When does Mental Health begin to Suffer in High-performing Environments?
Introduction
Simone Biles, a renowned Olympic gymnast, certainly knew how it feels to pay a high price for athletic success. As the Tokyo 2020 Olympics approached—delayed to 2021 by the pandemic—Simone felt the pressure mounting like never before. The eyes of the world were on her, expecting nothing less than gold.
During the team final, something unimaginable happened. Mid-air, Simone lost her bearings. The dreaded "twisties" struck—a terrifying condition where gymnasts lose their spatial awareness while performing.
She landed awkwardly and narrowly avoided a disastrous fall.
The crowd gasped; Simone's expression was one of shock and fear.
Simone knew she had to make a difficult choice. Withdrawing from the team event and subsequent individual competitions, she chose to prioritize her mental health over the pursuit of medals. The decision sent shockwaves through the sports world. While many praised her bravery, others questioned her resolve.
But Simone’s journey didn't end there. She returned to compete in the balance beam final, her nerves and determination on full display. With grace and composure, she delivered a near-flawless routine, earning a bronze medal. It was more than just a victory; it was a triumphant comeback that symbolized resilience and the importance of self-care.
What can we learn from Simone?
Well, one thing is that success shouldn’t come at the cost of our mental health. In fact, the two aren’t mutually exclusive. You can also practice self-care while becoming better at what you do.
Let’s explore how.
When does it get too much?
Just like anything else, ambition can become too much of a good thing. But very few athletes are supported to pay attention to how their drive for success can turn into an enemy. Unfortunately, many of them need to get really unwell to take action. Like in Simone’s case, they wait until their performance severely suffers to start prioritizing their mental health. But as you can see, waiting until that critical moment is even detrimental for one’s career, too. This is why it’s important to recognize the first signs when your mental health declines so you can take action accordingly.
Here are some key indicators to watch for:
Persistent Anxiety and Stress
Athletes often experience high levels of anxiety and stress due to the constant pressure to perform and achieve. If an athlete is frequently anxious, has difficulty relaxing, or is preoccupied with worries about their performance, it could be a sign of underlying mental health issues.
Changes in Mood and Behavior
Significant changes in mood, such as increased irritability, mood swings, or prolonged periods of sadness, can indicate mental health struggles. Athletes may also become more withdrawn, avoiding social interactions and isolating themselves from friends and family.
Sleep Disturbances
Mental health issues often manifest in disrupted sleep patterns. This can include difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or experiencing restless and unsatisfying sleep. Chronic sleep disturbances can further exacerbate stress and anxiety, creating a vicious cycle.
Loss of Interest and Motivation
A noticeable decline in enthusiasm and motivation for training and competition is a red flag. If an athlete who was once passionate about their sport starts to show disinterest or a lack of motivation, it could be a sign of burnout or depression.
Physical Symptoms Without Clear Medical Cause
Stress and mental health issues can manifest physically. Athletes might experience unexplained headaches, stomach issues, muscle tension, or chronic fatigue. These symptoms often persist despite medical evaluations not revealing a clear physical cause.
Poor Performance
A sudden or gradual decline in performance, despite rigorous training and preparation, can be a sign of mental health struggles. Anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues can significantly impair concentration, focus, and overall athletic performance.
Substance Use
Some athletes may turn to alcohol, drugs, or performance-enhancing substances as a way to cope with the pressures and stresses of their sport. Increased reliance on these substances can be a sign of underlying mental health issues.
Negative Self-Talk and Low Self-Esteem
Athletes who consistently engage in negative self-talk, express feelings of worthlessness, or exhibit low self-esteem may be struggling with mental health challenges. This negative internal dialogue can erode confidence and affect overall well-being.
Fear of Failure and Perfectionism
While a certain level of perfectionism can drive success, excessive fear of failure and unrealistic expectations can be detrimental. Athletes who constantly strive for unattainable perfection and are excessively critical of themselves may be at risk of mental health issues.
Changes in Appetite and Weight
Significant changes in eating habits, whether increased or decreased appetite, and noticeable weight fluctuations can be indicators of mental health struggles. Stress and anxiety often affect eating patterns, leading to these changes.
What can protect the athlete’s mental health?
Even in high-stress conditions, athletes can still protect their mental health and look after themselves. Once the warning signs are recognized, the athlete should engage all their personal and professional resources to stop the pressure from deterring their mental health.
Here are some resources that can be accessed in such moments:
Strong Social Support Networks
Social support from coaches, teammates, friends, and family members plays a significant role in buffering the negative effects of stress and pressure in sports. According to research by Dr. Angela Duckworth and colleagues, athletes with strong social connections are better equipped to handle adversity and maintain mental resilience (Duckworth et al., 2018).
Effective Stress Management Strategies
Learning and implementing effective stress management techniques can mitigate the impact of pressure on mental health. Techniques such as mindfulness, deep breathing exercises, and progressive muscle relaxation have been shown to reduce anxiety and improve emotional regulation in athletes (Hanton et al., 2009).
Goal Setting and Positive Visualization
Setting realistic goals and visualizing success can enhance motivation and focus while reducing anxiety. Dr. Carol Dweck's research on growth mindset emphasizes the importance of setting process-oriented goals rather than outcome-focused goals, fostering a resilient mindset in athletes (Dweck, 2006).
Psychological Skills Training
Sports psychologists advocate for the importance of psychological skills training (PST) to enhance mental toughness and resilience. Techniques such as imagery, self-talk, goal setting, and relaxation training are integral parts of PST programs that help athletes cope with pressure and adversity (Vealey, 2007).
Holistic Athlete Development
Emphasizing holistic athlete development, which includes physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being, promotes a balanced approach to sports participation. Dr. Mimi Murray and Dr. Travis Dorsch's research highlights the benefits of integrating life skills and personal development into athletic training programs to support mental health (Murray & Dorsch, 2018).
Cultural and Organizational Support
Creating a supportive organizational culture that prioritizes athlete well-being is crucial. According to studies by Dr. Cindra Kamphoff, organizations that foster a positive team culture, provide adequate resources for mental health support, and encourage open communication contribute to resilient athletes (Kamphoff, 2018).
Wrapping Up
Behind athletic success, there is, in many cases, an intense mental struggle. Unfortunately, too many athletes are encouraged to dream big, but very few are advised to also look out for their sanity. While some athletes recover well, for others, the fight is a lot more difficult. This is why is so crucial to know when ambition becomes too much and when the environment’s pressure takes over one’s life. This article aimed to show you the most common signs to watch out for in times when your mental health begins to suffer, and some resources you can access when this happens. Look after yourself and dream big in your athletic career! We are sure you can do both at the same time.
References
Duckworth, A. L., Eichstaedt, J. C., & Angelevski, A. (2018). The benefits of frequent positive affect: Does happiness lead to success? Psychological Science, 29(6), 944-953.
Hanton, S., Mellalieu, S. D., & Hall, R. (2009). Self-confidence and anxiety interpretation: A qualitative investigation. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 10(6), 685-694.
Dweck, C. S. (2006). Mindset: The new psychology of success. Random House Publishing Group.
Vealey, R. S. (2007). Mental skills training in sport. Handbook of sport psychology, 3, 287-309.
Murray, M., & Dorsch, T. (2018). Holistic Athlete Development. Routledge.
Kamphoff, C. (2018). Beyond grit: Ten powerful practices to gain the high-performance edge. AMACOM.