The life of a student-athlete can be challenging, from pressures at school, home and social media. Research has shown that the prevalence of depression and anxiety in young people managing school and demanding sports schedules can significantly impact their day.
A pair of local moms saw that firsthand in their children and the kids they coach. That’s why they’ve developed a journal to help keep kids focused on what matters.
“I personally put a lot of pressure on myself to get good grades while also performing well on my sport,” said Brynn Connor, a 16-year-old rower and a volleyball player. Along with her twin sister Addison, they know a thing or two about the pressure of sports and when it doesn’t go your way.
“I’ve had two knee surgeries,” explained Addison. “And obviously, an injury, even surgery, feels like such a long recovery, and it can be overwhelming.”
Their mom Erin, a former student-athlete herself, found some lessons in helping the girls recover.
“Just seeing my kids go through such challenges with sports and in life just made me so much more motivated and passionate about helping them in the daily struggles.”
She teamed up with her sister, Katie, another former student athlete and mom of four to figure out how to curb those overwhelming feelings athletes may have: lack of confidence, anxiety and comparing themselves to others on social media.
They’ve written a journal called “Bet on You” full of exercises for students to write in daily.
“Journaling is really important to help rewire your mind,” said Katie Wood. She previously penned a gratitude journal and found success. “So the concept is writing it down, your brain processes it 40% more, and that’s how you start to rewire your mind and work on your mental game. And then as an athlete, that helps you perform better because you’re not so focused on what’s wrong.”
Years of research have shown that writing about a problem can help you navigate your emotions.
“ It keeps me grounded and it reminds me of everything that is good in my life,” said Brooke Connor, Erin’s daughter.
The girls are thankful for the guidance of their moms who have been there.
“The biggest piece of advice I have learned is definitely like controlling what I can control and leaving out things that I can’t,” said Austyn Wood, Katie’s daughter.
As a young basketball player at Providence College, Wood almost didn’t try out for the basketball team, thinking she wasn’t good enough.
“And after two years, ended up earning a full scholarship and was named captain, which had never happened to a walk-on at Providence,” she said. “So no one’s ever stuck. You all have, we all have the ability to rewire our mind. It’s just, we need to do the work.”