Stress in Sports and Academics
Next month, August 15th, is National Relaxation Day. A special day recognized in the United States as a day to think about stress, and focus on relaxing and finding calm in the daily stress of life. When it comes to sports and academics, more and more pressure is being loaded onto athletes. Especially for youth athletes. It is worthing asking yourself how much stress your child is dealing with, and how he or she is dealing with it.
Is it that common?
Research shows that trainers believe over 80% of student athletes have issues with being overly stressed. When you think about it, there are a lot of things that kids are having to deal with. There is the pressure to perform to their own standard, including what their coaches, trainers, and parents expect of them. There is the concern of letting their friends and teammates down, or disappointing their parents. Many athletes have fears of being hurt, of failing, or being benched. It is also no secret that in the adolescent years kids are dealing with a whirlwind of physical and emotional changes. Add into that the pressure of balancing academics, and you have a perfect storm for a person being overwhelmed.
Good Stress
It is true, a certain amount of stress or worry is normal, and can certainly be useful in keeping someone sharp and motivated. However, it doesn’t take much to push that to a level that is hurtful. It can very easily become a major hurdle, actually holding athletes back from enjoying their sport and performing to the best of their ability.
It can even pop up at unexpected times. I have seen a number of athletes that seemed fine during practice, but would fall apart in competition. When the pressure to perform is on, it gets triggered and sends their thoughts spiralling into all the negative “what if’s?”.
Can Mental Toughness Training Help?
When it comes to stress, mental coaching can be an incredible benefit. Not only in learning how the mind and body work together, but also knowing how to master stress and difficult emotions. Utilizing simple, powerful techniques to eliminate or overcome stress can be a game changer for kids. When I work with clients we get to the core of what is interfering with them, and then I teach techniques specific to their circumstances. Strategies to help them get back to a place of calm, focus, and confidence. A place where they can find enjoyment and perform to their full potential.
Whether it is sports, academics, or just everyday life, feelings of stress and overwhelm are not things that your child has to struggle with. With the right skills, he or she can approach life with excitement and enjoyment.
Keep rocking,
Gregg – The Mental Game Specialist
