Taking a break in jiu jitsu can be daunting and discouraging. You feel like you are falling behind in your goals and that you’re wasting time away. Then when you return to the mat, you feel out of shape and like you lost all your skills. Sometimes things out of our control prevent us from training and there’s only so much you can do. This post will help you see the positive side of taking some time off the mat and hopefully get you ready for your return.
This post is all about how taking time off the mats can be helpful in your training
1. Taking a break in jiu jitsu could help bring a refreshed mindset to your jiu jitsu game
Time off of the mats allows you to pause, take a look around, and breathe. Sometimes we get so tunnel-visioned into what we are working on that we can’t see what else is going on around us. When you take a break and change your focus to something else, it allows new ideas and energy to flow in. That new energy might encourage you to try new things that you wouldn’t have thought of before.
2. Taking a break in jiu jitsu could help increase your flow during your rolls
After taking some time off the mat, you might also see an increase in your jiu jitsu “flow”. When you come back refreshed, you could find yourself trying new things and different moves. You won’t find yourself so focused on what you’re stuck on, but rather what you want to play around with. You’ll release the control and intensity you had before. You might notice your rolls to be more open and fluid, rather than closed and restrictive.
3. Quality Over Quantity
Just as we might experience burnout at work, we can experience burnout in training jiu jitsu as well. And just like how productivity increases after taking a break in the office, the same can be said for jiu jitsu. A short break might bring new energy and focus to your training, leading you to higher quality level training. Instead of just being there to be there, you’re there with intention and purpose.
So many advise us to put in the hours of work, which is true, but sometimes quality is better than quantity. You only have so much time and energy in a day, and it’s important to use it strategically. A sustainable approach to achieving our goals is to use our resources intelligently for the longevity of our progress.
Conclusion
Taking a break in jiu jitsu gets a bad rap because many think it sets you back in your progress in jiu jitsu. I have found that taking a short break can actually improve jiu jitsu in a lot of ways. With the increase in creativity, flow and quality training, you’ll find your training to be more meaningful and impactful. You’ll find your training to be more intentional. You’ll make progress with your jiu jitsu and realize taking a short break in jiu jitsu might deserve more credit than it gets.
