While athletes are strengthening their muscles and preparing for the season, it is also important they nourish their minds as well — mental health should be athletes’ number one priority

Mental health should always come first. It is okay for an athlete to back out of a tournament or competition to work on themselves —you can always find time away from your craft, but you are always with yourself, and oneself is the most important. 

Without taking a mental health days, athletes may feel like they are not bringing the best of themselves to the game or as if they are letting their teammates down and holding them back. 

Another aspect of mental health contributing to athletes is you can prevent injuring yourself or others. In the right headspace, you can focus better on the task at hand but if you are not taking care of yourself, you’re putting yourself and others around you in danger. 

Mental health also goes into listening to what your body needs. It’s hard to listen to your body when you are so focused on your goals. If you have a drive to reach the highest, you often forget to listen to what you need. 

Society and your peers also brings in another factor, you can get pressure from your friends and family to “push on,” whenever you’re not feeling like it or too tired. Many athletes can lose their passion for what they are doing, so it is important to take care of yourself, and not push yourself too hard. 

Student-athletes can get  wrapped up in wanting to be the best, forgetting that it is also important to take care of yourself so you can be the best version of you.

In conclusion, mental health is just as important as physical health. Athletes should take time out of their schedule to focus on their emotional needs, whether it’s going out with friends or relaxing at home.