Athlete Mental Health When Your Season is in Question

When you’re an athlete, one of the biggest contributing factors to your mental health is your sport, and your ability to compete. For some athletes, the physical outlet of training, practicing, and playing is a major key in keeping your mental health in check. For others, the reasons might go deeper than that such as a way to let go of all the things that you take to heart. Whether you previously noticed it or not, it’s likely that your sport provides you with an escape and a release. Now, with gyms closed, practices canceled, and seasons in questions, many athletes are left questioning their purpose. Many might also notice mental wellness issues popping up due to the lack of physical release, mental focus, socialization, or packed schedules.  

Lack of physical activity can mean pent up stress.

When your body is used to being physically active, that means that your system is also used to the release of those feel-good hormones known as endorphins. Athletic training and competition also give you a mental release, a place to clear your mind. What happens when all of that becomes pent up? What about when you combine that with the pressure of the future uncertainties that may arise out of missed or delayed opportunities to compete? That can be a lot of energy that has nowhere to go—at least not in the way that you are accustomed to.

No sports can signal a loss of purpose.

The current sports climate has many athletes feeling like their purpose is on hold or even lost. Instead of moving forward as planned, there are so many new gaps to fill in. In normal circumstances, at least you know your day-to-day schedule and what you’re working towards including deadlines. Now, who really knows?

Not knowing your place in the world—even if it’s temporary—can be really scary.

So, how can you keep your mental health in check during these times of uncertainty?

Here are four mindset shifts to consider when you’re in a state of uncertainty.

1. Become comfortable with the unknown.

I know, I know. The words “comfortable” and “unknown” can cause a wave anxiety, confusion, and complete resistance. But, hear me out.

When you learn to be calm comfortable with the idea of the unknown you’re teaching yourself how to align with who you are. What I mean by that is who you are is not defined by any specific goal. You are you no matter what goals you do or do not achieve. So, when you put all of your self-worth into a goal you’re actually missing what your purpose is. Your self-worth and your purpose are to learn who you are; heal the things that you need to heal from; grow with the lessons that are presented to you; and find ways to be comfortable with exactly who you are no matter where you are.

I’m not encouraging you to abandon your goals. All I’m saying is that even during the heat of competition, you’re likely to encounter some unknowns. You can visualize, you can plan, you can practice, and use every preparation tool known to man, but every now and then, something is going to take you by surprise. Learn to become calm and steady in the face of the unknown.

2. Adapting your idea of physical training.

“I realized that being fit and healthy and training for a purpose, keeps me mentally well.”

– Tyson Fury

Personally, exercise is imperative to my mental health. I find this to be true for many athletes as well. While the way that you’re used to working out, training, practicing, etc. is different than it was even just a few weeks ago, there are ways that you can still exercise with a purpose.

One of the first steps is to overcome mindset blocks. Here are some common ones:

• If I can’t work out with my team in a facility, I won’t get the same results, so what’s the point?
• I’m tired and I don’t feel like doing anything.
• Working out alone is boring.
• I don’t have the right exercise equipment.

Try these instead:

• Exercising is good for my mental health. Keeping up with my mental health is good for my future game.
• I give my body rest as it needs it but I also know it’s important to push myself out of my comfort zone. Exercising is energizing. 
• I’ll set up a group workout over Facetime, WhatsApp, Zoom, HouseParty, etc. We’ll rotate choosing workouts and playlists.
• I know enough about physical exercise to get creative with my workouts with what I have at home.
• I’ll create new fitness goals that will ultimately contribute to my long-term goals.

To the last point, consider making new goals. For instance, when the gyms were still open, I was working towards building muscle. But, with limited equipment at home, I can still train, but my goals have shifted. For example, right now, I’m working on running miles at a faster average rate as well as building endurance through timed or numbered rotation of sets. Some days, my goal is just to burn a particular number of calories. This way, I feel motivated and less willy-nilly about my workouts because I’m still exercising with a purpose.

3. Get comfortable with just being.

So, this is a little like the first point on the list, but it’s also different. Stick with me.

You probably realize that you can’t force yourself to achieve something when the world is at a halt. However, for some, the feeling of not doing or achieving anything is a catalyst for anxiety, depression, OCD, or another mental health issue. Why? Because not achieving things can make you feel like you’re losing control and can make you worry excessively about failing. Many people who suffer from mental health issues cope with those issues by using the act of doing things to make them feel grounded.

Well, at least I’m trying and I’m busy and busy is good because that means that I’m taking some kind of action to control whatever it is that I feel like I can’t control.

This mindset habit can make it incredibly difficult and uncomfortable to sit still with no to-do list or crazy-packed schedule. I believe—from personal experience—when this happens, it’s because you don’t want to be alone with your thoughts and your feelings. Maybe there’s something you have to heal from.

For example, until recently, the only time that I let myself relax was when my body was so exhausted that I had no choice but to rest. I felt that if I wasn’t completely drained, then that meant I didn’t work hard enough and I didn’t deserve a break. I know where that comes from. It’s partly from an insecurity that I developed growing up, feeling like I was never good enough. Regardless of where that comes from for you, you have to recognize it, work to heal from it and work to change your mindset around it.

Here are a few affirmations to help you be comfortable with just being (instead of over-working yourself):

• I am enough. I accept and honor how I feel. I am love.
• I am myself no matter where I am and no matter what I am doing. And, I love me.
• Doing does not mean achieving. There is also success to be found in stillness and in faith.
• It’s not my job to live up to everyone else’s expectations. This is my life and my journey. I relish the chance to just get to be me away from everyone’s watchful eyes.
• I am safe, even without knowing what’s in front of me. I am grounded in the faith that I am going to be okay.

4. Keep accountable with a buddy.

Mental health issues can feel isolating. That can be impacted greatly when you’re practicing social distancing. Even if you can’t physically be around people, you can use technology to connect with people. Whether you’re working on being comfortable with the unknown, trying to find a new workout routine, developing a vision for your future, learning how to be comfortable with being with yourself, or whatever it is, an accountability partner, like a coach, can help you shift from feeling like you have to do everything on your own, to partnering up with someone can help you find your way through this time.

You’re not alone in this. You’re not alone in your concerns or your worries. No two days are ever the same, so it’s okay if your plan shifts each day. An accountability partner can be there to support you no matter how you’re feeling. There are lots of resources available. Even if you’re extremely independent, uncommon times call for uncommon measures so try something different and reach out for support.

If you’re interested in learning more about working me as an athlete mental wellness life coach, contact me here.