In this insightful episode, we dive into the impact of digital wellness on female athletes and coaches, offering practical strategies for balancing technology use with well-being in both sport and life.
Key Highlights:
Annemarie's Perspective:
Annemarie shares her insights from her experiences as a coach, parent, and certified professional from The Digital Wellness Institute.
She emphasizes the importance of fostering digital wellness and shares how athletes can use technology mindfully to improve performance while avoiding the mental health pitfalls of overuse.
Megan's College Athlete Experience:
Megan opens up about her personal struggles with anxiety, FOMO (Fear of Missing Out), and self-comparison during her time as a college athlete.
She also discusses the impact of Sharenting, where parents overshare personal information and accomplishments of young athletes on social media, and the pressure it creates.
The Double-Edged Sword of Social Media for Athletes:
Social media can be a powerful tool for brand building and increasing visibility for athletes, but it can also contribute to anxiety and comparison through the constant stream of curated content.
Annemarie and Megan offer tips for managing social media in a healthy way, including:
Staying honest and humble in what you share.
Only posting content that truly matters to you.
Supporting your school’s team accounts and celebrating the achievements of other athletes.
Coaches' Role in Digital Wellness:
Coaches can use social media effectively to share practice schedules, team-building activities, competition highlights, and training strategies, but need to be mindful of the influence they have on young athletes’ social media habits.
Both Annemarie and Megan recommend delaying social media use until high school, as there are no benefits that outweigh the potential harm for younger athletes.
The Hidden Dangers of Algorithm-Driven Content:
The episode warns about the dangers of algorithm-driven, image-based platforms, particularly those that expose young athletes to sexualized content or unrealistic body standards.
These can have damaging effects on young girls' self-esteem and body image, amplifying insecurities and promoting unhealthy behaviors.
Actionable Tips for Athletes and Coaches:
Remove phones from the bedroom to improve sleep hygiene—use an alarm clock instead.
Delay social media exposure until high school when athletes are more emotionally equipped to handle its pressures.
Encourage athletes to be intentional about the content they post and consume.
Create boundaries around screen time, especially during high-stress periods like competitions and exams.
By promoting digital flourishing, athletes and coaches can enjoy a healthier relationship with technology that enhances both performance and well-being.
For more tips on digital wellness and athlete support, visit PEAC-Train Like a Girl's website or follow us on social media.
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