The world of sports has provided us with historic moments, memorable achievements, and athletes who have reached seemingly impossible goals. However, behind those moments of glory and victory lies a component as essential as it is overlooked: mental health.
For both high-performance athletes and amateurs, taking care of mental health is crucial for their overall well-being and athletic performance.
Mental Health in Sports: More than a Reserve of Inner Strength
Mental health is not simply about having high emotional resilience to stressful situations. Mental health should have a holistic approach, as it is a crucial pillar for maintaining balance in everyday life. In the sports context, mental health plays a decisive role in managing pressure, maintaining focus, and achieving peak performance. Both elite athletes and those participating in amateur sports face situations where they must manage significant stress peaks, high expectations, and physical challenges that can jeopardize their physical and psychological well-being.
According to Miriam Aparicio, psychologist and Wingwave coach, mental health is above physical health. When a person has a centered mind, they gain high capacities for concentration, attention, and emotional management. Even if they have an injury or have had a problem that has affected them, the person knows how to direct their attention towards the path to achieve the goal.
"Mental health is fundamental for competing in high performance and for the well-being of the person behind the athlete,"
From Ricky Rubio to Simone Biles: Challenges and Lessons in the Realm of Mental Health
There are two recent cases that have made headlines in the realm of mental health and elite sports. These are the cases of Ricky Rubio, NBA player, and Simone Biles, Olympic gymnast. Both have been very generous in publicly sharing their personal situations to contribute to greater awareness of the importance of mental health in sports, even when they are supposed to 'have it all' to be happy; success, worldwide reputation, and athletic achievements.
The constant pressure of competition, injuries, and immense public exposure have affected Ricky Rubio's mental health, leading him to take a break from competition to prioritize his well-being and seek treatment away from the media spotlight.
Simone Biles' decision to temporarily withdraw from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics for mental health reasons made headlines worldwide. The relentless pressure of being "the best," coupled with the responsibility of representing her country, led her to make a very brave decision for the sake of her psychological well-being. Simone Biles set a precedent for future generations of athletes. Taking this step in time allowed her to return to compete at the highest level two years later.
From Miriam's psychological perspective, Simone Biles, before her temporary withdrawal, felt like an object and did not recognize herself. Now, after many years of work, she believes that she has managed to recognize herself as a person.
For Miriam, success stories like Simone Biles' are a great inspiration for all those athletes who are going through similar situations, moments where a person gets lost and must find themselves again.
Causes of Worsening Mental Health in Sports
There are various causes that can affect athletes' mental health. Among them are:
- Pressure and Expectations Management: High expectations, both internal and external, can generate high levels of stress in athletes regardless of their level of competition. The higher the level of competition, the greater the pressure.
- Injuries and Performance: Injuries or poor performance can trigger feelings of frustration and hopelessness.
- Public Exposure: Media attention and criticism can negatively affect athletes' self-esteem and confidence.
- Social Isolation: Extreme and almost exclusive dedication to sports can lead to disconnection from family and friends.
The Importance of Proper Emotional Management Training from the Ground Up
Early training in emotional management skills can be crucial for competitive athletes to face challenges with resilience and psychological well-being. Teaching young athletes to express their emotions, confront adversity, and seek support when needed is the foundation of a healthier and more balanced sporting life.
Numerous young sports talents end up developing mental health issues due to the excessive pressure and exposure they receive from their immediate environment, which tries to highlight their talent without considering the expectations, stress, and pressure that all of this places on the athlete. Therefore, it is of utmost importance for these young individuals to learn emotional management strategies and skills that will also serve them in all areas of life.
According to Miriam Aparicio: "It's a mistake to neglect mental health and emotional aspects during the formative stages of athletes. It's essential for athletes to know themselves as athletes and as individuals in order to achieve their goals in a healthy way."
Preventing Issues and Detecting Warning Signs
To prevent mental health problems in sports, it's essential to create an environment of support and open communication among the team of coaches, peers, and family members. Some warning signs that could indicate a deterioration in mental health include changes in behavior, social isolation, loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities, and concentration problems.
Miriam defines a general change in the athlete's behavior as one of the main warning signs:
"It's important that the people closest to the athlete notice if the athlete gets blocked during sports practice or closes off when receiving instructions. Furthermore, their academic performance could be affected, as well as disruptions in sleep or an increased appetite".
A combination of factors that can lead to more recurrent injuries, as these are an indicator of emotional stress."
Strategies and Solutions to Enhance Mental Health
To improve mental health in sports, it's vital to promote a holistic approach to well-being. Some strategies and solutions include:
- Awareness and Education: Promoting greater awareness about the importance of mental health in sports and providing training in emotional management skills.
- Professional Support: Providing access to mental health professionals specialized in the sports field.
- Stigma Reduction: Encouraging an environment where athletes feel comfortable discussing their emotional well-being without fear of judgment.
- Rest and Recovery: Promoting a culture that values rest and recovery as fundamental elements for optimal performance.
According to Miriam, one of the best ways to work on strategies to address mental health-related issues is through group meetings.
"It's very important for athletes to have a space where they can communicate with someone who listens and offers support. They should feel like people above all."
She also emphasizes that it would be very positive to provide training in this area to the parents of athletes, so they can learn to manage their sports-oriented children's moments of tension and help them manage their emotions.
Therefore, mental health must be included in any sports program, whether it's for high performance or amateur levels. The cases of Ricky Rubio and Simone Biles remind us that no sports achievement can compensate for the sacrifice of our emotional well-being.
It's time to take a step forward and prioritize mental health in sports, creating an environment of support and care that allows athletes to reach their full potential on the field and in life.
