Participating in organized sports can have a
positive impact
on the mental health of teenagers. Benefits include higher academic
achievement, self-esteem, and social skills.
However, the pressure to excel in competitive athletics can be intense. It
can create anxiety and negative feelings, resulting in self-doubt and poor
performance on the field and in the classroom. It can even lead to
depression and substance use.
Quieting the Mind Chatter
At the core of teen anxiety is a combination of external pressure from
parents, teachers, coaches, and peers, as well as self-created pressure,
according to
Mitch Greene, Ph.D., licensed clinical and sport psychologist. Often, teens become preoccupied
with their game performance, trying to fit in, or getting college
scholarships to reimburse parents for the time and money invested in them.
Dr. Greene calls this anxiety “mind chatter” ― negative thoughts and
self-doubt that cloud the brain and make it hard to think clearly.
“When a teen’s mind chatter takes over, fears often become exaggerated,” Dr.
Greene says. “Sports can already carry a lot of weight with identity
entangled in performance. When a student-athlete’s mind chatter becomes the
predominant voice they hear, that weight can increase and create even more
anxious, negative feelings. My goal is to help teens realize that there is
more to the game than how they play and what the results tell them, by
walking them through the process of mastering their mindset.”
Putting Sports into Perspective
It can be challenging to support teens who have sports-related anxiety.
There are often many factors contributing to their feelings. Dr. Greene
suggests the following techniques to encourage teens to open up:
• Less talking, more listening. Make time to listen to your
teen’s thoughts about sports. Giving them an opportunity to share freely can
help alleviate their anxiety.• Creating a “no sports” conversation zone.Set a time in the
day when your teen knows sports will not be discussed. For a teen who is
struggling with sports-related anxiety, knowing there is more to life than
sports can benefit their mental well-being.• Easing up on prioritizing sports. Sometimes teens just want
to be teens. While playing sports has benefits, it’s also time-consuming.
Make sure your teen has time to participate in academic, creative, or social
opportunities.• Emphasizing the benefits of playing and the “small wins.”
Talk about the feel-good rewards of physical activity, teamwork, and having
fun, regardless of winning or losing.• Supporting their decisions. Sometimes continuing in a sport
may be physically or mentally unhealthy. If your teen decides to take a
break from the sport or change course altogether, offer support by reminding
them that their identity is more than their sport.
While playing sports offers many benefits, it can also come with intense
pressure. If your teen athlete is feeling stressed on or off the field, one
of the best ways to help them overcome sports anxiety is to let them share
their feelings.
For more information about mental health, self-care strategies, and
where to find help, visit
ibx.com/knowyourmind.
This content was originally published on IBX
Insights.