Although the outcomes of competitions can be rewarding, they are ultimately detrimental to competitors due to the amount of stress caused by trying to be superior to their opponents. Competition is personally arduous because it is not only unhealthy mentally, but also physically, as the desire to be the best often takes precedence over caring for one’s body (DiMenichi and Tricomi).
High school students are tasked with the ultimate challenge, trying to achieve sufficient grades while maintaining a social life filled with extracurricular activities. All of this puts enough stress on adolescents as it is, but when parents compare their children, internal competition is established. In my family, there is an ongoing competition among me and my sister, and that derives from the success that my parents expect from us.
I know that my parents’ expectations are well intended, and the results of my competitive nature show academically; however, the amount of stress I am put under is unhealthy, not only to my mind but consequently to my body. There is a price to pay for the glory of competition, and it is extremely taxing to one’s overall health.
There is a direct relationship between mental health and physical health, especially in high school students (Unhealthy and Healthy Competition). When burdened by internal competition, the effects of stress on my body are maximized due to an excessive amount of focus on school and a lack of social interactions, and a disregard for daily necessities (Unhealthy and Healthy Competitions).
I stay up late doing homework and consistently skip meals. Physical health is the most important aspect of a person’s life, and it should not be neglected at the expense of competition. Though stress is a consequence of competition, it ultimately encourages growth in an individual and leads to the betterment of society.
DiMenichi, Brynne C., and Elizabeth Tricomi. “Increases in Brain Activity during Social Competition Predict Decreases in Working Memory Performance and Later Recall.” Wiley Online Library, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, 13 Sept. 2016, onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/hbm.23396.
Taylor, Glenn. “Unhealthy and Healthy Competition – What’s the Difference?” Skybound Coaching & Training, 10 Nov. 2020, goskybound.com/unhealthy-and-healthy-competition/. #RHS