Balancing Physical and Mental Health in Athletics

By: C. ​Gontijo

In the modern world, athletes' ability to balance their sporting commitments with other areas of their life has become pivotal. Our world is full of distractions and there are always new branches of our life growing that require our attention and care. In the midst the chaos of everyday life, it can be easy for athletes to neglect their sport and prioritize other things. Or, like other extremes, some athletes feel that the only way they can become successful in their sport is to ignore the rest of their lives, including their struggles, often regarding mental health, and focus on their physical bodies completely. However, studies published by the Canadian Journal of Career Development, titled "The Role of Sport-Life Balance and Wellbeing on Athletic Performance", have shown the importance of leading a balanced life, that takes into consideration athlete's mental and physical health. 

Physical fitness leads to better athletic performance. So much so that detailed analysis of an athlete's anatomic and physiological characteristics can be used to make fairly reliable predictions of their performance. Regular training, proper nutrition and adequate sleep need to be followed to develop physical fitness. And then, as greater muscular strength is developed, athletes can potentiate their abilities and decrease the risk of injuries, as well as aid in post-injury rehabilitation and recovery. In summary, physical fitness can improve speed, power, and coordination, making an athlete's career more formidable.

It is also important to recognize the psychological factors that may affect athletic performance. Motivation, concentration, confidence, and anxiety are some examples of feelings that can interfere in an athlete's mindset. Therefore, it becomes clear the pivotal role that mental wellbeing plays in providing focus, motivation, and resilience to withstand each sport's challenges and overcome them. 
Additionally, there is the fact that physical health problems significantly increase the risk of developing mental health problems and vice versa. For example, having a long-term physical condition can lead to social isolation, low self-esteem, stigma, and discrimination, making an athlete feel tired, frustrated, and stressed. This shows how although the mind and the body are often viewed as being separate, mental, and physical health are more closely related than one might think. The need to take care of your body by exercising regularly can greatly improve your emotional wellbeing, as well as lower rates of mental illness. One terrible effect of poor mental health is the development of psychosomatic illnesses, especially involving athletes, that include pain without supporting evidence, prolonged recovery from injury, frequent injuries, and performance problems. This can worsen feelings of anxiety, apprehension, and nervousness. 

What we can take from these facts is that importance of balancing first physical health. Including personalized training programs, balanced diets and injury prevention techniques in your routine are some effective methods to do so. It is also important to acknowledge and emphasize the need for recovery and rest periods to allow your body to take a break and regain its energy stores. There is also the need to take care of our mental landscapes. We can do that through mindfulness, meditation, and stress management practices. In some cases, a psychologist or mental health professional may be needed to support athletes under great pressure to ensure they keep their minds healthy as well as just their bodies. One interesting example of a method used to combine both physical and mental improvement is yoga, that provides as opportunity for physical exercise and mental relaxation. 
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However, this holistic health management may face some challenges, such as time constraints and societal pressures. Therefore, it is important to set realistic goals and manage your time wisely. In this way, athletes can successfully balance their physical and mental health for optimal athletic performance, whilst prioritizing their well-being.