Staying Positive
Watching your child compete in youth sports can be thrilling—and stressful. But there are ways you can manage the stress.
It’s always fun and exciting to watch your child participate in youth sports. But it can also be stressful to watch them compete—whether you’re worrying about potential injury or just the disappointment of a loss.
Managing this stress is critical for both you and your student athlete. Staying calm not only supports your well-being, but it also models resilience and composure for your child. Using techniques like deep breathing or visualizing positive moments can help. Reducing your stress levels during games by employing these techniques can improve your entire family’s emotional health. This approach keeps you calm and shows your child that you value their effort and commitment, not just the score.
Maintain a positive attitude—win or lose
After a tough game or a loss, avoid projecting your own disappointment or stress onto your student athlete. Ask open-ended questions to help them share their own perspective about the outcome of the game and keep conversations constructive so that you can both process your emotions in a healthy manner.
Practice self-care and pay it forward
Prioritizing self-care, such as daily exercise, a healthy, balanced diet, sufficient sleep, meditation, a hobby or even therapy can help give you the resilience you need to handle the pressures of being a sports parent. When you take time to support your own mental wellness, it makes it easier for you to offer the reassuring guidance your child needs—and also shows your child that there are ways they can manage their own mental health.
Managing stress and practicing self-care can contribute to a healthier environment for both you and your student athlete. It can also create more awareness about the importance of physical and mental wellness for any sports journey.
As a sports parent, try to include these five self-care practices as part of your regular wellness routine:
- Schedule daily downtime or relaxation time
- Join a hobby club or activity that promotes stress relief
- Set goals for personal fitness and mental wellness
- Incorporate mindfulness techniques like meditation or yoga
- Connect with a support group of other sports parents
Take advantage of online wellness resources
You can also access helpful digital self-care tools and resources such as Calm, Headspace Care, or myStrength.1 These are available to Kaiser Permanente members at no additional cost and support your emotional and mental health and well-being. They can also help you build resilience, set personal goals, and make healthy lifestyle changes that will improve your mood, sleep, relationships, and more.
Discover more health and wellness tips to help you stay on top of your health on Kaiser Permanente’s podcast, the Healthier You. Our Permanente doctors deliver simple and practical strategies that will give you better control over your mental and physical health—and your life.
1 App services may not be covered under your health plan benefits and may not be subject to the terms set forth in your Evidence of Coverage or other plan documents. These services may be discontinued at any time without notice. Psychiatry is not included in the myStrength Complete membership. Telecoaching is not available to members aged 13 to 17. myStrength® is a wholly owned subsidiary of Livongo Health, Inc.
Learn more about Dr. Stacey Neal