Winter sports are approaching and they are approaching quickly! With wrestling, basketball, indoor track, and more, your child will have plenty of options to get involved athletically. Here’s a general overview of what you need to know as a parent!
Eating Healthy for Winter Sports
As is with any sport (especially winter sports, for that matter), it is imperative that your child fuels their body correctly. As winter sports can be taxing on the body, eating the right foods can make the biggest difference in your child’s performance.
With all the running, sprinting, jumping, and/or wrestling your child may face throughout the winter, make sure your child is eating an appropriate amount of carbohydrates. Consider the difference between complex and simple carbohydrates. In short, simple carbohydrates are the type found in sugary, processed foods like candy — whereas complex carbohydrates are found in unprocessed, healthy foods.
In turn, having your child fuel up on complex carbohydrates — especially before a game (depending on the sport) — can make all the difference. Foods like brown rice and pasta are a great source of complex carbohydrates.
And of course, you can never forget about incorporating fruits and vegetables into their diet, as it provides essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that will further fuel your child’s performance.
Getting Enough Rest
It may seem obvious, but getting enough rest is important for your child as they play winter sports. While some may take pride in making the most of their day and losing sleep as a result, it’s a slippery slope that can have negative effects on their health.
There are many benefits to getting enough sleep. In fact, getting enough sleep has been shown to improve your immune system (which is incredibly useful for the winter, given that cold weather and sweating can make kids susceptible to pneumonia, etc.), according to SCL Health. Other benefits include:
- Can prevent weight gain
- Increased happiness/positive mood
- Boosted productivity
Achieving School-Sports Balance
Winter sports can bring out the competitive spirit in your child, but it’s important to remind them about their education. At the end of the day, though your child may train or practice incredibly hard, it’s imperative that they work equally as hard to keep their grades up.
For the most part, sports are an extracurricular activity/game that serves to complement your child’s studies. On top of that, (most) coaches are (or should be) aware of this fact, and are often in contact with teachers should a student begin slipping up in class.
So while discipline is honed on the field, on the court, or wherever your child plays — it doesn’t stop there. Ensuring that your child has an appropriate study schedule and ample time set aside at night for their homework will guarantee academic success amidst the winter sports schedule. And of course, you’ll want to keep abreast of your child’s mental health; after all, balancing school and sports is not an easy task. If it becomes overwhelming, consider talking to your child about potential alternatives (reduced practice schedule, seeking extra help, etc.)
Getting Active at Buckley
At Buckley, we offer many activities that’ll help keep your child physically active. From basketball to soccer to baseball to yoga, our athletic programs is a great way for your child to find what truly makes their athletic self shine. To learn more about how Buckley’s athletic programs can benefit your child (especially ahead of winter sports), please visit our website and get in touch with us today!