Usually teenagers participate in sporting events for the exercise, the enjoyment and the sense of either individual or team competitiveness.

But there can be much pressure associated with sports events which can affect the teen even if he/she is playing at a non professional level. These pressures are often caused by outside influences urging the teen to succeed, or for his/her team to always win.

Pressures can also be generated by the teen. Sporting teens tend to be hard on themselves in their desire to be the best, to always out compete opponents. Maybe the teen is aware that he/she is being watched by a talent scout for bigger things, so the teen will always pressure her/him self to higher levels of performance.

Paradoxically sports pressure within the teen can often have an adverse affect on the teens sporting performance, and so the inner pressure becomes self destructive. If the teen feels pressurized for whatever the reason he/she should try the following.

Easing Teenage Sports Pressure.

  1. Muscle Relaxation. Tense up a bunch of muscles and keep them that way for about 5 seconds. Then release the muscles. Repeat the exercise at least 5 times, then move on to a different muscle bunch.

  1. Breathing Exercise. Sit comfortably and inhale through the nose slowly, take a

good breath of air into the lungs, hold this breath for about 5 seconds then exhale slowly. Repeat this exercise 5 times.

  1. Be Mindfully Aware. Avoid any kind of negative thinking when beginning a

Game or competition. The teen should say to hm/her self. ‘ I am fit, I am healthy, I will give of my best and enjoy this oncoming game ‘.

  1. Inner Visualization. Have positive peaceful mental images, visualize the

Pressures and stresses flowing out of the body. Let the teen close her/his eyes and see lovely sights and happy sounds.

Sports people who practice this kind of visualization see themselves in the game. Making positive contributions to their team mates, and enhancing their own performance to a winning end.

Then on match day, the teen can recall such visualizations and feel full of confidence that he/she can compete, without any feelings of being pressured.

When Sports pressures become a nuisance, the teen should try the above techniques and escape from the sports environment for a while, and relax with something different for a few days.

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