Tip of the Month - October
Coach Monika says…
Taking a Break from Social Media and Your Techno Gadgets?
Millennials and Gen Z’s are constantly being assailed by stereotypes that characterize them as ‘technology addicted’. While it’s true that kids, teens, and young adults are more “plugged in”, nearly 60% have actually taken a “break from social media.” The poll from the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research surveyed US teens, aged 13-17, and found most value the feeling of communication with friends and family. WOW!A small number of the teens surveyed associate social media with negative emotions. They reported feelings of being overwhelmed and pressured to be “social media worthy”. Additionally, teenagers struggle with the stress of having constant access to a sea of information while being bombarded by a deluge of political events, celebrity scandals, advertisements, and so on. Many teenagers are left feeling exhausted due to the strain on their mental health. According to medical researchers, the vast data that floods us via Smartphones, Tablets, or emails is actually disrupting regeneration or building of nerve cells.Some teens report that they have been ‘taking a week-long leave of absence’ from their techno gadgets, and could not believe they were ‘actually enjoying the serenity, quietness and peace!’ They even started to read a book! Huh! How about that? Typically, media breaks are one week or longer, and boys are more likely to take longer breaks. Nearly two thirds of teens cited at least one voluntary reason. Thirty eight percent did so because social media was “getting in the way of work or school.” Nearly a quarter said they were “tired of conflict and drama”, and 20% stated that “they were tired of having to keep up with what’s going on.” Amanda Lenhart, lead researcher, and expert on young people and technology use, states she was surprised, especially that teens felt so ‘handcuffed’ to their social media profiles.
What does this have to do with athletes?
The impacts on younger developmental athletes:
Less efficient functioning in school or doing school work
Lack of focus and concentration
Increase of unrest and fidgeting
Lack of sleep and/or adequate rest
Lack of social interaction and personal communication
For older, elite and professional Athletes it could mean:
Less efficient functioning in daily training and maximizing performance
Lack of focus and concentration
Increase of unrest and nervousness
Lack of sleep and/or adequate rest
Increase of fatigue
Reduced ability for proper recovery
Lack of social interaction and personal communication
Potential increase of alcohol consumption
Cartoon of a man distracted by reading a newspaper walking towards an open man hole
So, take a break or you may end up like this one!