Helping your child cope with real-world pressure
Elite athletes, such as those competing in the Olympics, are famous for displaying grace under pressure. After years of working hard toward one goal, part of their training includes handling the intense pressure of being in the spotlight. People of all ages, skill levels, hobbies and professions who aren’t on a world stage feel the heat of performance pressure, too. Teaching kids constructive ways to handle pressure does wonders for performance and mental health.
Pressure isn’t always bad. Sometimes, a little stress can help us work just a little bit harder and do better than we expected. But sometimes, it can feel overwhelming, like it’s dragging us to rock bottom. And for kids competing in sports, if the focus is always on winning, that pressure can harm a child’s mental health. Here are five ways you can help a child deal with pressure when it comes to sports:
1. Have a conversation. We can’t say it enough; you have to regularly talk to kids about how they are thinking and feeling. This will help you see how they handle pressure and are thinking about competition.
2. Practice emotional awareness and regulation. Have you seen Olympic athletes with headphones on right before they get in the pool or take their mark on the track? Talk to your young athlete about what they can do to manage the pressure that they feel – from breathing exercises to listening to their favorite song.
3. Encourage other hobbies and interests. If you find a child in your life is focusing exclusively on one sport or competitive activity, help them find other clubs or groups that they can be involved in. Taking mental breaks away from their primary sport will help them build resilience. Encourage them to practice self-care activities, such as mindfulness to relieve stress.
4. Be careful how you say things. When a coach or parent yells out, “Don’t be a quitter,” it can send the message that if you don’t succeed, you aren’t trying hard enough or there’s something wrong with you. We don’t want young athletes to push so hard that they get injured or grow to dislike their sport. Instead, encourage with statements like, “Do your best,” or “We believe in you.”
5. Give praise for effort and learning skills, even after a loss. Make it a habit to congratulate the team whether they win or lose. Try to think of something that each team member improved on or tried hard at. This is especially important after a game or competition that didn’t go well. Because children are always growing and learning, a game loss today can be a powerful motivator.
Coaches, parents and caregivers have a role to play in encouraging young athletes to take care of their physical and mental health. Because mental health - is health.