From the Winter Olympics, to the NBA All-Star weekend, to the Super Bowl, we're deep in a season of sports. Watching your favorite athletes is great, but there are so many mental health and emotional wellbeing benefits to playing sports. Student athletes report higher perceived self-esteem, are more likely to stick to a healthy diet, and are more likely to pursue higher education. Other benefits include:
- Increased physical activity
- Better sleep
- Boosted confidence
- Strong sense of community and teamwork
Unfortunately, there are plenty of challenges for student athletes, especially when it comes to their mental health. There’s emotional pressure associated with winning, losing, and individual performance. The risk of physical injury is also a cause for concern. Student athletes can confuse winning with their own self-worth. They can become overly sensitive to criticism or feel anxious when mistakes are made. It's important to document signs of being stressed out as a student athlete. Watch out for:
- Feeling on edge
- Being checked out at school
- Experiencing panic attacks or trouble breathing
- Feeling increasingly agitated
- Avoiding practice
- Difficulty sleeping
- Upset stomach, loss of appetite, headache
- Or any substance abuse
Losing interest in things you enjoy is a big red flag, as well as changes in mood, appetite, or sleep. If you experience any of this, be sure to consult a trusted in adult, or a mental health professional. Some tips to overcome these challenges are:
- Cultivating a sense of self outside of sports
- Building rest and recovery into your training schedule
- Setting meaningful and achievable goals
- Focusing on learning new skills, growing as a person, making friends, and having fun!
Source: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/student-athlete-mental-health