Boost Student-Athlete Wellness: Balancing Academics & Athletics

A new school year brings new opportunities; however, it may also come with new or recurring challenges. Student-athletes and trainers often need to establish new routines and manage an influx of activities, causing back-to-school stress. Therefore, proactively prioritizing wellness is essential to cope with these changes.

Supporting Student-Athletes’ Wellbeing

Students, particularly student-athletes, often experience uncertainty and anxiety at the start of a new school year as they adapt to new classes, teammates and schedules. Be on the lookout for changes in your athletes’ behavior and mood or physical symptoms, such as:

• Increased defiance or irritability
• Sleep disturbances
• Loss of appetite
• Lack of concentration
• Less energy
• Sadness or crying
• Nausea, muscle tension or dizziness
• Refusal to attend practice or classes

Student-athletes are resilient, but it’s nonetheless important to create an environment where they feel safe and encouraged to voice their struggles without fear of stigma or retribution. By fostering open communication and providing access to necessary mental health resources, schools can support athletes in maintaining balanced and healthy lives — both on and off the field.

Bolstering Your Wellbeing Efforts

The landscape of wellness resources available to coaches and student-athletes has evolved significantly, offering a myriad of tools to support both physical and mental health. Mental health apps and online platforms have become invaluable, providing accessible, on-demand resources that cater to a variety of needs. These tools can help student-athletes manage stress, track their mental wellbeing and even connect with counselors for virtual telehealth therapy sessions.

Community support systems also play a crucial role, offering a sense of belonging and a network of peers who understand the unique challenges faced by student-athletes. Additionally, educational workshops and seminars targeted around mental health learning opportunities can equip athletes and coaches with the latest strategies for maintaining wellness. By integrating these diverse resources, schools can create a robust support system that addresses the holistic needs of their student-athletes and coaches, ensuring they thrive both on and off the field.

NCAA Mental Health Resources

The NCAA Sport Science Institute stands at the forefront of health and safety initiatives for college athletes, coaches and athletics administrators. With insights from top medical organizations, behavioral health facilities and industry experts, the NCAA Sport Science Institute delivers invaluable educational resources to its member schools, ensuring the health and wellbeing of every student-athlete is prioritized. Click here to view their library of resources.

Additionally, the NCAA recently launched its International Student-Athlete Handbook, designed to support new international student-athletes, as well as their families, coaches and administrators, with essential information regarding their collegiate experiences in the U.S. It provides valuable information, tools and resources on topics that include:

• Student life & personal growth
• Immigration rules & services
• Wellbeing
• Safety & security
• Tax & legal issues
• Cultural insights & opportunities
• NCAA eligibility information

Taking Care of Yourself

It can be difficult to find time for yourself in between practices, games and administrative work. Here are some healthy ways to make your school year more manageable and help you achieve work-life balance:

• Set reasonable expectations. Establish realistic expectations about what you can accomplish each day or week. Don’t be hard on yourself; focus on completing high-impact tasks and responsibilities.
• Develop a schedule. Creating a routine that accommodates your work schedule and family’s needs is essential. Additionally, consider consolidating certain activities, such as housework, chores or extracurricular activities, to one or two specific days to help everyone stay focused.
• Set boundaries. If you feel spread thin between being a good coach and an efficient employee, it may be helpful to set some boundaries. You’re in control of how you expend your energy. You can free up mental space to allow yourself to be more present where and when it matters.
• Create healthy habits. Be sure to get plenty of sleep and eat well so you can be fully charged to take on the day. It’s also important to stay active and incorporate movement into your daily routine. It may help to plan a workout first thing in the morning, during lunch or in the late afternoon so it fits around school schedules. Implementing mindfulness practices, such as meditation and deep-breathing exercises, can also help manage stress and stay focused in high-pressure situations.
• Ask for help. Lean on your networks for support if you need help getting through the workday. With practices, workouts and games back in action, don’t wait to ask others for help if you’re overwhelmed. Be honest and communicative with your family and coworkers if the current situation isn’t working well.

Simplify Game Plan Decisions With CBIZ Borden Perlman Sports

Our knowledge goes beyond insurance to include deep insights into the collegiate sports world and student-athlete welfare. We’re here to provide you and your teams with ongoing support throughout life and on the field. Our policy offers a comprehensive approach to mental health initiatives with 24/7/365 access. To learn more about how CBIZ Borden Perlman Sports can protect your teams, connect with us today.

This blog may contain scenarios that are provided as examples only. In an actual claim situation, coverage is subject to the terms, conditions and exclusions of the policy issued. The information provided is general in nature and may be affected by changes in law or the interpretation of such laws. The reader is advised to contact a professional prior to taking any action based upon this information.

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