Experiencing everything that college has in store for the first time can sometimes affect your mental health and well-being. As a college athlete, you are given multiple responsibilities right off the bat, and it is easy to get in your head. It is significant to have a couple of strategies to cope with being on your own for the first time while dealing with the stress that comes with playing at the collegiate level.
- Find your mantra
Words are powerful, and so is self-talk. When you feel overwhelmed by the world around you, thinking of a mantra or words can help calm your thinking. It can be something funny like a TikTok or a quote from your favorite singer. During my last preseason, my roommate and I hung up our mantra by the door. It stated, “remember, Pitbull has been there, done that” as our way of joking around before practice. It might seem silly, but it got our minds off the workouts that we weren't too excited about.
A mantra can even be something your parents would say growing up. My dad would always say “no pain, no gain,” and later in life, I found my spin on it. During freshman year, I would say, “this pain is only going to make you stronger,” borrowing a line from a Lecrae song. There's no special formula here–a helpful mantra can be as simple as telling yourself “I got this.” As long as those words mean something to you personally, they will help.
Related: Rate Your Coach
- Practice mindfulness
A great way to get your mind right is to practice being aware of your mental state and calming your breathing. As athletes, we go through bursts of energy where sometimes our breathing is heavy and causes more stress. In the moments when you feel like you are out of control, maybe after making a mistake or not being able to control the outcome of a game, working on your breathing can be helpful. You can find some fun techniques on Spotify. Getting a breathing exercise that works for you can get you in the right headspace. One exercise I do before conditioning to control my breathing is taking seven deep breaths while saying my mantra. It has helped the jitters and allowed me to stay calm during games. Like mantras, there are no set rules when it comes to which breathing exercises are the best–the key is finding what works for you.
- Music never hurt anybody
An anxiety helper that almost every athlete in the world uses, whether they know it or not, is listening to music before getting on the field, court, pool, or wherever you practice or compete. Music is the quickest way to get your mind off your worries. When you sing the lyrics to your favorite song, you can't multitask and worry about practice or upcoming games. It shifts your focus to be in the present. Personally, I like to throw it back and listen to some semi-oldies on Spotify's Guilty Pleasures playlists. It takes me back to some happy memories.
Related: Rate Your Facilities
- Find comfort in teammates
Remember, you are not alone. Your teammates either are currently going through similar struggles or have been in your place. Find a teammate that is older than you and one your age. The younger one will be going through similar struggles, while the one is a vet–together, they will have plenty of advice and experience to help you out. When looking for someone, make sure that you feel comfortable around them, and remember: you and your teammates are all in this together.
Being a freshman brings on new adventures, physically and mentally. You are more than capable of finding mental toughness within yourself. Use these tips to find what works best for you.
Have an idea for a story or a question you need answered? Want to set up an interview with us? Email us at [email protected]
* Originally published on April 13, 2022, by Daesha Harper
