Can you recollect your earliest memory of watching any sport? If you grew up in India, it was probably cricket and legendary cricketers like Sachin Tendulkar and Kapil Dev. If cricket was not your preferred sport of choice, then you must be familiar with the tennis star Roger Federer or football champion Lionel Messi. But what is one thing that binds them all? Admiration for them.
We appreciate the dedication and hard work required to reach such high levels of achievement. Their journeys highlight the immense dedication, resilience and sacrifices necessary to be one of the greatest in competitive sports. We also look up to them as role models, but do we truly know what it takes to be a world class sportsperson?
However, the reality of being a successful athlete involves more than just talent and determination. It requires relentless training hours, rigorous physical conditioning, and a lifestyle that revolves around optimizing performance. Athletes often push themselves to the limit, striving for continuous improvement and competitive success.
Yet, this intense pursuit can also be a slippery slope. The pressure to maintain peak performance and meet expectations can lead to physical and mental exhaustion. Athletes may experience burnout—a state of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion caused by prolonged stress and overtraining.
But first let’s understand burnout.
When a person is exposed to prolonged stress or pressure of performance or doing an activity continuously, it can lead to burnout. It is a state of complete exhaustion – which can be physical. motional or mental, or a combination of all three. It typically occurs when someone feels overwhelmed, emotionally drained, and unable to meet constant demands. Burnout is more common than we expect and can happen to anyone and everyone, especially in these times where our professional lives take up most of our days without leaving too little time for anything else.
In athletes, burnout can happen when they push themselves too hard for too long without enough rest or recovery time. It can affect their performance, motivation, and overall well-being which can really affect their mental health adversely.
Research supporting Athlete Burnout
A recent study by Olsson et al. (2021) looked into why athletes sometimes stop enjoying their sport. They found that athletes who were really hard on themselves and got upset easily over small mistakes were more likely to feel burnt out.
The study humanizes this issue by showing that athletes, like anyone else, can struggle with self-doubt and harsh self-criticism. When athletes constantly focus on their mistakes and shortcomings, it can erode their enjoyment and sense of fulfillment in their sport. This need to achieve perfectionism can lead to increased stress, decreased motivation, and ultimately, burnout.
These findings underline the emotional challenges athletes face and stress how important it is for them to be kinder to themselves.
What causes athlete burnout?
Imagine feeling like you always have to be perfect and never make mistakes. It’s like running on empty gas, with no energy left to enjoy what you love about your sport. And as the popular saying goes – ‘ You cannot pour from an empty cup’
Physical Exhaustion:Constant training without adequate rest or recovery can lead to physical fatigue, increased risk of injuries, and compromised immune function.
Mental Exhaustion:The relentless pursuit of success can take a toll on an athlete’s mental health. Constant pressure to perform at a high level, fear of failure, and lack of balance in life can lead to anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.
Emotional burnout:Athletes may experience emotional exhaustion from the demands of competitive sports. The highs of victory and the lows of defeat can be emotionally taxing, especially when coupled with external pressures and internal expectations.
Apart from the above mentioned reasons, external factors such as pressure from coaches, teammates, sponsors or viewers of sports can also be difficult to navigate. This constant stress can make them lose their passion for the sport they once loved. Athletes are human too—they have feelings, doubts, and moments when things just feel too tough, just like all of us.
How can burnout be managed?
To avoid burnout, athletes should prioritize their well-being both on and off the field.
- Rest and Recovery: Athletes need to think of their bodies as batteries that need recharging. Taking breaks between practices and ensuring they get enough sleep helps them stay strong and ready to perform at their best.
- Honest Communication: Athletes should feel comfortable talking about their feelings with coaches, teammates, or trusted individuals. Sharing concerns or stressors can lead to solutions and support. Opting for counseling where the therapist and the athlete can work together on priorities and goals can also be really beneficial.
- Realistic Goal Setting: Instead of aiming for perfection, athletes should set achievable goals. Celebrating small successes along the way helps build confidence and motivation.
- Focusing on the journey, not the destination: Remembering why they started playing sports in the first place can bring back the joy. Finding fulfillment in the game itself, the friendships made, and personal growth is just as important as winning.
Ultimately, while we admire athletes for their achievements and perseverance, it’s important to recognize the challenges they face behind the scenes. Their stories of dedication and resilience inspire us, but understanding the realities of their journey helps us appreciate the full extent of what it takes to be a world-class sportsperson.
If you are someone who loves to watch sports or even better – loves to play football, check out the Crenovators Football Championship by Lets Get Happi. It is happening in the month of August, 2024 at Tilak Education Society Football Ground in Nerul. It promises to be an exciting event where teams can showcase their skills and passion for the game. That’s not all! What adds to the excitement is the prize of Rs. 20,000, which adds a competitive edge and motivates teams to give their best on the field. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just love kicking a ball around, this event is designed to celebrate the sport and bring people together.