Joining the New Home Team

Moving to a new town and school is a stressful process for all those involved, but especially for the young athlete. Not only does the child have to uproot and leave the relationships he or she built before, but the youngster also has to reintegrate into a completely new territory, team, coach and system. Sports team websites can be a good source of information on how to handle the situation, but they won’t address some of the specific things you must do to help your adolescent cope.

Fortunately, sports are actually a great way to make a transition into a new home. For a youngster who is uncertain about whether or not he or she should join the team in the new town, here are a few reminders:

• It will expose the young athlete to new friends
  Making friends is one of the hardest things for new students to do. Often times, they feel ostracized, excluded and unwelcome - even if it is only in their own mind. But joining a local team can foster a sense of belonging and value. It is essential to develop that confidence as soon as possible, because if left unchecked, loneliness and the feeling of rejection can lead to anxiety and depression. By becoming involved in the new team, your kid can work with new faces toward achieving a common goal and make some friends along the way.
• It will take your child’s mind off the stress of leaving
  Half of moving is leaving behind friends and familiarity. This can sting, especially for a young person who is unaccustomed to upheaval. But playing a sport can refocus the youth’s mind toward a productive and worthwhile endeavor. If you allow your youngster to dwell on the place he or she just left, the child will have difficulty moving forward, forming new bonds and being productive. A sports team can address that.
• Exercise increases endorphins
  Working out for even 20 to 30 minutes will release neurotransmitters called endorphins, the body’s natural pain reducers and anti-depressants, according to Livestrong. Exercise is a common treatment for mild depression. So joining a local club or school team will physiologically put your child in a better mood and allow him or her to cope with the stress more readily.

It is never an easy thing, but by following these reasons and with some research on sports websites, you can help your child learn to love his or her new home through athletics.