Daisy Storey’s Story
And the Mental Health of Young Athletes
How is Mental Health Related to Sports?
For many people, sports are a way for students to express themselves and their passions, and allows them to have an outlet for stress. However, many studies have shown a correlation between mental health struggles and involvement in athletics, as young athletes reach higher levels of competition. As athletes reach these higher levels, they experience more pressure to perform on the court or field. They will often have good, steady mental health when they are performing well and have more feelings of anxiety and depression when they are performing poorly. This forces students to view their athletic performance and self-worth as intertwined entities.
The Science Behind Mental Health and Sports
This is not to say that sports induce poor mental health. In general, athletic activities are beneficial for people’s mental health because exercise allows the brain to release endorphins, which are chemicals that alleviate pain and stress. So why do so many athletes struggle with their mental health? These struggles typically come when athletes reach college or professional levels, and experience low self-esteem. Low self-esteem can cause a disruption in equilibrium of the brain’s neurotransmitters that release chemicals that make us happy. This in turn, leads to feelings of depression and anxiety.
When athletes experience these feelings of low self-esteem, depression, and anxiety it affects their performance in their sport. It often leads to more sluggish movements and increased anger levels on the court or field. It can also cause athletes to lose interest in their sport completely if they are not performing to a certain level. This results in lots of athletes quitting entirely either before or while they play at a college level.
Changing the Mindset
There are many steps athletes can take when they are struggling with their mental health. They can start by focusing on the small things and taking it play-by- play when getting back into the game. For instance, focusing on making one goal versus thinking about the game as a whole. Athletes can also set small, realistic goals to help raise their self-esteem when completed. If you are struggling with mental health and athletic performance, it’s also important to remember why you began playing the sport, and why you love it. Try to incorporate the fun aspects back into your athletic career to alliviete pressure and improve mental health.
“I grew up thinking lacrosse was my main identity. I can still have lacrosse as something I love, but I know it won’t be something that makes up who I am.”
Daisy Storey
“I put my mental health first because if you don’t, you’re going to not enjoy your sport and not succeed as much as you want to.”
Simone Biles, Team USA Gymnast
Daisy’s Experience
Daisy began her lacrosse career at age five and quickly fell in love with the support. She continued to grow into a skilled athlete and competed in tournaments across Virginia and the East Coast. In high school, she went on to become a captain of her school’s team and learned how to be a leader on and off the field. Before her senior year, Daisy began the college recruiting process with intent to continue her lacrosse career at a collegiate level. However, she noticed the toll it was taking on her mental health and instead decided to drop out of the recruiting process to prioritize her well-being. She is now able to continue her passion and play club lacrosse at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Daisy’s Approach on Mindfulness
In Daisy’s high school lacrosse career, she found herself struggling with tying her identity and self-worth to her athletic performance. She recalls that she would tally her mistakes in her head and was putting excessive pressure on herself to perform. This led to her seeking help and she started practicing mindfulness in order to improve her mental health. To practice mindfulness, Daisy learned to focus on her immediate surroundings and be present in every moment on and off the field, which allowed her to grow from her struggle.
The Importance of Mental Health
Mental health is a person’s social, emotional, psychological well being; it affects virtually every aspect of our lives. Thus, the importance of mental health goes far beyond the field and court. Poor mental health affects athletes’ everyday lives, not just their athletic performance. A common misconception is that mental health solely affects the way people feel, however, it also impacts how people think and act. Additionally, not taking care of your mental well-being can impact your physical health and can lead to conditions such diabetes, heart disease and stroke. To avoid this, it is important to make mental health a priority in our everyday lives to contribute to our overall well-being.
Resources for Athletes
Resources for athletes who are struggling finding a balance with their sport and mental health:
Click here for more resources to better your mental health.
Daisy Storey’s Story
Sources
https://www.athletesforhope.org/2019/05/mental-health-and-athletes
https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/benefits-of-sports-for-mental-health