The concept of mental strength has long been praised as a component of optimal athletic performance. Hard Athletes swallow struggles and numbing discomfort (and win trophies or medals in compensation for their victims), and they are hailed for doing so by sports organizations, the media, the occasional intrusive parents, championship-hungry coaches, and possibly themselves. But research has shown that this mental strength often comes at the cost of mental health, which means, among other things, that we shouldn’t celebrate it.

“Mental strength means that those who perform well – or are part of the sport – embody a certain degree of toughness, but toughness is a narrow and monolithic concept that does not allow the different identities and experiences of athletes to fully exist” says Leeja Carter, PhD, board member of the Association for Applied Sports Psychology. Prioritizing mental strength above all else can lead to ignoring the onset of an injury or staying silent while overcoming psychological challenges, both of which can be catastrophic. On the other hand, “it is crucial to dispel ‘toughness’ as the ideal aspect of excellence in order to develop a more adaptive and flexible conception of mental health in sport,” adds Dr. Carter added.

“Toughness is a narrow and monolithic concept that does not allow athletes’ diverse identities and experiences to fully exist.” —Leeja Carter, PhD, Sports Psychologist

An exclusive performance priority for an athlete – and his later identity – can be the decisive factor that only wins are assessed regardless of risk, which can fester and thrive in the background psychological problems. According to a 2015 study in Current sports medicine, the prevalence of depression among college athletes in the United States ranged from double to triple that of the total population. While research does not go as far as to cite the pressure put on athletes to win and optimize at all costs as a reason, the correlation is certainly compelling.

And maybe the emphasis is already changing. The tie that binds mental and physical health is a truth pointed out by gymnast Simone Biles in an Instagram story after her retirement from the team final and the individual all-around at the 2020 Olympics. Along with Biles, top athletes like tennis player Naomi Osaka and swimmer Jacob Pebley, who put top-level competitions out to prioritize their mental health, have helped change the long-accepted amalgamation of mental strength and a champion mindset.

This information isn’t exactly new either. A study published in 2004 in Behavior therapy, concluded that contrary to the long-accepted belief that “negative thoughts and emotions must be controlled, eliminated, or replaced in order for athlete clients to perform at their best … efforts to control, eliminate, or correct these inner states.” suppress can actually have the opposite effect. ” Basically, the more mental health problems are neglected, the more pronounced, serious, and potentially harmful they become.

So what should replace the emphasis on toughness? “Goals, flexibility, adaptability and a positive attitude,” says Dr. Carter. These are fundamental components of an optimal mindset for any person pursuing a fitness goal, and they are closely related.

“Goals are important,” says Dr. Carter, “but it’s also important to keep these goals and mindsets flexible. The flexibility and adaptability to unforeseen but likely adversity enables exercisers to view their fitness journey as not fixed but encompassing a variety of circumstances. If you stay flexible, you can regroup yourself and solve problems when things may not go as planned. ”The last important ingredient? A positive mindset or mantra, she says, that can motivate an athlete during competition or hard training sessions.

Additionally, the 2004 study suggests that athletes can improve their performance by developing mindfulness techniques and practices that can encourage instant responses and an unbiased acceptance of what they are going through. These skills can be applied to almost any training or game day scenario, be it negative self-talk, inevitable weather conditions, or maintaining a clear mind to best respond to a coach’s recommendation.

Maintaining optimal mental health requires the athlete to be open with themselves, be honest about their feelings, and have self-compassion in order to be vulnerable no matter what. It may sound like the opposite of mental strength, but it’s of paramount importance in promoting improvement for athletes of all stripes. “Any decision that puts personal safety, health and welfare first is a positive decision and should be commended,” says Dr. Carter. And that goes for athletes of all levels.

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