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.