HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — This time of year kids are all in for summer sports, but it can take a toll on their mental health. Stress and burnout are real for young and old. This Wellness Wednesday, one local psychotherapist shares some tips.
Huntsville Psychotherapy and Counseling Services Owner and Psychotherapist Monretta Vega explained that sometimes the truth is, the burnout is real. "I would encourage parents to make sure that there is a balance between activities and rest time. When we've been doing sports for so long, our any extracurricular activity, that burnout comes because we may not see a benefit and we also may start to just see a decline in our interest levels."
According to the the Kids Mental Health Foundation, while about 60 million kids participate in organized youth sports across the country, a recent study published in pediatrics showed that 70% quit playing by the age of 13. "A lot of times we have overachievers because we start to subconsciously compare ourselves to others who are in different categories."
Vega said for parents, it is important to ask and sit with those tough questions. "Yes, we may have a star athlete and they may be great at this activity, but are they motivated to continue on? Is their heart still in it?"
Most importantly, Vega encourages parents to revisit their goals. "When we're talking about extracurricular activities. Again, you know, we see the greatest athletes in the greatest aspects in our children, and we want them to be successful and to enjoy. But checking in every once in a while, especially before we go signing up for the travel or for the next semester or for summer time, just make sure that they're still interested and identify what their motivation is now."