WNBA star Caitlin Clark says a kid-friendly ritual helps her manage stress

WNBA star Caitlin Clark shared her mental and physical health routines during an All-Star Weekend interview with Glamour. She revealed that rewatching Disney classics, such as "The Parent Trap," is one of her favorite ways to manage stress, finding comfort in familiar films. Conversely, she avoids popular reality TV like "Love Island," finding it "too cringe" and too time-consuming.

Clark described her pre-game ritual, which involves calming melodies or silence instead of intense music, and journaling to clear her head and focus on her goals. She stated that journaling helps her be intentional about her objectives and acts as a reset if she feels nervous before a game.

For relaxation, Clark enjoys playing golf whenever possible. While traveling for games, she unwinds by taking evening walks and trying new restaurants with her teammates. She also emphasizes the importance of regularly checking in with the team's sports psychologist, discussing both stressors and joys in her life as a helpful reminder and reset.

Clark highlighted a good night's sleep as her top tip for staying in peak condition, stating "there's no better rest and recovery than just straight up sleeping." Recovering from a groin injury has given her a new appreciation for self-care, making her realize that being a professional athlete requires dedicated care for both body and mind, a journey she's actively learning about. This injury has led her to miss 11 regular-season games, a first in her career after never missing a game during her four years at the University of Iowa or her 2024 WNBA rookie season.