Finding balance is one of the key elements to a happy life. Youth athletes often struggle to balance school, sports, and maintaining happiness. Athletic standards are increasingly competitive, which puts pressure on athletes to perform. Physical abilities are often enhanced by good mental health. Over the past decade, we’ve seen increased recognition of mental health in the sports world. As a former athlete myself, I often had to choose between succeeding in school, on the track, or keeping up with my relationships. This sacrifice increases anxiety by limiting our access to a balanced life.
I would argue that fatigue is one of the biggest obstacles for young athletes. A comprehensive understanding of our bodies is compelling in helping athletes identify their weaknesses. Such experience requires education from both parents and coaches, who often manage or support the lives of these young athletes. Teenagers seem plagued by endless fatigue because they don’t understand the importance of sleep. Coaches can sometimes forget that their students are not just athletes but also people. Being chronically tired is detrimental to most aspects of our lives, and understanding sleep helped me overcome anxiety. I think encouraging a healthy lifestyle for young athletes would help them succeed and be happy.
Women are also dealing with monthly periods, with limited access to menstrual advocates. I have noticed that periods are a taboo topic even among young women. Many young women struggle to understand their changing bodies and hormones. These changes can directly impact performance and overall happiness. I would love to see more advocacy regarding menstrual health because it’s an evitable reality for many people. For girl athletes, finding balance requires taking time for self-care, including meditation, physical therapy, or simply alone time. Every athlete should have the resources to prioritize things that enrich their lives accurately.
I want to highlight some positive traits learned from concurrently participating in sports and school. Discipline becomes a part of daily life for many athletes expected to be timely, respectful, and, most importantly, succeed. I would argue that procrastination is a young athlete’s worst enemy because it inhibits their potential. Teamwork is another trait learned through sports and can be very helpful in the future (workforce). As a young adult, I would recommend that young athletes use organization and time management as their foundational frameworks. I emphasize that enjoying rest time and having fun are the essential parts of finding balance.