Mental health matters. We have all heard this, but what do we actually do to practice it? “Mental health is critical for student-athlete well-being both in and out of their sport,” says Lindsay Arnold, VIS Expert™ and certified mental performance coach. Arnold is the academic coordinator at East Carolina University—she knows intimately just how important mental health is to student athletes’ wellbeing. We can’t be at our athletic peak, without being at our mental peak. As humans—and athletes—we “cannot pour from an empty cup,” she says.
We asked Arnold, as well as Simone Cooper, VIS Expert™ and former NYU Track athlete who has experienced firsthand the mental toll of the pressure placed on student-athletes, for their tips on creative ways to keep tabs on our mental health.
Talk to someone you trust
“I am a huge proponent of therapy,” Arnold says, adding that a mental health professional can help us seek additional help when we need it. Outside of a therapist or counselor, talking to an advisor we trust and feel safe with—a coach, teammate, or family member—can also be really helpful, Arnold says.
Have a positive release valve
The most valuable thing we can do to keep us happy and healthy mentally is to have a positive outlet away from sport to relieve stress, says Arnold. She encourages us to not underestimate the benefits of seemingly small activities like going to the beach, walking the dog, or reading a book—activities which can seem like “wastes of time” for busy student-athletes, but are really productive, especially for a brain boost.
Track your mood
Arnold reminds us that “emotions are human and good,” but if these emotions are consistently and negatively disrupting our daily routines, then seeking help may be beneficial. We should pay attention to the duration, intensity, and frequency of these feelings, their subsequent effects, and potential contributing factors.
A great way to do that? Write it down. Journaling is a great way to see fluctuations in mood and emotions over time. Arnold recommends daily check-ins with ourselves with a tool like the Five Minute Journal. Arnold shares, “When I am consistently reflecting on how I want my day to go and how I ended my day, I am more likely to have a positive outlook.”
The Whoop™ band can also be a useful tool for self-evaluation of our mental health and positive motivation to take small actions to better our well-being. The WHOOP journal gives users an opportunity to note daily feelings and take advantage of their suggested mental health activities, focusing on purpose, efficacy, and control.
WHOOP also offers mental health surveys that contribute to monthly performance assessments and mindfulness features promote rest and recovery, such as through sleep, heart rate, and sleep metrics that can help us make small adjustments to maximize performance. “I think WHOOP and SMART goals are helpful in breaking down what it is that one wants to accomplish, what obstacles they might encounter, and how they can overcome them,” says Cooper. She adds that identifying a time frame and having specific markers is helpful for athletes as we are inherently goal-oriented.
“Just as we need to take the necessary step to take care of our body, we must do the same with our mind and our overall mental health.”
There is no shame or weakness in asking for help. “Just as we need to take the necessary step to take care of our body,” Cooper says, “we must do the same with our mind and our overall mental health.”
