{"id":677,"date":"2020-03-13T17:59:26","date_gmt":"2020-03-13T17:59:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kidsportcanada.ca\/alberta\/?post_type=news_stories&p=677"},"modified":"2020-08-10T20:47:37","modified_gmt":"2020-08-10T20:47:37","slug":"kidsport-blog-what-is-burnout","status":"publish","type":"news_stories","link":"https:\/\/kidsportcanada.ca\/alberta\/news-stories\/kidsport-blog-what-is-burnout\/","title":{"rendered":"KidSport Blog – What is Burnout?"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n
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We hear the word tossed around within youth, amateur, and even professional sport. But what exactly is burnout?\u00a0Beth Sitzler from the National Athletic Trainers Association says that \u201cburnout is a response to chronic stress of continued demands in a sport or activity without the opportunity for physical and mental rest and recovery\u201d.\u00a0She also explains that \u201cburnout is a syndrome of continual training and sport attention stress, resulting in staleness, [and] overtraining\u201d.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n
On the U of A\u2019s track and field team, I compete in the throwing events: the more commonly-known shot put, and the less commonly-known weight throw. In weight throw, I wind a 20 pound ball and chain around my head, and then proceed to spin in circles until I gain enough speed and momentum to throw the 20lbs weight over 14 metres.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n
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As throwers, we are known as being the \u201cstrong\u201d athletes. The problem for me was that I believed \u201cstrong\u201d meant both mentally and physically strong. When I began to experience the signs and symptoms of burnout, I had a hard time admitting that I was struggling. I thought that admitting that I was burnt out was going to make me a weaker person. And, as a thrower, I felt that being perceived as weak would tarnish how people viewed me as an athlete.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n
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For me, I thought burnout could only happen for the best of the best athletes (e.g,. the Olympians of the sport). But, what I quickly found out, was that burnout can happen to anyone and everyone. Whether you are a track and field athlete, a synchronized swimmer, a hockey player, or anyone in between, it is important to recognize the signs and symptoms of burnout. More importantly, it\u2019s essential to know that admitting you are burnt out and seeking help is not a sign of weakness, but rather one of the most courageous things that a person (and athlete) can do.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n
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At the National Athletic Trainers Association, they suggest the signs and symptoms include:<\/p>\r\n
Looking at the signs and symptoms of burnout as I write this blog post, it makes me wish that I was told about them earlier.\u00a0As I was in that equipment closet, I was experiencing almost every symptom on the list above. My performance was severely lacking and I was always tired. My workload in school grew and grew, and I just couldn\u2019t keep up. During this time, I had also developed a chronic auto-immune condition resulting from the high levels of stress. And finally, I was almost always irritable, moody, and anxious.<\/p>\r\n
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So, what did I do?\u00a0<\/p>\r\n
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For me, I took five months away from my sport. I didn\u2019t step foot in the building in which I trained five days a week for 3-4 hours at a time. Being in that building made me physically sick and anxious, so I stayed as far away as I could.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n
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Thankfully for me, most of my burnout aligned with spring and summer break. So, I took some much needed rest. I got my sleep, ate a better diet, and managed my time better.<\/p>\r\n
Now, two years later, I am in my last year of my varsity sport. I have been able to recognize the impact that a more balanced lifestyle can have on my mental health.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n
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I am not crying in equipment closets anymore.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n
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My performances have gotten better, my grades have improved, I am managing my chronic auto-immune condition, and my mood has gotten better. I just competed in my last Conference finals and I have never felt better!\u00a0<\/p>\r\n
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Now that I have recognized what the signs and symptoms of burnout are, and have been making sure that myself, and my teammates don\u2019t have to be in the position I was two years ago. I know that burnout can strike at any time, and it is important to do everything that I can to combat it.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\r\n
Beth Sitzler suggests that \u201crest and time away from sport are the two best methods to prevent and treat athlete burnout\u201d. Speaking from personal experience, I would also suggest talking to your coaches and teammates – athletes are often susceptible to \u2018struggling in silence\u2019 and so starting a conversation and getting support from people who have been there is an important step.<\/p>\r\n
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If you recognize that you or somebody you know is struggling with burnout, refer them to a doctor or mental health care specialist.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n
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