High school sports used to be all about having fun and learning to work together as a team. This is rapidly changing, and many young athletes now feel that taking part in sports is not so much fun anymore. We really need to ask ourselves if we have made high school sports too professional. Could it be that we are losing some great young athletes because we are placing too much pressure on them? It could very well be the case.Mental Health and Young Athletes
It is tough enough to take part in athletic events and sports when you are an adult. Imagine what it must be like for young people who are trying to cope with school commitments and taking part in sports at the same time? Putting too much pressure on young athletes can quickly lead to mental health problems. Yes, it is important to exercise, and fantastic when you do well, but participating in the first place is more important.
Anorexia in Young Athletes
A plethora of factors plays a role when it comes to young athletes and mental health. Do successful young athletes need to pose in skimpy bikinis and promote diet shakes? Body image is part of the mental health picture when it comes to teens and athleticism. Young female athletes are particularly influenced by looks and body image. Maybe professional athletes should focus on sport and avoid doubling up as bikini models.
Anorexia in young athletes is now very common. It is a serious mental health issue that can stay with someone for the rest of their lives.
Less Pressure More Fun
Less Pressure More Fun
It is about time we went back to basics and concentrated on having fun instead. Teen athletes often put a lot of pressure on themselves. Pressure can also come from fellow athletes. We all like to do as well as we can, but young athletes often try to compete more against each other than adult athletes.
They want the best results and some even train excessively. Training too much can lead to both physical and mental health issues which will affect school work. When you work with young athletes, it is important to see the full picture. Treat the young person with respect and make sure he or she is happy to keep up with training schedules as well as academic schedules.
Teens like to say yes and as a result, often take on too much. It is up to adult coaches to act responsibly. Looking after both physical and mental health is not easy, but a parental style approach often works the best. Try combining training with fun activities, make sure school work can fit in easily and that all young athletes get time off. If you can do so, you may even come across some fantastic talents.
Remember that it is better to encourage than to push an athlete. This is very important when you work with young athletes who are also having to deal with the trials and tribulations of growing up. Getting it right often means that you have made a friend for life and giving someone a positive attitude towards their own mental health.
