Most people who play a sport do it to have fun with others who share the same interest. But it's not always fun and games. There can be plenty of pressure in high school sports. Sometimes pressure comes from the feeling that a parent or coach expects you to always win.

But it can come from inside, too: Some players are just really hard on themselves. And specific situations can add pressure: Maybe there's a recruiter from your No. 1 college scouting you on the sidelines.

Whatever the cause, the pressure to win can sometimes stress you to the point where you just don't know how to have fun anymore.

It's natural to feel some stress before a big game or when facing a tough opponent. That positive pressure can prepare us to do our best. Stress can help us rise to a challenge and meet it with alertness, focus, and strength.

When the challenge is over, the stress lets up. We can relax and recharge. Then we're ready for the next challenge. But at times, there are more demands and pressures than we can handle. Stress can pile up if the stressful situation doesn't have a specific end point.

Ongoing stress can exhaust our energy and drive. And, it can interfere with doing our best.

If you're facing stress that doesn't let up or feeling so pressured you're not enjoying sports, it's time to do something about it.

First, identify where your stress is coming from. Then, think about actions you can take to lower the stress or to cope with it better.

Talk over these ideas with a friend, parent, coach, or fitness instructor. Get their perspectives, support, and advice. Ask them to help you decide what to do to ease the pressure you're facing. Just sharing what you're going through can lower stress, refresh your energy, and remind you that you're not alone.

Chronic stress isn't fun - and fun is what sports are all about. There are plenty of other benefits to playing sports - like developing sportsmanship, learning to perform under pressure, practicing skills, and working hard toward goals. Sports help us build self-esteem, teamwork, and strong relationships with teammates. Sure, it's stressful at times, but it's worth it. Because it's also really fun.  

Stress will always be a part of competition and sports. But we can use stress to our advantage by dialing it back and managing it well. We can use stress to boost our performance rather than let it defeat us.