HEALTH AND WELLNESS COURSE
Everything we do starts with the mind. Most athletes agree that the mental game plays a significant role in sport, yet rarely give this domain the deserved attention. That is where this course comes into play. In this course, our students learn principles of sport psychology and understand how to apply them to their everyday lives, as both soccer players and as human beings. Through this course, the hope is that each student will gain new awareness and understanding of who he is and how he can harness his mind to become the best version of himself he can possibly be.
Additionally, this course provides an opportunity to explore the importance of mental health and mental wellness. It goes without saying that the lives of our students are filled with intense competition, busy schedules, and various pressures, stressors, and expectations. In this course, students have a chance to collaborate and support one another, as well as to learn strategies to respond effectively to the challenges and unexpected obstacles they experience in their lives. As the saying goes, “You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf.”
Every student is enrolled in Health and Wellness, which meets twice per week. Different curricula are covered in different age groups:
6th-9th Grade: Sport Psychology Foundations, Goal Setting, Reflection, Growth Mindset, Managing Mistakes, Overcoming Challenges, Receiving Feedback, Effort, Mindfulness/Meditation, Breathing Techniques, Visualization
10th-12th Grade: Goal Setting, Reflection, Identity, Personal Values, Self-Awareness, Mindfulness/Meditation, Stress Response, Self-Talk, Thought Patterns, Emotional Awareness/Management, Emotional Vulnerability, Stress Management
Mindful Mondays: School-wide meditation sessions are offered once a week on Mondays to allow students the opportunity to center themselves as they begin the week.
1-on-1 Meetings: Individual meetings are scheduled throughout the school year with the course instructor to discuss any personal obstacles or challenges, as well as to apply course concepts to their real-world experiences.
YSC Academy student-athletes are under pressure to perform both on and off the field. We want our students to have the resources to effectively navigate these pressures, and handle their stress in healthy ways.