Week 1 Part 1 - Introduction
What is Mental Health?
Welcome to the first blog installment of The Mindful Athlete. In this post we will be talking about what exactly is mental health. According to expert definition it includes “our emotional, physical, and social well-being.” Mental health is the basis of how we act and react to different circumstances. In the sports world mental health is imperative on performance. It would be really difficult to perform well when you aren’t feeling your best than if you were feeling at your best. But mental health affects everyone differently. Each person is unique and reacts differently to different circumstances. No matter your age or experience, mental health is something a lot of people struggle with. The goal of this blog is to create a platform for athletes to be able to realize they aren’t alone. Everyone struggles, everyone fails, and no one is perfect. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues don’t be afraid to reach out to someone. It could be a parent, a coach or a teacher. Mental health is something that shouldn’t be left unchecked, it should be talked about and coped with. Only by understanding ourselves can we succeed in life.
Week 1 Part 2 - Why?
What is a Why?
In the second installment of The Mindful Athlete blog we will be discussing the importance of finding a why. Meaning, finding a reason to push yourself and see yourself succeed. Finding a why is at the core of becoming successful. You won’t be able to accomplish something without having a reason to do it. However, finding a why can be difficult. In my own life, it took falling to literal rock bottom to realize my purpose and my reason for pushing myself. I needed to look at myself and reflect on my own values and morals. One of the ways I found my why was listening to motivational speeches and podcasts. These included some of the most influential celebrities sharing their stories and how they became successful. Finding yours isn’t something that happens overnight. It requires deep thinking and the ability to look inward and find the source of the issue. Once you find your way, you have purpose and you have the drive to be your best each and every day.