How the End of A Season Affects Athletes Mentally
Introduction:
We’ve all been there before: at the peak of a season, having a good time in whichever sport we’re indulging in. And then all of a sudden, the season ends and everything comes to a grinding halt. Some people are happy, others feel a bit down. Let’s talk about how and why these myriad reactions to the closing season can occur throughout the athletic career.
What do people actually feel after the end of a season?
At the end of a season, many people experience relief as they get to sit back and enjoy themselves. However, as aforementioned, others certainly may feel down and in some cases, lost. This can happen at the end of a sports season, or it can happen after a student athlete has matriculated from high school sports altogether. Why exactly does this happen? The answer lies in attachment. Students can feel as if they have lost something valuable, closed the final page of a memorable chapter. In some ways, it is similar to breaking a routine in the sense that students will need to adjust to the absence of practices, competitions, team meetups, and hangouts. In addition to this, students can feel as if they haven’t yet given their all in the sport, inflicting a pressing urge for more opportunities. Piling all of these at once can often induce a period of emotional distress.
How to Cope With the problems:
1. Looking on the bright side:
Despite all of the negatives, there are a few ways to highlight the good aspects of the journey. First and foremost, if only one of several seasons has ended, there are numerous other opportunities lying in wait, and students can prepare for upcoming ones. For those who have graduated high school and cannot participate in those sports anymore, there are plenty of ups to focus on. For example, the team you dedicated yourself to won’t just disappear immediately; you can still cherish the bonds that you’ve made, not just with incoming recruits, but also with alumni like yourself, and maintain those valuable connections.
2. Continuing the athletic journey:
Some people are just not sure of what to do after their sports have permanently ended. It takes time to adjust to a new schedule devoid of training or curriculum. Some even worry about losing their fitness if they’re inactive for too long. For those looking to enroll in college, you can consider joining a sport on the collegiate level. Even if you do not plan to compete on that level, most colleges and universities have a wide variety of intramural sports programs; recreational sports organizations created for the purpose of fun and exercise.
Additionally, with more freedom of choice, new options open up for maintaining activity. Students can dabble in different sports or even downgraded, general physical activities. This can provide multifold benefits, as staying active is known to alleviate stress and help fill in the missing pieces that fragment upon a closing season.
Conclusion:
There are several ways that student athletes can encourage and uplift themselves once their season has ended. It’s important to recognize that for every up, there will always be a down. With this in mind, it’s okay to feel lost and in a rather awkward spot; however, the practices presented above certainly may make a dent in that bereft state and brighten up what seems to be a bleak finale. In doing so, you and your journey may come to find even more athletic opportunities.
Sources:
McNamara, Brittney. “When School Sports End, What Comes Next?” Teen Vogue, Teen Vogue, 6 Feb. 2019, www.teenvogue.com/story/how-to-cope-with-school-sports-ending.
“Dealing with Mental Health Issues in Injured Student Athletes.” The Reach Institute, thereachinstitute.org/dealing-with-mental-health-issues-in-injured-student-athletes/#:~:text=Sports%20typically%20provide%20student%20athletes,may%20develop%20depression%20or%20anxiety. Accessed 21 Jan. 2024.
LucykAppily, Shilo, and Shilo Lucyk. “Differences between College, Club, and Intramural Sports: Appily.” Find, Research, & Compare Colleges, www.appily.com/guidance/articles/college-life/college-club-vs-intramural-sports#:~:text=Intramural%20sports%20are%20the%20most,sports%20options%20on%20college%20campuses. Accessed 21 Jan. 2024.