Olympians and Paralympians represent the peak of athletic accomplishment, and the Olympic Games are a chance for athletes to represent their countries with pride. However, along with success and celebration comes disappointment when the desired outcome is not met, for example if they don’t win a medal.
Bertrand Stern-Gillet, CEO at Health Assured, the UK and Ireland’s leading independent EAP provider, says “Unsurprisingly, the pressures of high-profile sporting events, such as the Olympics and Paralympics, can put a major strain on athletes’ mental health and wellbeing. Many have worked their whole lives for the chance to compete for Olympic gold, and if they fall short of the goal they have set, this can be difficult to accept.
“As well as the targets athletes set themselves, they also must deal with immense pressure and expectation from their teammates, coaches, judges and the world. Success or failure in the Olympics happens on a very public level.
“Simone Biles was one of the recent Olympians to speak up about the pressures athletes face with their mental health, opening the door for more elite athletes to talk about their mental health. Just yesterday, British diver Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix spoke emotionally about her own mental health struggles and pride at having overcome them to reach the Olympic finals.
“This sends a clear message that mental health issues are not something to be ashamed of and having them does not mean you are ‘broken’ or ‘weak’.
“Mental health is important for every aspect of life, athlete or not, and cultivating good mental health practices to lead a healthier and happier life should be a priority for everyone. To mitigate the pressures, take time to understand and improve your mental health.”
Here are some ways to boost mental health
- Feed your body well – Obviously this is an area where elite athletes excel, but sometimes relaxing their diet can help boost mental health. For us mere mortals, the way you feed your body affects both physical and mental health. 95% of the body’s serotonin (or feel-good hormone) is produced in the gastrointestinal tract, so looking after the gut with healthy food is imperative in boosting mental health.
- Practice gratitude – Gratitude is like a muscle, it can be built and shaped in a way that is right and comfortable to you. In the short-term, practicing gratitude boosts mood, decreases stress, and reduces anxiety symptoms. In the long-term it can change the way your brain recognises positive experiences every day, increasing awareness of positivity.
- Experiment with a new activity – Competition can be all-consuming, and many elite athletes report feeling burned out or falling out of love with their chosen sport. Taking up new activities and hobbies can make you feel invigorated, reduce stress and enhance mood. Tom Daley is a good example of this, he can often be seen poolside knitting or crocheting to help alleviate the pressures of diving.
- Show kindness – When we show kindness and compassion towards others, our serotonin and dopamine increases, subsequently, boosting our mood and mental health. Acts of kindness also enhance feelings of being in control, happiness, and confidence. So rather than simply celebrating individual success, acknowledge fellow competitors who may be feeling very differently than you in that moment. Some of the most moving moments come from watching people overcome adversity or hearing the crowd cheer an athlete across the finish line far behind the winner, having won their own personal race. A kind word goes a long way.
- Laugh – Laughter is an important part of life. Mark Twain said, “The human race has one really effective weapon, and that is laughter.” It lifts spirits, brings people together, defuses anger, and reduces pain. When we laugh the body relaxes, relieving tension and stress, making way for positive feelings and emotions to flood the mind and body. Laughter may even ease symptoms of mental health conditions, like depression and anxiety, providing a free and easy coping mechanism to be able to thrive.
