How To Have a Great Competition Season

You’ve worked hard for months and trained day and night. You’re ready. As squads of all levels get in the swing of competition season, cheerleaders may start questioning their readiness to rock the blue mat. While we can’t spot you at the gym, we can share some tips that will help you have an amazing season. Take a Breath Don’t overwork yourself or push too hard. When you’re tired and stressed, pushing yourself to go full out just one more time could lead to an injury. If you feel exhausted or need a moment to catch your breath, do it. Practice deep breathing exercises before and after practice and before you go to sleep. You’ll be able to clear your mind and focus a lot better. Consider doing some yoga too! Disconnect Take some time away from your phone, computer, and Internet and disconnect – even if it is just for a few minutes a day. When you’re deep in your Facebook and Twitter feeds, you find yourself getting more involved in other people’s drama. During competition season, or during any stressful time, step back and focus on yourself and your team! Think Twice Before You Post When you are connected digitally, stop posting rants, passive aggressive comments, or vague references to people that made you mad. Keep your timeline fun, positive, and informative; use your personal journal, friends and family to get things off your chest. The last thing your team needs is drama! Indulge In a Guilty Pleasure Whether it’s a sweet treat or a reality TV show, guilty pleasures help us forget about current pressures. Believe it or not, taking time to not focus on something can actually help you refocus. This is good to do after a long day at practice or a frustrating routine run. Clean Up Being organized will help you de-clutter your schedule and your mind. Make to-do lists, clean out your closet, create file folders for school classes…anything that helps keep you on track! Use apps and calendar alerts to remember important dates and events. This will reduce some stress you may have about balancing competitions, homework, and any other responsibilities. Get Some Beauty Rest We can’t say it enough. Rest is so important for athletes. Get at least 8 hours of sleep a night and you’ll see your performance improve. The nights before and after a competition, try to get even more sleep than you normally would. Get Inspired Pop in a few competition videos featuring the best of the best. Trust us: seeing other teams in action will motivate you to work harder than ever before. Ask For Help There’s no shame in asking for help. It doesn’t mean you’re weak or incapable of handling everything. If you’re struggling finishing a class assignment or can’t seem to nail down a part of your cheer routine, ask a friend, coach, teacher, or parent for help. What are your tips for having a great season? How do you survive competition season?