Super Skills to Remember During Summer Break + Going Into a New Season!

BY KRISTIN DEISS, CO-FOUNDER OF DANSCEND

It’s almost time for summer camps and clinics and if you’re like a lot of cheerleaders
this time of year, you’re super excited to turbocharge your training in a new environment with new friends and new teachers. Whether you go away from home or stay local, are an effective way to improve your technique, learn new skills, and improve your already-loaded arsenal. How do we navigate all of this summer camp newness and make sure that we’re keeping our minds healthy while we’re training our bodies? We have three simple tips for you!

Sleep. Yes, We Said Sleep!

Did you know that toxins build up in your brain while you’re awake? They do! And can you guess the best way to clean up these toxins? Yep. You probably guessed it – sleep. Want to remember combinations more quickly? Get enough sleep. Want to be able to regulate your emotions more easily? Get enough sleep. We know sleep isn’t the most exciting thing at your summer program, but getting enough sleep can be a huge part of you performing at your best. In fact, sleep is probably the single most effective thing you can do to reset your brain and body health. Adults need between 7 and 9 hours of sleep and adolescents need even more – 8 to 10 hours.

Give Yourself Grace

Cheerleaders are so hard on themselves when it comes to their expectations of their bodies. These expectations can be about what our bodies can do and they can also be about what our bodies look like. And these (often unrealistic) expectations can get in the way of our mental wellbeing.

Social physique anxiety is exactly what it sounds like – it’s the unease someone feels when they believe they are being judged on their appearance. Because we’re cheering every day in our bodies and receiving feedback from teachers about our bodies, social physique anxiety can be a common challenge for dancers.

Social physique anxiety can look like cheerleaders not being able to see themselves as good-looking or having recurring thoughts or a belief that they don’t have the right “athlete body.” Often, a cheerleaders physical appearance is connected to their need to make a good impression on coaches, choreographers, judges, and peers to receive positive feedback and good scores.

This summer, try to start focusing on how cheerleading feels rather than how it looks!

Share With Friends.

New environments can sometimes feel lonely. Particularly if you’re headed to summer camp away from home, or starting at a new gym, it can be difficult to create new relationships. But, sharing your experiences with others is so important for your mental wellbeing.

Creating social relationships with your teammates can be a fantastic way of tapping into the power of community. When we feel like we’re not alone in our experiences, we are more likely to open up and share without fear of being misunderstood or judged. Not only does this type of sharing relieve some of the stress we may be feeling, but it can also help us create lasting relationships that will last far beyond the summer!

PICTURED HERE

CHEER EXTREME
SENIOR ELITE
SENIOR LARGE
PHOTO BY: ACTION MOMENTS