In the sports community, some people stigmatize those who go for counseling or therapy. However, it is important to note that mental health counseling is vital to deal with life issues, stress, and different types of mental illnesses.

When you go for mental health counseling, you will learn new things about yourself, gain more confidence, etc.

Here are some of the things you will gain when you go for mental health counseling as an athlete:

Mental resilience

Getting mental health counseling will help to improve your mental toughness over time. You will realize that seeking help does not mean that your weak, it is a sign of strength.

With mental health counseling, athletes can improve their performance on the field, and they can have a good life off the field.

Self-care

One of the mistakes that professional athletes make is undergoing unhealthy habits that deteriorates their mental health. Going for mental health counseling exposes you to vital self-care tips that will keep your physical and mental health in shape.

Stress reliever

Another importance that comes with mental health counseling is that you will learn how to manage stress.

If you have high stress levels, mental health counseling teaches you how to bring it down. You will learn how to balance family, work and other important aspects of your life without getting unnecessarily stressed.

Constant support

Some people feel that athletes have everything figured out but this is a long-standing myth. There are many athletes who feel that no one understands them, or can relate with what they are experiencing.

Mental health counseling can provide the needed support that professional athletes to keep themselves in one piece.

Health tips

With mental health counseling, you will learn important health tips that will positively impact your overall health.

You will learn the essence of eating a nutritious diet, sleeping regularly, undergoing physical exercise amidst other health tips. Doing some of these healthy habits will reduce the chances of getting addicted to substances like drugs and alcohol.

Even though studies have shown that physical exercise or activity has lots of positive benefits for the body, athletes can still get stressed if care is not taken.

Hence, it becomes important for professional athletes to identify when they are stressed and take the necessary corrective measures.

In this post, professional athletes will learn how to spot the signs of stress

Extreme fatigue

When athletes have mental health issues, it might become difficult to manage stress. This can cause disruptions in their sleeping patterns.

Some of them might find it hard to sleep because of tiredness, while others may oversleep and still feel fatigued. When an athlete is fatigued, it can affect their performance, and they could experience delayed reaction at some intervals.

Regular mood swings

Another way to know when a professional athlete is stressed is when they frequently experience mood swings.

For instance, they can suddenly throw tantrums, and be calm the next minute. Their teammates will notice these abrupt mood changes which can leave them confused, not knowing how to react.

Reduced interest in sports

It is easy to know an athlete who is still genuinely interested in sports, and those who are gradually losing interest. This happens because stress affects their hormonal and chemical balance, which can take a negative toll on their physical energy levels.

When an athlete’s physical energy reduces, they can become less interested during the training or actual training.

Substance abuse

Stressed athletes are likely to indulge in unhealthy habits like taking excess drugs and alcohol. They might take any of these substances so that they can feel good and motivated to continue with their day.

Drugs and alcohol often come with short-lived positive effects that wear out soon. Eventually, they go back to feeling down and sometimes, depressed or anxious.

When a professional athlete is feeling stressed, it is important they seek help from their healthcare provider to avoid putting their career and health in harm’s way.