Parents of Student Athletes

With all the commitments a student athlete has, (school, homework, practice, family, and friends and maybe even work) some might find it hard to fit sleep into the equation. But without proper sleep, an athlete won’t be giving his or her best in any of their activities.

It is a vicious cycle- a student stays up late studying for a test causing them not to get the proper sleep they need. They will then be tired during school and once practice rolls around they will be too tired to perform at their best. They then just want to go home and sleep which could make them fall behind in their homework. So not only are they lacking sleep, but they are now stressed and this is just not a healthy combination for your growing teenager.

Adequate sleep for student athletes is key in preventing negative outcomes.  It’s important because it is the time when actual physical growth occurs and tissues recover from daily activity. Sleep-deprivation leads to fatigue, which can cause a decrease in both academic and athletic performances.

Also, don't forget that lack of sleep can lead to other health issues such as depression especially when you are adding stress into the mix. When students are worried about test scores, practice, and their social life, that anxiety can lead to poor sleep, which can lead to depression.

So what can your child do to improve their performance, both academically and athletically? Here are a few tips to prioritize sleep and help your athletic and academic performance.

• Keep a consistent sleep schedule. Wake up at the same time on the weekends as you do weekdays.
• Eat a large meal at night, about three hours before bedtime.
• Avoid caffeine which can lead to less restful sleep.
• Develop healthy ways to manage stress.
• Exercise should take place earlier in the day, no later than four hours before bedtime.
• Nap if feeling drowsy, but for no longer than 30 minutes.

As parents of a student athlete, it is your job to make sure your child will begin following these steps in order to reduce their sleepless nights and to increase academic and athletic performance.