As a die-hard fan of your teenage athlete, you obviously want your child to do their best on the field, track, rink, or green. But ensuring your teen's health is a bit more complicated than simply ensuring he or she makes it to practice on time and stays hydrated. To make sure teens are at the top of their games, follow these the tips below.
- Set a Regular Sleep Schedule
Sleep is important for everyone, but especially for teenage athletes. Getting an adequate amount improves their performance in sports and school, as well as reduces their risk of both injury and depression. Most teens are not thrilled at the prospect of having a bed time, so instead of trying to enforce it with brute parental strength, try framing the conversation in terms of how a regular sleep schedule will help improve their sports performance.
- Help Manage a Schedule
Many teen athletes are not confined to one sport. Rather, they participate in any number of athletic activities year-round. While you want them to be as involved and active as possible, there is such a thing as trying to do too much. If your teen seems unusually stressed, struggles with other responsibilities, or indicates that they feel overwhelmed, then it may be time to cut back on the number of sports he or she is participating in.
- Encourage a Healthy Diet
Teenagers are not known for their healthy diets, but if your teen is an athlete then it’s important that he or she eats well to perform well. While you can’t always control what your teen eats when outside the home, you can at least provide nutritious meals on your watch. Complex carbohydrates, lean proteins (think turkey and chicken), and plenty of whole fruits and vegetables are a must for any athlete’s diet.
- Ditch the Protein Supplements
Protein supplements for teenage athletes are largely unnecessary. Statistics show that most teens get up to two times their recommended amount of protein daily. On top of this, frequent protein supplement use can actually be dangerous for teenagers, as it can promote the growth of kidney stones and high blood acidity.
- Enforce Occasional Downtime
While athletics are a great way for your teen to learn about self-improvement and personal achievement, sometimes this attitude can be downright dangerous. Downtime is important for recovering from injuries and avoiding burnout, so teach your teen athlete to appreciate and use rest to ensure safety and health.
