Playing a sport can be a positive experience. Competitive sports offer individuals the chance to work hard and the opportunity to improve, but competition and the pressure to succeed can also lead to feeling stressed out and anxious.
What Does Anxiety Mean?
There are different types of serious anxiety disorders, but WebMD defines basic anxiety as a normal human emotion that everyone experiences from time to time when faced with important decisions or things that can be deemed worrisome. Anxiety is typically triggered by stress. It can affect how you feel and act, and is accompanied by symptoms such as nausea, headaches, trembling and sweating.
Anxiety in Sports Defined
No matter what sport or sports you play, there can be pressure to succeed and perform well. Whether you are playing an individual or team sport, in both instances you are competing against others, and there will always be winners and losers. The Health Care Center defines sports performance anxiety as an instance when an athlete's performance is compromised because he is nervous or insecure, saying "fear of failure becomes overwhelming, performance anxiety sets in and the ability to perform at an acceptable level is eliminated."
Youth Sports and Anxiety
Youth athletes are particularly prone to feeling the pressure to do well in competitive sports. Children may feel upset or insecure if they are not performing as well as some of their peers, and might be anxious to catch up and play at the same level. Children can also be pushed too hard by their parents because of the adults' struggle with what WebMD refers to as "misplaced self-esteem." This means parents want their children to succeed in sports, maybe because as youths themselves the parents didn't fare too well, or because they have hopes of their child playing sports in college and beyond. Any of these considerations make parents live through their child's triumphs and losses, and puts more pressure on kids to perform well so they don't disappoint their parents. Kids might be made to feel as though their parents' love is entirely dependent on the child outperforming her peers consistently in the sports arena. When competition comes with too much pressure, children will not like playing as much.
Professional Athletes and Sports Anxiety
Professional athletes tend to experience less anxiety than youth participants because of their heightened ability to perform, and experience with managing their mental and emotional state in competitive atmospheres. Still, professional athletes are not immune to anxiety. They are in an environment where everyone around them is considered a top competitor, and things such as trades, starting spots, individual and team statistics, and wins and losses are always on their minds. USA Today says the higher level of intensity can affect an athlete's anxiety and make him dislike the game. For professional athletes, playing sports is how they make their living, and if they aren't performing well, they might be concerned about what their other options are, if they even have any. Unlike children, professional athletes face scrutiny from more people than parents, peers and coaches. Professional athletes must also deal with fans who watch their development, and might choose to turn against a player if he does not perform well enough to their liking.
Ways to Alleviate the Anxiety
Anxiety can be tough to deal with in a competitive sports setting, but there are ways to alleviate some of the anxiety. It is important to get plenty of sleep and make healthy eating choices, because having more energy can give you confidence in your abilities. Deep, slow breaths can also get rid of any tension you might be carrying. Remind yourself that you are capable of succeeding. You should strive to do your best, but know that it isn't always about winning. If you play a team sport, it can help to establish a close bond with your teammates and talk to them if you're having any performance concerns. It is always OK to take a break from sports competition if you're not enjoying yourself or can't cope with the pressure. Maybe you would like another sport better. If you're a parent in a competitive sports setting, remember to have realistic expectations for your child, and always search for the positives. It's OK for sports to be competitive, but they should be enjoyed in the process.
