Being a student at San Luis Obispo High School you may feel pressure from parents and peers to become a student-athlete. However, what most students assume this means, is playing on a school facilitated sports team. As much as it is a great way to get involved and meet friends, it is not the only option to receive the full benefits of exercise. With all the mental benefits that come with exercising, it may even be a factor that improves your mood and performance in school. Expressions interviewed a SLOHS sports team athlete and an athlete outside of school to compare and contrast the student’s experiences.  

Expressions: What sport do you do?

Senior athlete Annie Overland: I do volleyball, basketball, and track for SLOHS teams.

SLOHS graduate Cassidy Clark: I do yoga outside of school.

Expressions: How does exercise improve your mental health?

Overland: Exercise makes me less stressed out because I’m not worried about getting injured if my body can handle the workout.

Clark: It sometimes makes me feel more productive and less lazy, and then when I do go and relax I don’t feel bad about it later.

Expressions: Is there any pressure to play sports on a SLOHS team?

Overland: I don’t feel that because sports have always been a part of my life and I don’t feel pressured to do them.

Clark: There’s some pressure because our school puts a lot of extra hype around school-related sports.