While strokes and heart attacks are never a part of a coach’s game plan, sometimes the pressure of working around the clock to win games leads to glaring health issues. In fact, earlier this month, the now-former head coach of the Denver Broncos made the tough call to step away from his position after suffering a mini-stroke. Dr. Stephen Graef, sports psychologist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, has tips for coaches and anyone, frankly, who get sacked with a high-pressure situation.
- Own and embrace the pressure from fans, athletes and commentators. Try not to avoid the pressure. Instead, embrace it as a reality.
- Sound the whistle when enough is enough. Pressure can start to build up when there’s a struggle in your home life, health or other aspects of the job. It’s important to manage and take care of these stressors before handling those associated with coaching.
- Work as a team. Look to your spouse, family or friends for support. Set aside 30 minutes where you can engage with those people. Then, grow those relationships in the offseason.
Avoiding Tailgate Tummy
Tailgate tummy is a condition many football fans encounter as they crowd around televisions and in stadium parking lots — often with a beer in hand and salty, fatty or processed foods in the other. After a long season it can add up and lead to weight gain. Dr. Aaron Clark, a family physician at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center offers tips for fans hoping to avoid scoring those extra pounds.
- Stand to cheer on your team: Lying down after drinking is a big mistake. Beer relaxes the body already, and lying down won’t help. You’ll be less likely to want to get back up and be active.
- Drink water: While it may be tempting to wash down salty, processed foods with beer, water will work just as well.
- Full body exercise: It’s easy to think that doing exercises that work the gut will make belly fat disappear. This is not true. Instead focus on full-body workouts to get rid of fat.
Report courtesy of The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.