{"id":41170,"date":"2022-02-17T01:44:16","date_gmt":"2022-02-17T01:44:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/?p=41170"},"modified":"2024-12-16T08:35:01","modified_gmt":"2024-12-16T08:35:01","slug":"mental-health-and-sports","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/mental-health-and-sports\/","title":{"rendered":"Mental Health And Sports: The Do\u2019s, Don\u2019ts And The In Between"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_75 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/mental-health-and-sports\/#Get_your_personalized\" >Get your personalized<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/mental-health-and-sports\/#How_Are_Mental_Health_And_Sports_Related\" >How Are Mental Health And Sports Related?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/mental-health-and-sports\/#Signs_Of_Mental_Health_Changes_In_Athletes\" >Signs Of Mental Health Changes In Athletes<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/mental-health-and-sports\/#Health_Implications_Of_Mental_Wellbeing_Among_Athletes\" >Health Implications Of Mental Wellbeing Among Athletes<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/mental-health-and-sports\/#Anxiety_Disorders\" >Anxiety Disorders<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/mental-health-and-sports\/#Eating_Disorders\" >Eating Disorders<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/mental-health-and-sports\/#Body_Dysmorphic_Disorders\" >Body Dysmorphic Disorders<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/mental-health-and-sports\/#Psychosomatic_Illnesses\" >Psychosomatic Illnesses<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/mental-health-and-sports\/#Substance_Use_Disorders\" >Substance Use Disorders<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/mental-health-and-sports\/#Impulse_Control_Problems\" >Impulse Control Problems<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/mental-health-and-sports\/#Stigma_Headstrong_Mental_Health_And_Sports\" >Stigma, Headstrong Mental Health And Sports<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/mental-health-and-sports\/#How_To_Cope_With_Stress_In_The_World_Of_Sports\" >How To Cope With Stress In The World Of Sports<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/mental-health-and-sports\/#Introduce_Some_Change_And_Variety_In_Your_Routine\" >Introduce Some Change And Variety In Your Routine<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/mental-health-and-sports\/#Make_Your_Goals_And_Expectations_Flexible\" >Make Your Goals And Expectations Flexible<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/mental-health-and-sports\/#Be_Confident_In_Yourself\" >Be Confident In Yourself<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/mental-health-and-sports\/#Rest\" >Rest<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/mental-health-and-sports\/#Create_Healthy_And_Supportive_Relationships\" >Create Healthy And Supportive Relationships<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/mental-health-and-sports\/#Set_Realistic_Goals\" >Set Realistic Goals<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/mental-health-and-sports\/#Pay_Attention_To_Your_Needs\" >Pay Attention To Your Needs<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/mental-health-and-sports\/#Before_The_Competition\" >Before The Competition<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/mental-health-and-sports\/#During_The_Competition\" >During The Competition<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/mental-health-and-sports\/#After_The_Competition\" >After The Competition<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-23\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/mental-health-and-sports\/#Are_Sports_Good_For_Mental_Health\" >Are Sports Good For Mental Health?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-24\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/mental-health-and-sports\/#Playing_Sports_Can_Improve_Concentration\" >Playing Sports Can Improve Concentration<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-25\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/mental-health-and-sports\/#Playing_Sports_Can_Improve_Sleep_Quality\" >Playing Sports Can Improve Sleep Quality<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-26\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/mental-health-and-sports\/#Playing_Sports_Can_Boost_Your_Confidence\" >Playing Sports Can Boost Your Confidence<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-27\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/mental-health-and-sports\/#Playing_Sports_Can_Improve_Mood\" >Playing Sports Can Improve Mood<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-28\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/mental-health-and-sports\/#Playing_Sports_Can_Reduce_Stress_And_Feelings_Of_Depression\" >Playing Sports Can Reduce Stress And Feelings Of Depression<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-29\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/mental-health-and-sports\/#Playing_Sports_Provide_An_Avenue_For_Socialization\" >Playing Sports Provide An Avenue For Socialization<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-30\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/mental-health-and-sports\/#Playing_Sports_Can_Help_You_Fight_Addictions\" >Playing Sports Can Help You Fight Addictions<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-31\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/mental-health-and-sports\/#Playing_Sports_Is_Good_For_Your_Long-Term_Mental_Health\" >Playing Sports Is Good For Your Long-Term Mental Health<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-32\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/mental-health-and-sports\/#The_Bottom_Line\" >The Bottom Line<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Being an athlete is not without its challenges. On one shoe you\u2019re a modern-day hero, pushing past obstacles on your quest to your next victory. The other however, you\u2019re human with human limitations and challenges. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Being human you hurt too, you feel and face everything life throws at you like everyone else. Now, it\u2019s fairly easy to diagnose and treat physical injuries because they can be seen. Things are a bit different though when it comes to issues about mental health. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Read on to find out everything you need to know about individual or team sports and mental health.<\/span><\/p>\n\n    <section class=\"ad-single-wrapper\">\n        <div class=\"ad-single-text ad-title-wrapper\">\n            <h3 class=\"ad-single-title\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Get_your_personalized\"><\/span>Get your personalized<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n            <span class=\"ad-single-sub-title color-green\">\n                <svg class=\"icon-sparkle\" width=\"36\" height=\"21\" viewBox=\"0 0 36 21\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                    <path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\"\n                          d=\"M34.6837 0.515943C34.8247 0.835947 34.9421 1.16291 34.9891 1.48987C35.1417 2.64466 35.3179 6.51949 35.2592 7.29863C35.2592 7.53515 35.1887 7.7995 35.0243 8.01516C34.7307 8.39777 33.9791 8.4256 33.5681 8.07081C33.4154 7.94559 33.3215 7.77863 33.2745 7.61863C33.1453 7.15254 33.0396 6.68645 32.9809 6.22035C32.8165 4.81512 32.6638 3.40293 32.5581 1.9977C32.5229 1.53161 32.6051 1.05856 32.6991 0.592466C32.7695 0.244637 33.251 -0.0197144 33.6973 0.00115537C34.2257 0.0289818 34.5546 0.230723 34.6837 0.515943ZM18.6184 9.78225C18.5734 9.67557 18.5344 9.57528 18.4971 9.47956C18.4178 9.27568 18.3465 9.09257 18.2426 8.91267C16.7159 6.24133 14.2615 3.86217 11.4665 1.60128C11.1377 1.33693 10.7267 1.08649 10.2687 0.919531C10.0221 0.829095 9.52885 0.843009 9.247 0.933445C9.03562 1.00301 8.88295 1.27432 8.92992 1.42736C9.01213 1.71954 9.18828 2.01868 9.4349 2.28303C11.0555 4.02913 12.6879 5.76829 14.3437 7.50048C14.8308 8.0068 15.3395 8.50887 15.8473 9.01L15.8473 9.01001C15.9883 9.14921 16.1293 9.28833 16.2697 9.42746C16.4811 9.64311 16.7159 9.85181 16.9626 10.0466C17.2327 10.2692 17.6437 10.4014 18.0547 10.2553C18.0691 10.2501 18.0836 10.245 18.0981 10.2399C18.1097 10.2358 18.1213 10.2318 18.1329 10.2278C18.3785 10.1424 18.6184 10.0589 18.6184 9.78225ZM1.98942 20.1407C2.17783 20.1221 2.37674 20.105 2.58175 20.0875C2.99012 20.0525 3.42272 20.0154 3.84492 19.9598C6.34632 19.6259 8.84771 19.292 11.3374 18.9442C11.8776 18.8676 12.406 18.7355 12.8875 18.5824C13.5334 18.3807 13.7566 18.0954 13.6509 17.7824C13.5452 17.4694 13.1224 17.2746 12.3826 17.2676C11.8776 17.2607 11.3374 17.2676 10.8559 17.3372C7.69683 17.8102 4.5378 18.2972 1.3905 18.7911C1.03819 18.8468 0.674137 18.9442 0.404034 19.0833C-0.2771 19.4242 -0.065712 19.9598 0.803314 20.092C1.01858 20.1228 1.25262 20.1258 1.51135 20.1291C1.66195 20.131 1.82092 20.133 1.98942 20.1407Z\"\n                          fill=\"#17B991\"\/>\n                <\/svg>\n               meal plan!\n            <\/span>\n        <\/div>\n    \n        <div class=\"ad-single-text ad-desc-wrapper\">\n            <p class=\"ad-single-desc\">What's your main health goal?<\/p>\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2361&utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Mental_Health_And_Sports\" class=\"btn-ad btn-green\">Lose weight<\/a>\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2361&utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Mental_Health_And_Sports\" class=\"btn-ad btn-green\">Feel great<\/a>\n        <\/div>\n        <img class=\"ad-single-img\" alt=\"health-food\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"395\" height=\"383\" src=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/themes\/gridlove-child\/assets\/img\/ad\/health-food.webp\">\n    <\/section>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Are_Mental_Health_And_Sports_Related\"><\/span><strong>How Are Mental Health And Sports Related?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The modern world is constantly evolving, resulting in dynamic cultural <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/balanced-diet\/\">changes<\/a>. These changes can significantly affect the mental and emotional state of athletes. How? Let\u2019s find out.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s no secret that the pressure linked to an average athlete\u2019s daily routine can be intense.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The schedules, training, competitions, off-field obligations can be overwhelming, thus eliciting significant emotional responses. The amount of time and effort put into honing these skills can lead to imbalances in other aspects of our lives that are just as important.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These environmental and developmental influences are responsible for shaping motor, emotional and social aspects of your brain. Additionally, your eating patterns, interpersonal relationships and impulse control could also be affected.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Signs_Of_Mental_Health_Changes_In_Athletes\"><\/span><strong>Signs Of Mental Health Changes In Athletes<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The key to controlling and remediating <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/burnout-prevention-strategies\/\">mental health<\/a> issues is catching them early.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You see, most athletes will not actively seek help with their mental health when they need it. Instead, third parties like a coach or a parent can notice some changes, effectively encouraging them to talk about it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some signs that a sports person may need to have their mental health checked out include (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/journals.lww.com\/cjsportsmed\/fulltext\/2020\/03000\/mental_health_issues_and_psychological_factors_in.8.aspx\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">6<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">):<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Irritability<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Low energy<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sleeping problems<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Changes in eating patterns<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now you usually can\u2019t diagnose some struggling depression through conventional means like an x-ray for a broken bone. It\u2019s the little side issues that you should pay attention to. This is usually because it may be connected to a whole set of deeper matters.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So what exactly are the health implications of the mental <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/importance-of-good-posture\/\">wellbeing<\/a> of athletes? Does it affect performance, or does it go deeper? Keep reading to find out.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Read More:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/best-foods-for-hormone-balance\/\">Best Foods For Hormone Balance: 9 Natural Solutions For Mental, Physical, And Emotional Health<\/a><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2361&#038;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Mental_Health_And_Sports\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-38689 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Frame-5355-1024x576.png\" alt=\"mental health and sports\" width=\"770\" height=\"433\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Frame-5355.png 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Frame-5355-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Frame-5355.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Frame-5355-1636x920.png 1636w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Frame-5355.png 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Health_Implications_Of_Mental_Wellbeing_Among_Athletes\"><\/span><strong>Health Implications Of Mental Wellbeing Among Athletes<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If not addressed, the mental wellbeing of sportsmen may adversely affect their overall <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/foods-to-improve-gut-health\/\">health<\/a>. Some of the known issues attributed to athletes mental health include:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Anxiety_Disorders\"><\/span><strong>Anxiety Disorders<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is one of the most prevalent conditions among athletes. It usually manifests itself in several ways including (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncaa.org\/sports\/2014\/11\/3\/mind-body-and-sport-the-psychiatrist-perspective.aspx\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">7<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">):<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Panic disorders<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Performance anxiety<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Phobic anxiety after injury<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Though uncommon, it\u2019s not unusual to find cases of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and generalized anxiety among athletes (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncaa.org\/sports\/2014\/11\/3\/mind-body-and-sport-the-psychiatrist-perspective.aspx\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">7<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">General anxiety disorders present themselves with worrying too much alongside apprehension that can get out of hand. Obsessive-compulsive disorders, however, are characterized by thoughts, urges and intrusive ideas with ritualized behaviors concerning an activity (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncaa.org\/sports\/2014\/11\/3\/mind-body-and-sport-the-psychiatrist-perspective.aspx\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">7<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Performance anxiety is often associated with excessive anticipation about a specific event that often becomes overwhelming. This in turn leads to panic attacks characterized by symptoms like (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncaa.org\/sports\/2014\/11\/3\/mind-body-and-sport-the-psychiatrist-perspective.aspx\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">7<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">):<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shortness of breath<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shakiness and sweating that often surface rapidly<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Racing heart<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2361&#038;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Mental_Health_And_Sports\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-38678 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Frame-5292-1024x576.png\" alt=\"mental health and sports\" width=\"770\" height=\"433\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Frame-5292.png 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Frame-5292-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Frame-5292.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Frame-5292.png 1152w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Eating_Disorders\"><\/span><strong>Eating Disorders<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is something that affects both sexes. However, it\u2019s fairly common among female athletes and sports that lower body weight favors performance or weight is classed. The activities include (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncaa.org\/sports\/2014\/11\/3\/mind-body-and-sport-the-psychiatrist-perspective.aspx\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">7<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">):<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gymnastics<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Swimming\/diving<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wrestling<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cross-country and distance running<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The classic features in females include amenorrhea, impared eating and osteoporosis (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncaa.org\/sports\/2014\/11\/3\/mind-body-and-sport-the-psychiatrist-perspective.aspx\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">7<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Full symptoms usually show as the disorder <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/fasting-drinks\/\">progresses<\/a> but as the condition worsens, more impairment occurs. These eating disorders can ultimately lead to decreased energy levels and performance among athletes (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncaa.org\/sports\/2014\/11\/3\/mind-body-and-sport-the-psychiatrist-perspective.aspx\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">7<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>BetterMe app is a foolproof way to go from zero to a weight loss hero in a safe and sustainable way! What are you waiting for? <a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2361&#038;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Mental_Health_And_Sports\">Start transforming your body now<\/a>!<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Body_Dysmorphic_Disorders\"><\/span><strong>Body Dysmorphic Disorders<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Body dysmorphic disorders are the preoccupation with imagined defects in appearances that cause distress. This condition is most prevalent among male <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/the-importance-of-breakfast\/\">athletes<\/a> (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncaa.org\/sports\/2014\/11\/3\/mind-body-and-sport-the-psychiatrist-perspective.aspx\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">7<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Muscle dysmorphia is an unhealthy preoccupation with mirror checking, muscularity and dieting. It is most common in sports that usually emphasize on physical size and physique.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Adjustment disorders have also been observed in some sportsmen. It\u2019s usually characterized by behavioral responses to stressful situations that are beyond an athlete\u2019s ability to adapt. The most observed emotions include (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncaa.org\/sports\/2014\/11\/3\/mind-body-and-sport-the-psychiatrist-perspective.aspx\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">7<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">):<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Guilt<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Anger<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sadness<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Anxiety<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All this can in turn lead to behaviors like (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncaa.org\/sports\/2014\/11\/3\/mind-body-and-sport-the-psychiatrist-perspective.aspx\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">7<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">):<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Insomnia<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aggression<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Social isolation<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Poor performance<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Substance use<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Relationship conflicts<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2361&#038;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Mental_Health_And_Sports\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-38701 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Frame-5749-1024x576.png\" alt=\"Fitness App\" width=\"770\" height=\"433\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Frame-5749.png 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Frame-5749-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Frame-5749.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Frame-5749.png 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Psychosomatic_Illnesses\"><\/span><strong>Psychosomatic Illnesses<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do you ever wonder how sports injuries and mental <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/kale-juice-benefits\/\">health<\/a> are connected? Perhaps this can help answer that question.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Psychosomatic illness presents itself as prolonged recovery or frequent injuries, performance problems and pain without supporting evidence (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncaa.org\/sports\/2014\/11\/3\/mind-body-and-sport-the-psychiatrist-perspective.aspx\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">7<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). The symptoms more often than not are just manifestations of emotional issues and are most prevalent in collision sports.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Athletes with this pain are more susceptible to depression, substance abuse,post-traumatic stress disorders and adjustment reactions. It\u2019s also important to note that serious injuries which lead to chronic functional impairment can manifest as a psychosomatic condition (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncaa.org\/sports\/2014\/11\/3\/mind-body-and-sport-the-psychiatrist-perspective.aspx\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">7<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In addition to all that, pain tends to present a unique challenge to the modern day athlete. This is sometimes due to the pressure to continue playing through the pain to maintain your position or standing in the team. Finally, injury can make athletes experience a distinct loss of identity.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Read More:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/6-meals-a-day\/\">6 Meals A Day: Saying Goodbye To The \u2018Less Is More\u2019 Diet Mentality<\/a><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Substance_Use_Disorders\"><\/span><strong>Substance Use Disorders<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Substance use among sportsmen is not similar to that of the general population. They most commonly use (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncaa.org\/sports\/2014\/11\/3\/mind-body-and-sport-the-psychiatrist-perspective.aspx\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">7<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">):<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Opiates<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Marijuana<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alcohol<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Caffeine<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tobacco<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Performance enhancers<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alcohol and drug abuse is most common in male athletes and can lead to severe consequences like (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncaa.org\/sports\/2014\/11\/3\/mind-body-and-sport-the-psychiatrist-perspective.aspx\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">7<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">):<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Injury<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vandalism<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Assault<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Academic problems<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Driving under the influence<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sexual abuse<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Death<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alcohol and drug abuse in most cases occur simultaneously with mental health problems. Now since alcohol is relatively hard to detect on a drug screen, its effect usually manifests as performance decline (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncaa.org\/sports\/2014\/11\/3\/mind-body-and-sport-the-psychiatrist-perspective.aspx\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">7<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stimulant use is increasingly becoming a problem among athletes across the divides. This is especially since it\u2019s used for non-medical reasons. Opiate use on the other hand, is observed after sportsmen with medical issues have them resolved (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncaa.org\/sports\/2014\/11\/3\/mind-body-and-sport-the-psychiatrist-perspective.aspx\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">7<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Impulse_Control_Problems\"><\/span><strong>Impulse Control Problems<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Are you noticing an erratic shift in your behavior or performance? Chances are you have impulse control problems. Sometimes this issue can exhibit itself as fighting, aggression or even risky sexual behaviors (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncaa.org\/sports\/2014\/11\/3\/mind-body-and-sport-the-psychiatrist-perspective.aspx\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">7<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2361&#038;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Mental_Health_And_Sports\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-38657 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Frame-5545-1024x576.png\" alt=\"BetterMe\" width=\"770\" height=\"433\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Frame-5545.png 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Frame-5545-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Frame-5545.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Frame-5545-1636x920.png 1636w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Frame-5545.png 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Stigma_Headstrong_Mental_Health_And_Sports\"><\/span><strong>Stigma, Headstrong Mental Health And Sports<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The importance of mental health can never be overemphasized. However, when it comes to sports, there\u2019s a lot of stigma surrounding this issue.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">See, whenever you\u2019re physically injured as an athlete, there\u2019s a team of health care professionals who ensure a speedy and healthy recovery. The same kind of effort should also be seen when a sportsperson suffers from mental health problems.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While it\u2019s true that sport psychology has been gaining ground in recent years, the stigma around it is still very predominant. This is because there\u2019s an increasing emphasis on being physically and mentally fit in the world of sport. The latter can then lead to a culture of suffering and self-isolation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That said, you should always remember that seeking help is not a sign of weakness. Instead it shows strength, character, courage and resilience. Here are some tips on how you can cope with stress as an athlete:<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_To_Cope_With_Stress_In_The_World_Of_Sports\"><\/span><strong>How To Cope With Stress In The World Of Sports<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Being resilient is crucial in sports. You need to know how to use a range of psychological strategies and skills in managing the daily pressures and stressors.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Below are some strategies and tips to help you navigate the murky world of sports:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Introduce_Some_Change_And_Variety_In_Your_Routine\"><\/span><strong>Introduce Some Change And Variety In Your Routine<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This will help you reduce monotony, burnout, and boredom while maintaining excitement. Actions like changing your schedule or training venues should do the trick.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Make_Your_Goals_And_Expectations_Flexible\"><\/span><strong>Make Your Goals And Expectations Flexible<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Be sure to constantly revise them in a bid of better adapting to any challenges and changes that may occur. Focus on enjoying the moment and the process and relieve yourself of the constant pressure of winning. In short, just have fun and enjoy yourself!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2361&#038;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Mental_Health_And_Sports\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-38654 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Frame-4172-1024x576.png\" alt=\"mental health and sports\" width=\"770\" height=\"433\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Frame-4172.png 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Frame-4172-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Frame-4172.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Frame-4172.png 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Be_Confident_In_Yourself\"><\/span><strong>Be Confident In Yourself<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Developing confidence in yourself is just as important. Ensure that you\u2019re always aware of your strengths and resourcefulness. This can go a long way in increasing your self-confidence and problem solving skills.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Rest\"><\/span><strong>Rest<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Resting and recovering is important in any physical activity. It will leave you energetic, freshened up and ready to face the next challenge thrown your way.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Intense sweat sessions, working weight loss tips, lip-smacking recipes come in one package with the BetterMe app. And all of it is at your fingertips, <a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2361&#038;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Mental_Health_And_Sports\">start transforming your life now<\/a>!<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Create_Healthy_And_Supportive_Relationships\"><\/span><strong>Create Healthy And Supportive Relationships<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sometimes all it takes to pull you through a difficult situation is some motivation from people closest to you. That being said, always mold healthy, supportive relationships with your friends, family and most especially teammates.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Set_Realistic_Goals\"><\/span><strong>Set Realistic Goals<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Developing unrealistic goals that cannot be achieved can be really stressful. As such, ensure the goals you come up with are within your sphere of influence and ones that you can achieve. This applies to both long term and short term goals.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Pay_Attention_To_Your_Needs\"><\/span><strong>Pay Attention To Your Needs<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Always listen to your body. Avoid overtraining and don\u2019t push yourself over your limits. Doing that will turn out to be counterproductive in the long run and end up affecting your physical and mental health (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.samford.edu\/sports-analytics\/fans\/2017\/Overtraining-and-Overuse-Injuries-Causes-Burnout-in-a-Young-Athlete#:~:text=Overtraining%20in%20sports%20is%20a%20huge%20threat%20to,Physical%20and%20mental%20burnout%20is%20a%20huge%20threat.\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">8<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That being said, there are some things you should do to get in the right mental state when participating in events. We look at that next.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2361&#038;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Mental_Health_And_Sports\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-38644 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Frame-5436.png\" alt=\"mental health and sports\" width=\"960\" height=\"540\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Frame-5436.png 960w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Frame-5436-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Frame-5436.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Before_The_Competition\"><\/span><strong>Before The Competition<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Practice visualization. It helps to focus on your goals then visualizing yourself going through the process to achieve them.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Also, remember it\u2019s not only okay to accept any feelings of anxiety, but it\u2019s also helpful to do so. Normalize the physical symptoms that come with it, then remind yourself of your strengths and positives, and that those will remain no matter the outcome.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finally, don\u2019t measure your self worth based on the outcome. Wrap it all up by doing a nice warm up, eating a healthy meal, engaging in positive self-talk and allowing yourself enough time to get ready.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"During_The_Competition\"><\/span><strong>During The Competition<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s all about the moment. The activity you\u2019re doing at that point. Just focus on your breathing, do not second guess yourself and keep thinking about all the positives.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"After_The_Competition\"><\/span><strong>After The Competition<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is probably the most vital stage in any sporting event. It\u2019s at this point that you either make or break your mental state as an athlete.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">First off, identify all the things you did well, the feats you\u2019ve accomplished and all your strengths throughout the event.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Next, look at the things you could improve on in the future, however, only focus on what you can control. Reduce the tendency of fixating on things you had little or no control over.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finally, enjoy the fact that the event is over and that your body needs to rest and recover. You pulled through the whole competition, focus on that and celebrate your hard work. Take part in some activities you weren\u2019t able to during your intense training and preparation periods.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now that the competition is over, focus on your present situation by setting a personalized daily structure. Set aside some time to relax, and for some leisure and meaningful activities. Most importantly, spend some quality time with your friends and family.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2361&#038;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Mental_Health_And_Sports\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-38627 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Frame-5742-1024x576.png\" alt=\"BetterMe\" width=\"770\" height=\"433\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Frame-5742.png 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Frame-5742-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Frame-5742.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Frame-5742.png 1152w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_Sports_Good_For_Mental_Health\"><\/span><strong>Are Sports Good For Mental Health?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019re probably now asking yourself what exactly is the link between sports and mental health activity. Is the situation as grim as it sounds? Short answer, no.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Engaging in sporting activities do come with lots of benefits for your mental health if done properly. Some of them include:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Playing_Sports_Can_Improve_Concentration\"><\/span><strong>Playing Sports Can Improve Concentration<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Working out frequently improves your mental skills like learning, critical thinking and concentration abilities. In addition to that, performing physical activities like playing sports reduces the risk of cognitive and neurological disorders like Alzheimer\u2019s (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/21417955\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Playing_Sports_Can_Improve_Sleep_Quality\"><\/span><strong>Playing Sports Can Improve Sleep Quality<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do you ever notice how easily you fall asleep after a good workout session or a sports game? It\u2019s amazing, right?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whenever you work out or play some sports, it\u2019s only natural to get fatigued. This will help you fall asleep faster while deepening your sleep as well.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, take care not to play too close to your bedtime. This can keep you awake and energized, interfering with your sleep pattern.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Playing_Sports_Can_Boost_Your_Confidence\"><\/span><strong>Playing Sports Can Boost Your Confidence<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Organized sports is all about creating, working toward and accomplishing your goals. All this can be extremely rewarding and empowering at the end of the day.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your goals can be anything ranging from winning the game or simply having fun and enjoying the game. Whatever your case is, these team or individual goals provide a heightened feeling of confidence and self worth.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Playing_Sports_Can_Improve_Mood\"><\/span><strong>Playing Sports Can Improve Mood<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Any form of physical activity triggers the production of endorphins which are basically your feel good hormones (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.health.harvard.edu\/staying-healthy\/exercising-to-relax\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). Generally they make you feel happier and relaxed. The bonus? It doesn\u2019t have to be an intense session. You just need to get on your feet, increase your heart rate and have fun.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2361&#038;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Mental_Health_And_Sports\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-38586 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Frame-5373-1024x576.png\" alt=\"Fitness App\" width=\"770\" height=\"433\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Frame-5373.png 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Frame-5373-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Frame-5373.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Frame-5373.png 1152w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Playing_Sports_Can_Reduce_Stress_And_Feelings_Of_Depression\"><\/span><strong>Playing Sports Can Reduce Stress And Feelings Of Depression<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes, when done the right way sports reduces stress and feelings of depression. Recent data shows that about 75% to 90% of doctor visits are stress-related illnesses (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.stress.org\/americas-1-health-problem#:~:text=It%20has%20been%20estimated%20that%2075%20%E2%80%93%2090,primary%20care%20physicians%20are%20for%20stress%20related%20problems.\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Exercising significantly reduces levels of cortisol which are stress hormones while stimulating production of endorphins. This combination is perfect for reducing the risk of depression and stress related issues.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Studies have shown that 20 to 30 minutes of daily exercise can make people feel calmer. This state of calmness can continue for several hours after exercising (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.health.harvard.edu\/staying-healthy\/exercising-to-relax\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). Another study showed that it can be as effective as standard antidepressants, with even modest amounts improving depression (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/23750100\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Playing_Sports_Provide_An_Avenue_For_Socialization\"><\/span><strong>Playing Sports Provide An Avenue For Socialization<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Playing sports will give you the perfect opportunity for social interactions. You\u2019ll get to spend time and bond with your old friends and even meet new ones!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In addition to that, studies have shown that increased socialization can improve your mood and reduce stress (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC2921311\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">9<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). So stop procrastinating about tackling your favorite sport or trying out a new one. You\u2019ll eventually reap the several health benefits associated with it and have some fun while at it.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Playing_Sports_Can_Help_You_Fight_Addictions\"><\/span><strong>Playing Sports Can Help You Fight Addictions<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes, you read that right. In fact, several studies have supported this claim.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For instance, a study on Norwegian teenagers found that teenagers playing team sports were less likely to use cannabis and smoke cigarettes as adults (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/19133899\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). Korean researchers have also been vocal in encouraging the use of sports to help teens combat internet addiction.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Playing_Sports_Is_Good_For_Your_Long-Term_Mental_Health\"><\/span><strong>Playing Sports Is Good For Your Long-Term Mental Health<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Participating in organized team sports can be good for your mental health in the long run.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some research studied 9,688 children with bad childhood experiences like emotional neglect or physical and sexual abuse. It was discovered that the group who took part in team sports had better mental health when they were adults (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/31135890\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Bottom_Line\"><\/span><strong>The Bottom Line<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Taking part in sports can be really great for your overall health. However, it is not without its own risks. There\u2019s always the possibility of physical injuries and in some cases, your mental wellbeing can also be affected.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You should, however, remember that it\u2019s okay to seek help, to talk to someone about what you\u2019re going through. Self isolation will only make things worse in the long run. It\u2019s about time you took that first step, don\u2019t you think?<\/span><\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2361&utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Mental_Health_And_Sports\" target=\"_blank\"><video autoplay=\"autoplay\" loop=\"loop\" muted=\"muted\" playsinline=\"playsinline\" width=\"777\"><source src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/ezgif.com-gif-to-mp4-2.mp4\" type=\"video\/mp4\" \/><\/video><\/a>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Being an athlete is not without its challenges. On one shoe you\u2019re a modern-day hero, pushing past obstacles on your quest to your next victory. The other however, you\u2019re human with human limitations and challenges. Being human you hurt too, you feel and face everything life throws at you like everyone else. Now, it\u2019s fairly [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":41172,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[62,132],"tags":[],"coauthors":[123],"class_list":["post-41170","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-fitness-tips","category-mental-health"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v20.2.1 (Yoast SEO v25.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Mental Health And Sports: The Do\u2019s, Don\u2019ts And The In Between - BetterMe<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Is sports good for your mental health? What is the link between the two? Here\u2019s everything you need to know.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/mental-health-and-sports\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Mental Health And Sports: The Do\u2019s, Don\u2019ts And The In Between\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Is sports good for your mental health? What is the link between the two? Here\u2019s everything you need to know.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/mental-health-and-sports\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"BetterMe Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/betterme.health.coaching\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:author\" content=\"#\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2024-12-16T08:35:01+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/shutterstock_1058862599.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1000\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"667\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Nderitu Munuhe\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@betterme\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@betterme\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Nderitu Munuhe\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"14 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/mental-health-and-sports\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/mental-health-and-sports\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"BetterMe\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/#\/schema\/person\/7100a3394b90d4ed5b5fbddc895cc293\"},\"headline\":\"Mental Health And Sports: The Do\u2019s, Don\u2019ts And The In Between\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-12-16T08:35:01+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/mental-health-and-sports\/\"},\"wordCount\":2712,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/mental-health-and-sports\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/shutterstock_1058862599.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"Fitness Tips\",\"Mental Health\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"articleBody\":\"<span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Being an athlete is not without its challenges. On one shoe you\u2019re a modern-day hero, pushing past obstacles on your quest to your next victory. The other however, you\u2019re human with human limitations and challenges. <\/span><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Being human you hurt too, you feel and face everything life throws at you like everyone else. Now, it\u2019s fairly easy to diagnose and treat physical injuries because they can be seen. Things are a bit different though when it comes to issues about mental health. <\/span><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Read on to find out everything you need to know about individual or team sports and mental health.<\/span>\\r\\n\\r\\n\\r\\n<h2 style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><strong>How Are Mental Health And Sports Related?<\/strong><\/h2>\\r\\n<span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">The modern world is constantly evolving, resulting in dynamic cultural <a href=\\\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/balanced-diet\/\\\">changes<\/a>. These changes can significantly affect the mental and emotional state of athletes. How? Let\u2019s find out.<\/span>\\r\\n\\r\\n<span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">It\u2019s no secret that the pressure linked to an average athlete\u2019s daily routine can be intense.<\/span>\\r\\n\\r\\n<span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">The schedules, training, competitions, off-field obligations can be overwhelming, thus eliciting significant emotional responses. The amount of time and effort put into honing these skills can lead to imbalances in other aspects of our lives that are just as important.<\/span>\\r\\n\\r\\n<span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">These environmental and developmental influences are responsible for shaping motor, emotional and social aspects of your brain. Additionally, your eating patterns, interpersonal relationships and impulse control could also be affected.<\/span>\\r\\n<h2 style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><strong>Signs Of Mental Health Changes In Athletes<\/strong><\/h2>\\r\\n<span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">The key to controlling and remediating <a href=\\\"http ...\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/mental-health-and-sports\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/mental-health-and-sports\/\",\"name\":\"Mental Health And Sports: The Do\u2019s, Don\u2019ts And The In Between - BetterMe\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/mental-health-and-sports\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/mental-health-and-sports\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/shutterstock_1058862599.jpg\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-12-16T08:35:01+00:00\",\"description\":\"Is sports good for your mental health? 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What is the link between the two? Here\u2019s everything you need to know.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/mental-health-and-sports\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Mental Health And Sports: The Do\u2019s, Don\u2019ts And The In Between","og_description":"Is sports good for your mental health? What is the link between the two? Here\u2019s everything you need to know.","og_url":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/mental-health-and-sports\/","og_site_name":"BetterMe Blog","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/betterme.health.coaching","article_author":"#","article_modified_time":"2024-12-16T08:35:01+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1000,"height":667,"url":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/shutterstock_1058862599.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Nderitu Munuhe","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@betterme","twitter_site":"@betterme","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Nderitu Munuhe","Est. reading time":"14 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/mental-health-and-sports\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/mental-health-and-sports\/"},"author":{"name":"BetterMe","@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/#\/schema\/person\/7100a3394b90d4ed5b5fbddc895cc293"},"headline":"Mental Health And Sports: The Do\u2019s, Don\u2019ts And The In Between","dateModified":"2024-12-16T08:35:01+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/mental-health-and-sports\/"},"wordCount":2712,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/mental-health-and-sports\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/shutterstock_1058862599.jpg","articleSection":["Fitness Tips","Mental Health"],"inLanguage":"en-US","articleBody":"<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Being an athlete is not without its challenges. On one shoe you\u2019re a modern-day hero, pushing past obstacles on your quest to your next victory. The other however, you\u2019re human with human limitations and challenges. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Being human you hurt too, you feel and face everything life throws at you like everyone else. Now, it\u2019s fairly easy to diagnose and treat physical injuries because they can be seen. Things are a bit different though when it comes to issues about mental health. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Read on to find out everything you need to know about individual or team sports and mental health.<\/span>\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>How Are Mental Health And Sports Related?<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The modern world is constantly evolving, resulting in dynamic cultural <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/balanced-diet\/\">changes<\/a>. These changes can significantly affect the mental and emotional state of athletes. How? Let\u2019s find out.<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s no secret that the pressure linked to an average athlete\u2019s daily routine can be intense.<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The schedules, training, competitions, off-field obligations can be overwhelming, thus eliciting significant emotional responses. The amount of time and effort put into honing these skills can lead to imbalances in other aspects of our lives that are just as important.<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These environmental and developmental influences are responsible for shaping motor, emotional and social aspects of your brain. Additionally, your eating patterns, interpersonal relationships and impulse control could also be affected.<\/span>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Signs Of Mental Health Changes In Athletes<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The key to controlling and remediating <a href=\"http ..."},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/mental-health-and-sports\/","url":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/mental-health-and-sports\/","name":"Mental Health And Sports: The Do\u2019s, Don\u2019ts And The In Between - BetterMe","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/mental-health-and-sports\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/mental-health-and-sports\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/shutterstock_1058862599.jpg","dateModified":"2024-12-16T08:35:01+00:00","description":"Is sports good for your mental health? 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