Thrive into the Weekend (1.31.14)

By Kate Bennett, PsyD

[Thrive into the Weekend: A blog series designed to empower athletes to thrive in life and sport by facilitating intentional and mindful actions]

While I am not a Seahawks fan, I am a firm believer in the integration of mindfulness into their program. Despite the anticipation and excitement of the Super Bowl, the Seahawks focus on quieting their minds in preparation of the big day. Have no doubt, I will certainly be wearing orange on Sunday; however, I do believe that everybody can benefit from taking note of the Seahawks' mindfulness practice.

With Super Bowl Sunday just days away, people are planning for parties, picking up last minute food items, scouring the internet for sneak-peaks of commercials, and reading articles that match the Broncos’ high-scoring offense against the Seahawks’ #1 defense. Thrive into the Weekend by practicing mindfulness throughout the day rather than being caught in the Super Bowl frenzy. Ground yourself in the moment with whatever activity you are participating in to increase satisfaction and manage stress levels. As a result, you will be more likely to enjoy the Super Bowl by showing up present and eager to cheer for your favorite team (versus feeling distracted by what has or has not happened or worrying about what needs to happen after the game).

Omaha!

Image courtesy of elephantjournal.com

Step Out of the Shame Game

By Kate Bennett, PsyD

Earlier today, I came across the article “Taking Notice of the Hidden Injury.” It speaks to the stigma of mental health in athletics as well as the shortage of mental health professionals who understand sport culture. Essentially, the article speaks directly to the mission and vision of Athlete Insight: Supporting the clinical and performance needs of athletes.

When people think of the term “athlete,” their minds quickly identify adjectives like strong, healthy, fit, determined, successful, etc. Mental health concerns do not fit the stereotypical images of athletes. Over time, seeking support for performance-related issues has become accepted and even sought after. However, clinical illnesses such as mood, anxiety, and eating disorders are stigmatized and often lead to shame. After all, athletes are strong and healthy which means they should have absolute control of their minds, right?

Wrong. Let’s de-stigmatize mental illness by focusing one important fact:

Mental illness is not a choice but rather the result of hereditary, personality, relational, and environmental factors coming together as a perfect storm. Nobody chooses to feel depressed or to develop an eating disorder. Just like you do not have a choice in catching a cold, athletes cannot choose whether or not they have mental illness. If it was as simple as choosing to not struggle with mental illness, I guarantee that I would be out of a job (and gladly so for the benefit of my past, current, and future clients).

The good news is, that just like physical illnesses, mental illnesses are manageable and treatable. Some mental illnesses will go into full remission (where symptoms are no longer present) while others may need continuous attention to manage symptoms but are tolerable when consciously attended to. The important ingredient is that athletes feel safe enough to confide in others about their struggles without worrying about judgment.

Ultimately, it is important to accept mental illness for what it is-a psychological condition that negatively impacts functioning and quality of life. It is not good or bad, right or wrong. Nor is it a choice. If it is no longer viewed as a choice and, instead, accepted as a part of the human condition just like physical illness, athletes experiencing mental illness will be able to let go of shame (“I, as a person, am bad”) and reach out for support rather than suffer in secrecy.

Thrive into the Weekend (1.24.14)

By Kate Bennett, PsyD

[Thrive into the Weekend: A blog series designed to empower athletes to thrive in life and sport by facilitating intentional and mindful actions]

Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and slowly exhale. As you exhale, take a moment to connect with your needs and desires for the weekend. What do you feel intrinsically motivated to do? Maybe it was a long week and you need time to rest. Perhaps the weather forecast has you excited for an outdoor workout. It may be that you desire connection with friends or family. Identify what you need this weekend to experience fulfillment and how you intend to accomplish the activity.

Close your eyes again, take another deep breath, and slowly exhale. This time, as you exhale, think about activities you feel extrinsically motivated towards. Do they support your values, needs, and desires? Do you feel overwhelmed by the number of activities you identified? If your answers are no and yes respectively, take a moment to re-evaluate and prioritize. Thrive into the weekend by engaging in your internal drive while balancing it with external demand.