As spring sports seasons kick into high gear, the pressure on teen athletes (and the parents supporting them) can reach a breaking point. Whether it’s the anxiety of a high-stakes track meet or the frustration of a slump on the baseball diamond, we often respond to these challenges by tightening our grip and "performing" harder.

March Madness captivates millions every year, including 5 in my family! But many of us cheer not for the top seeds, but for the underdogs. Guess what? It's not coincidental, it's psychological. According to James Houle, PhD, a psychologist at Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, people root for lower-seeded teams because they represent hope, fairness, and emotional excitement during the tournament.

Anxiety can feel like carrying a heavy, invisible weight that clouds your mind and drains your energy. When worries spiral, it’s easy to get stuck in a cycle of fear and uncertainty. I’ve found that creative visualization techniques offer a practical way to step back from those overwhelming feelings and see them more clearly.