

Read about Kim’s swim coaches helped her become an Olympian in this piece on our blog from 2015.