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08/16/2024

Column: How to Be Well: A Gold Medal Mental Routine

Is anyone else feeling a post-Olympics slump? I asked my husband, “What are we going to do now that the Olympics are over?” He shrugged and suggested, “Actually talk to each other?”

This doesn’t sound nearly as fun as watching Simone Biles launch herself 12-plus feet into the air or Katie Ledecky pull so far ahead her competitors aren’t even in the frame.

It’s not just the extreme physical feats I’ve been missing, but also the prominence of mental health in the news. It certainly took center stage at the Games this year. So many athletes shared their mental health journeys, openly talked about going to therapy, and highlighted the importance of their support systems during this year’s Games. 

The therapist in me also couldn’t help but notice the mental skills they used as they warmed up and paced the sidelines. Here are a few I saw: 

Practicing mental rehearsal and visualization: At first glance, it might have looked like some athletes were nervously fidgeting or pacing. However, a closer look revealed that many were actually practicing the movements they’d need to perform when it was their turn on the starting line.

Others talked about using visualizations where they imagined themselves perfectly executing every move of their event.

Doing these things actually improves our chances of success, primes our body to take action, and enhances muscle memory.

Using positive self-talk and regulated breathing: One of my favorite things to do while watching the Games was trying to read the athletes’ lips just before they competed. Most of them would slow down, take a few deep breaths, and mumble to themselves. 

From phrases like, “This is it. Sprint,” to, “I’ve done everything I could to get here. Now it’s time to have fun,” every athlete seemed to have something positive to say to themselves.

This is because research shows that positive thinking can rewire your brain, changing the way you feel about things. Affirmations help us reduce stress, boost confidence, and focus on our strengths. 

Having strong support systems and objective third parties: After their events, most athletes rushed over to their teammates, coaches, and loved ones. They high-fived, hugged, and celebrated, or offered comfort and consolation. 

Many talked about the importance of their support system and communities for giving perspective and helping them see beyond their performance. 

We aren’t designed to do big, hard things alone. We all need support. And often when things are overwhelming, we need an outsider to remind us who we truly are and help us through our big feelings.  

These are skills we can all use when facing difficulties or new things. Hello, new school year. And since they are good enough for gold medal Olympians, they gotta be good enough for us, right? 

If you, or someone you know, needs help with their mental health, let us know. We provide free and confidential support, as well as six free counseling sessions to qualified individuals. Call or text 208-354-6198, email info@tetonvalleymentalhealth.com, or find out more on our website TetonValleyMentalHealth.com. Our offices are staffed Monday-Friday from 9 am-4 pm.

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