It’s easy for athletes to feel overwhelmed, exhausted and emotionally drained, and you feel as if you can’t keep up with the demands of life. What happens when it all becomes too much? They get burnt out.
On an extreme level, burnout can ruin your sports career by causing you to lose interest in the game you love and make a decision you may regret. So here are three tips on how to avoid burnout in sports.
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- Separate your sport from the rest of your life
It is hard to become burnt out when you separate your sport from school, your social life, and more. When you are done with practice, or just finished a game, do not do anything related to that sport until you have to. Avoiding activities related to the sport you play will decrease your chances of getting burnout because it allows you to focus 100% on other priorities or hobbies.
- Get at least 8 hours of sleep
Getting plenty of sleep is proven to improve your mood, energy, and many other aspects of your life. Improving your mood and energy will help you avoid burnout. Your body will also recover better and faster with more sleep, which could in turn influence your view on the sport.
- Make time for social activities
Making time for social activities will help you take your mind off of your sport. You would be able to socialize with your friends and family. You would also be able to vent to your friends and family about your sport. This would allow you to get all of your feelings out and not hold them in. Social activities will also boost your mood and give you time to relax, which helps you feel refreshed when returning to your next game or practice.
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* Originally published on May 12, 2022, by Brendan Duffy
