I spent about two hours on a Zoom call today with a coach from Maryland—who is teamed up with a traveling lacrosse team in Massachusetts—who is reaching out with an app for my daughter in Vermont. (Did you follow all that? 😊) We went over how to use an app that is designed to give student athletes some additional mental toughness, particularly as their practices, seasons, games and tournaments have all been cancelled these past few months.
Sports provides an outlet, the coach explained, and without it, she worries about the kids’ mental health. This grew out of her concern. It’s a simple way for kids to “check-in” with themselves. Once they get into the habit of mentally stopping–and noting what they feel, they can adjust, she says.
The app also asks questions about other ways to keep yourself in great shape. It looks at how many hours you sleep, what you ate and how often, the amount of sunlight exposure and time outside you found in the day, the quality of your conversations with someone important to you. It’s all quick. And especially important for the teenage cell phone user: it’s all right there on that gadget they all hold on to every moment of their days.
She even suggests that my daughter and I do it together. (She’s a mom to a 15 year-old as well, so I am thinking she likely knows exactly how this might work!)
If we had “normal” summer lacrosse this year, I don’t think this program would be available. Or, if it were available, we probably would have dismissed it as just another extra. Instead, my daughter and I have the opportunity to explore a new area together—and build some great habits for both of us. Now, that’s a silver lining with a lot of potential!