How can you help athletes manage stress and pressure?

1 Identify the sources of stress and pressure

The first step to help your athletes manage stress and pressure is to understand what causes them. Different athletes may experience stress and pressure from different sources, such as personal expectations, coaches, teammates, opponents, fans, media, injuries, or life events. You can use various methods to assess the sources of stress and pressure for your athletes, such as surveys, interviews, focus groups, or observation. By identifying the sources of stress and pressure, you can tailor your interventions and solutions to address them.

2 Provide psychological skills training

Psychological skills training (PST) is a systematic and structured process of teaching athletes mental skills that can help them cope with stress and pressure. Some of the common mental skills that PST can enhance are goal setting, imagery, self-talk, relaxation, concentration, and confidence. You can provide PST to your athletes individually or in groups, depending on their needs and preferences. You can also collaborate with sport psychologists or mental health professionals to deliver PST effectively.

3 Create a supportive and safe environment

Another way to help your athletes manage stress and pressure is to create a supportive and safe environment for them. This means providing them with positive feedback, encouragement, recognition, and respect. It also means creating a culture of trust, openness, and honesty, where your athletes can express their feelings, concerns, and opinions without fear of judgment, criticism, or retaliation. You can also foster a sense of belonging and cohesion among your athletes by facilitating team-building activities, social events, and communication channels.

4 Promote a balanced and healthy lifestyle

Stress and pressure can take a toll on your athletes' physical and mental health, so it is important to promote a balanced and healthy lifestyle for them. This includes encouraging them to eat well, sleep well, exercise regularly, and hydrate properly. It also includes helping them to manage their time, prioritize their tasks, and set boundaries. Moreover, it includes supporting them to engage in hobbies, interests, and activities that can provide them with enjoyment, relaxation, and fulfillment outside of sport.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?