There's no question that a college coach's training plan can be really intense– but there comes the point when training plans from your coach can be so tough that they negatively affect your mental health. When training gets to that point, how do you stay mentally fit? Here are a few tips:

Embrace More Areas of Your Life

Being a college athlete, it is very easy to get swallowed into the idea that you are just an athlete…but the truth is that having other parts of your life is a great way to keep your mental health up. So when training gets to be too much, don't forget to make time to hang out with friends (in your sport and out), be involved with your school–whether that be clubs or Greek life, or something else–and go to school events. These all serve as mental health breaks where you can take your mind off that day's training session or the game the day before. 

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Don't Let Training Get You Down

Remember: one bad training session is not going to determine your season so there is no reason to obsess over it or let it affect your life. Have fun when you're hanging out with friends or going to school events, show up to the club you are a part of and be involved, and enjoy the function at Greek life that night. The worst thing to do is let the training session affect those parts of life and your mental health will go down quickly.

Remember Why You are Playing College Sports 

For most, if not all, you are playing your sport in college because you love the sport. Remember that idea, and play for that reason alone. Doing so will ensure that even if you have a bad training session or if you feel like training is becoming overwhelming, you can think back to why you are playing or even times when you were having the most fun playing and really enjoy the time you are spending on the sport.

Related: Athletes: 6 Tips to Get Out of Your Head

Have Fun!

Similar to the idea above, if you are spending more time than you planned on your sport because of the training plan, make sure you are having fun as you play. Take the training seriously, but enjoy them. If you're a soccer player, pull out a new skill move to try. Basketball: crossover your friend and laugh as you're doing it. Baseball: have a hitting contest after practice. Simply add some fun to mix in with the serious work you are putting in.

Take a Day Off

Lastly but maybe most importantly, give yourself a break. Most coaches will understand if you need a day off to collect yourself especially if you feel overwhelmed. Take the day to relax a little, and get the needed break after spending so much time on your sport. In addition, talk to a friend/teammate, professor, family, or even your coach about feeling overwhelmed and you will get some good advice.

Training can be a lot. It's constant, it's multiple hours, and they are important. If your coach's training plan is intense and more than you expected, make sure you are following these tips to keep your mental health up and improve your mental health if it's down.

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* Originally published on October 4, 2022, by Scott Abramson