Back-To-School: How to Find Balance for Your Student-Athlete

 

Summer is a time to be outside, go to camp, swim, play sports, sleep in, and shake off nine months of tough academic and sports schedules. For young athletes, this is some well-earned relaxation and fun. Heading back to school can be an exhausting return to alarm clocks, homework, sports schedules, co-curricular activities, and other responsibilities.

Here are some ways parents and coaches can help student-athletes find the balance that works best for them.

 

Slow and Steady

The school year is not a slow wind up, but rather a shot out of the gate. Schedule fewer co-curriculars at the start of a school year to ease the transition into back-to-back commitments.

Kids sometimes want to do everything all at once, but you can help them by adding activities as they go instead of letting them get overloaded right from the start. Make sure to schedule downtime so student-athletes can recover and re-energize between activities.

 

Fuel Up 

Student-athletes need energy for class and sports, and on top of that, they are often still growing! Make sure young athletes are properly fueled in the morning before school and have access to nutrient-dense snacks so they’ll eat less junk food when they get hungry during the day.

 

Sleep

Sleep is how young athletes restore their minds and recover their bodies as they adapt to training. Ideally, kids should be off personal electronics 75-90 minutes before bedtime. Encourage them to relax with a shower or bath, get in bed with a book, or take a walk with the dog. Higher quality sleep – not just more hours – leads to more productive days, increased focus, and improved mood.