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Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller spoke on what it means to feel truly isolated as the U.S. grapples with the coronavirus pandemic.
In a piece for The Players' Tribune, Waller shared some of his background as a recovering addict and having been exposed to feeling truly alone during a dark period in his life. The breakout Raiders tight end also shared his own personal tips for maintaining mental health and wellness.
From doing core workouts to subscribing to audio recordings and listening to music, Waller listed ways in which he tries to establish a sense of normalcy.
Waller, entering his third year with the Raiders, also emphasized the need for reflection and showing gratitude:
No matter what, I will not succumb to fear, and I will not allow anything to take the joy and passion I have for life and living. What I’m saying is: Don’t forget to smile! Laugh! Crack jokes on the ones you’re quarantined with. Blast your favorite playlist, and have your own dance party. Though fear and unpredictability surround us on every side, we don’t have to be held captive by them.
We can still choose gratitude. We can still have dinner with our loved ones and remember how blessed we are. I challenge you to go the next 24 hours of your life without complaining, even though you have every reason to. If you can be content with your life, when seemingly everything is being stripped from you, imagine how much greater your life will be when we persevere through this dark time — like we always do.
These are tough times for the country and the world, especially because the pandemic brings a somewhat scary sense of the unknown.
But Waller, who plenty of experience overcoming demons and hardship, is doing his part to encourage and promote positivity while the Raiders pass-catcher finds creative ways to stay motivated and afloat.
