"For many competitive athletes, the holidays don't feel like a break. Instead, they can feel like a disruption to training, nutrition routines, rest schedules, and performance expectations that athletes may spend all year working to maintain. Add family gatherings, increased social demands, long travel days, irregular sleep, and unpredictable schedules, and suddenly even highly motivated athletes may feel overwhelmed. Food-related stress can also surface during the holidays, especially when routines shift or when athletes feel scrutinized by others' comments or expectations."
"Support systems, including parents, partners, coaches, and teammates, can help athletes recalibrate during this season and remember that their worth extends far beyond what they produce in their sport. Regular check-ins are a simple and effective way to help an athlete feel grounded and supported throughout the holidays. These conversations work best when the athlete leads. Ask what feels good, what feels demanding, and what they are enjoying outside of sport."
Holidays can disrupt training, nutrition, rest, and performance expectations for competitive athletes, creating stress and overwhelm. Family gatherings, increased social demands, long travel, irregular sleep, and unpredictable schedules compound pressure. Food-related stress and scrutiny, along with social comparison from teammates' posted workouts, can trigger performance anxiety and pressure to keep up. Support systems such as parents, partners, coaches, and teammates help athletes recalibrate and affirm worth beyond athletic output. Regular, athlete-led whole-person check-ins build psychological support and guide flexible routines. Adequate rest, sleep, and identity development beyond sport support injury prevention, emotional regulation, resilience, and sustained motivation.
Read at Psychology Today
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