While many people are affected by stress, I feel that athletes are affected at much greater rates than their non-athletic counterparts. Balancing school, sports, keeping their starting spots, family expectations and more are constantly on top of mind.
When I played DI basketball, I remember stressing about so many things:
- Worrying that many family was safe and healthy (I went to school out of state)
- Making sure I didn’t get injured on the court
- Keeping my grades up
- Worrying about work- how would I find a job after graduation with little work experience?
Now when I get super stressed, I don’t to ignore it like I did in school. Instead I make time address what’s bothering me and find an activity that helps me relax. Below are a few ideas that any athlete can use to help manage stress.
Strategies to Help Athletes Combat Stress
Write. Journaling can be done on your phone, in a book, on your computer, mostly anywhere you go. There are many benefits to journaling which include improving your mental health, inspiring creativity, boosting your mood, and much more.
Walk. If you’re an athlete, working out is not something I would advise on top of your current fitness expectations. Instead, going for low impact walk on your favorite trail or walk can work wonders.
At one job I was lucky enough to work a few blocks away from a beach. Being able to step outside and walk next to the ocean helped center me and lower my stress levels.
Draw. You don’t have to be talented to take out a pen or pencil to draw. You also don’t need art equipment- using an app on your phone, you can sketch, relieve stress, improve your fine motor skills, and release healthy emotions… all by drawing.
Listen to Music. Music can be very therapeutic and help boost your mood. When I’m super stressed, I ditch my podcasts and open a playlist that helps me feel better. Within minutes my mood lightens and I can focus on getting back on track.
Cook. Cooking can also help you release stress. When I was in college, I had one kitchen on my dorm room floor. When time permitted- I’d make easy things like sandwiches, oatmeal, mac and cheese, baked potatoes, and other treats that reminded me of home.
Meditate. I wish I started meditating when I was younger. Meditation is great because you can do it mostly anywhere, at anytime, for as long as you want. Using an app to help guide your session can frame your thoughts and reduce stress.
Sleep. Getting proper rest comes with so many healing benefits. Getting consistant and adequate sleep helps you fight the effects of stress.
Unplug from social media. I’ve gone on many social media blackouts when I’m really stressed. If you have a habbit of doom scrolling, try stepping away from your social feeds for a bit.
Practice gratitude. Focusing on what I have, what I’ve accomplished, and all of the blessings in my life helps me every day, especially when I feel overwhelmed. On days when I’m stressed I list out all of the things I’m appreciative for, a practice that helps me put things into perspective and helps shift my focus away from stress and towards good things.
Speak to a professional. Sometimes you can do everything within your power to minimize stress and it still isn’t enough. If you need help, seek out the help of a councilor or on-campus resources like a support group. When you’re in a really tough spot, there is no shame in getting the help you need.