Become yourself once again
Figuring out how to get past these life challenges can feel hard. So how can we get past them? This page is dedicated to providing possible solutions that have helped me and other people get over the mental health problems that can warp life for the worst. Finding what works for you and can help you heal is the first step towards beginning to feel like yourself again.
meditate
Many people overlook the significance of meditation due to how hard it is to maintain consistency. The thought of sitting alone for 10 minutes straight without any mental stimulation can be intimidating, but the truth is, it can be a game-changer. One of the key aspects of depression and other mental health challenges is that these student athletes constantly criticize themselves for any perceived mistakes. This constant overthinking and stress stemming from internal conflicts exacerbate the problem. Incorporating meditation into a routine is an effective way to break free from self-doubt and mental clutter. By clearing your mind for just 10 minutes daily, you can gradually gain clarity and build consistency yet again.
Seek Help
Find something new
When it feels like everything is going in the wrong direction, many student athletes crumble under the pressure. The pressure put onto these students may feel like such a burden that it can be hard to take a break and reflect. If you love your sport but it is causing you distress, the healthiest course of action to take may just be to take a step back. During these times, it is important to find something new that can make you happy. For me, I found that meditation, weightlifting, and hanging out with my friends made me way more happy, and allowed me to release some of the stress of being on a team. Finding some clarity in new hobbies can allow you to regain the confidence to succeed again in things that felt hard — like doing well in school. Almost any new hobby will increase chances for mental clarity and it can even be the thing that one needs in order to control one’s life — perhaps even giving the tools to go back to the sport they love without feeling like it's a huge mental burden.
Recognizing your mental health challenges and acknowledging that you can’t do it alone is a crucial first step. I remember being so ashamed of my feelings as a basketball player that I became too embarrassed to talk to anyone. I thought that by not talking, I could maybe make the feelings of not being enough weaker. But that didn’t work. It made me feel even more isolated and consumed by my thoughts. The best thing I ever did for my well-being was opening up to my parents, friends, and family. I was so afraid of judgment that I forgot that I, like you and everyone else, have people who genuinely care and want to help. Just having a safe space to talk to others is so important for getting away from isolation. During tough times, remember that so many people love you. Reach out to them; it’s crucial for your mental health.
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self talk
In order to make some positive changes towards gaining a better mindset, it is highly important to practice self-affirmation. With depression and other mental health issues, negative thoughts can build up and it is easy to blame yourself for everything in your life that may seem hard. This leads to self-hatred and, ultimately, a deep form of depression. To avoid this, you must prioritize the way you speak to yourself, and try do so in a positive manner. Instead of focusing on the bad, focus on the good. Loving yourself is the only way you can truly heal and learn to accept yourself. Admit that you have qualities that bother you, but more importantly focus on all the great qualities that make you, you. That type of self love can go a long way towards healing.
