Learning to Take a Time Out: Athletes Prioritizing Mental Health
"I think we're just a little bit too stressed out… We should be out here having fun—and sometimes that's not the case."
This quote from gold-medal-winning gymnast Simone Biles highlights the delicate balance many athletes struggle to maintain as they weigh the passion they have for their sport against their overall mental health and wellbeing.
After stepping down from competition in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics due to mental health struggles, Biles sparked a much needed conversation about mindfulness and self care in the world of athletics. People following the conversation online witnessed how much good those in the public eye can do for reducing stigma around mental health issues. And now Biles has demonstrated what taking care of herself and her mental health has done for her, returning to take home several more gold medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
In a recent article, Cleveland Clinic sports psychologist Matthew Sacco, PhD, explains the extra stigma that athletes face: “If you’re tough, there’s a misconception that you should be able to just do it yourself. You don’t have to get help.” But of course athletes are human just like the rest of us and can benefit from mental health support. Like any other health concern, mental health can have a direct impact on performance and deserves our attention. And just because you can’t see that something is broken on an X-ray, doesn’t mean you aren’t hurting and in need of care.
Anxiety is More Common Than You Might Think.
In the United States alone, there are approximately 46.6 million people living with a mental health condition—that's 1 in 5 Americans. And, though it is documented that playing sports and staying active can help relieve stress for some people, research shows that 34% of elite athletes struggle with anxiety or depression. Thankfully, over the past decade, the conversation about mental illness has become more open, and more people are able to receive comprehensive help with their struggles. Still, there is a long way to go in terms of fully accepting and understanding mental health issues, especially in the high-pressure world of athletics.
Take Care of Yourself!
In light of the 2024 Olympic celebration of greatness, even those of us who aren't yet Olympians can take time out to celebrate the small wins in our lives. Instead of pushing yourself to the extreme, take a step back and check in with yourself and your mental state. By going too hard, you may achieve your biggest goals at the moment, but at what cost? If “winning the gold” in your life costs you your sleep, sanity, and overall wellness, it isn’t really a win. In fact, pushing yourself too far past the point of comfort might be decreasing your performance. You may find that a little time for self care gets you where you want to be—in both your athletic endeavors and beyond.
Putting your mental health first is not easy, but it is definitely an accomplishment you can be proud of.
