You frequently hear about the physical health benefits of sports, but what about their impact on mental health? While all student-athletes face the task of juggling academics and athletics, it is not an easy task.
“I often struggle more in school while in sports because it’s hard to focus on two things at once,” said junior lacrosse and field hockey player Emily Graves.
Sophomore football player Kenny Klein said that this struggle can extend to the off-season as well. “There is more pressure in the off-season because if I don’t work hard enough, I won’t get playing time in-season,” he said.
Many student-athletes feel similar pressure as their seasons begin. “The start of the season is always the hardest because my body is readjusting,” said cheerleader Ja’Kiyah Johnson.
The school-sports balance can be especially tricky when you compete in multiple sports or take advanced classes. “It can be especially difficult to get all my work done on game nights because we get home so late,” said cheerleader Emma Sample.
Late game nights and daily practices, as well as variations in academic loads, can affect student athletes’ stress levels as well. “My junior year was definitely the hardest because I had all my harder classes and was stressing about applying for colleges,” said field hockey player and senior Katie Bond.
Combining sports with intense classes such as AP or PVCC dual enrollment classes often requires even more work, making it hard to accomplish everything while still getting a proper night’s sleep. Lack of sleep and extra stress can also affect performance in-game. “When I’m on the field, my mind is clear; however, if I’m super stressed, it can affect how I play,” said Graves.
As a result, being on top of one’s “mental game” is key. Getting a good night’s sleep and starting each day with a positive mindset can help you juggle multiple goals, showing that one’s “mental game” can be just as important as the physical one.
“Mental preparation and stability are just as important as physical development. If student-athletes are stressed, their bodies will be tight and their minds will not be focused on a good performance,” said Varsity Football Head Coach Mitchell Pace.
Still, despite the pressures that come with athletic participation, these struggles can be worth it and support a person’s motivation to succeed. “Sports make me want to work harder,” said Graves.
