Winning endless matches to rigorous training sessions, the uproar in the sports world rarely mentions any behind-the-scenes picture of athletes. Their long hours of strength sessions often overpower their need to feel calm. But it doesn’t have to.

It’s time to let go of those red capes and understand athletes are humans too. Just like Simone Biles said, “It’s okay not to be okay.” Sports people have plenty of ups and downs. So, taking some time to pause is fine.

Mental Health is essential for everyone.

Mental Health for Sportspersons is not an Option.

Much of the debate around mental health centers around anxiety and depression that non-athletes go through. The popular notion that athletes ‘thrive under competitive pressure’ is accepted as their brains work like machines. Unfortunately, it couldn’t be any further from the truth.

After all, athletes are human, too, hence, equally susceptible to depression and anxiety. While disciplined training helps them excel in their respective categories, the complexities of sports lifestyle invite struggles of eating disorders, depression, and anxiety as complimentary not-so-favorite gifts.

As a result, athletes brush their emotional and mental stressors under the carpet to keep going until they can no more. The importance of mental health in sports can never be replaced with physical fitness and the number of trophies.

Therefore, it’s time to have more open conversations focused on athletes’ mental health.

Time to Break the Stigma– IOC & WHO

The mental health narrative has finally found a place in the sports arena. All thanks to the efforts of organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which are taking an innovative approach to supporting athletes' mental well-being of athletes. The recent steps of introducing the new Mental Health Action, Plan and making resources like Athlete365 easily accessible widen its scope.

In a nutshell, it’s time to break the taboo around this concept and bring more awareness to the audience and sportspersons.

5 Tips to Promote Brain Health in Athletes

The brain needs care just as much as any other organ. So, here are five tips to help you promote mental health and well-being to keep the graph of your athletic journey rising:

Understand the Importance of Nutrition

As an athlete, you must have read a thousand times about adding X, Y, and Z foods to your diet to enhance performance. Most “health-related” research brings out a unanimous result - an acute focus on the nutrients the body requires for physiological well-being.

But what about the nutrients your brain needs to function properly?

Like your body needs protein, the brain also requires its ‘protein’ in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. These nutrients help you avoid memory lapses and improve clarity. For instance, fish, walnuts, and flaxseeds can help improve cognitive function, called brain foods.

So, try adding blueberries to your breakfast or mid-morning snacks. You should also include green leafy vegetables, which also support eye health. These brain-boosting foods combined with nuts help you increase concentration while playing and gain a sense of calm.

Rest & Sleep– Deserve a Place in Your Life

Train, eat, set the alarm, sleep, and again train. This is an everyday routine of most sportspersons. The determination to win the competition is so high that, at one point, their mental health starts to suffer.

As a result, performance gets a hit.

So, next time you question yourself why you feel frustrated, burned out, and exhausted, jot down– it’s because you’re sleep deprived. Stop pushing yourself to the limit, and learn to hit snooze when your body requires it.

On average, you need at least 7-8 hours of sleep to recuperate your brain and body. It will help your body to relax and give your best in the fields. So, instead of ignoring your body’s sleep signs, nap between your intense workout sessions and establish a healthy bedtime routine.

Learn to leverage this powerful tool instead of overlooking its benefits.

Mindfulness Helps You Gain Clarity

There’s a reason mindfulness has been the talk of health & wellness blogs lately. It guides athletes to reprogram their minds and learn to stay in the present.

A sportsperson’s life is filled with challenges, failures, and triumphs. If their focus is always on what has already been done, no matter how hard they train, their mind will stay stuck. Such a scenario causes competitive anxiety, stress, sudden mood changes, and lack of focus. 

On the other hand, practicing mindfulness gives you the power to observe thoughts, cultivate a sense of calm, and motivate yourself. Here, practices like meditation, deep breathing, Yoga, and Tai chi, are known to be the most effective. You can also take help from a mental health and wellness coach to find a suitable solution for yourself.

Time to Set Realistic Goals

Setting unrealistic goals is nothing new to athletes. Whether it is because of peer pressure, or their desire to be the best among all, when expectations rise to an unmanageable level, failures become hard to cope with.

Being ambitious is good, but one to set realistic goals, not impossible ones. Unachievable goals will lead to self-doubt and consequently hinder performance.

Identifying your short and long-term goals to maintain good mental health is crucial. Celebrate every win without guilt because you worked hard to reach that milestone. Also, learn that failures are opportunities to go for something bigger.

Once this is achieved, defeats will inspire you to work harder and get the expected results.

Engage With Your Peers

From training to traveling and training in between, athletes hardly get enough time to spend with loved ones. While this has become a status quo, mental health experts suggest that the absence of an emotional support system harms sportspersons. Extreme fitness sessions, isolated training, and intense competitions make them vulnerable emotionally and mentally. 

That’s why having someone they can rely on, such as family or friends, will make talking about their struggles easier. Bottling up everything inside seems easy, but it harms mental well-being. So, find a trustworthy person with whom you feel comfortable and can communicate freely.

It will eliminate all stress-causing factors.

Verdict: The importance of mental health in sports is vital

A competitive environment and the tendency to be perfect may take a toll on your mental health. It’s a must for your overall well-being to realize the importance of mental health in fields like sports. Start prioritizing mental peace and take necessary pauses whenever required. These will boost your performance and brings more clarity to your thoughts.

If you are looking for a mental health and wellness coach, try exploring our platform, as we help you match with a suitable coach and trainer.