P.V. Sindhu: Focusing On Mental Strength On And Off The Court
P.V. Sindhu, a world-class Indian badminton player who won a gold medal at the BWF World Championships and the first Indian woman to win two Olympic medals (a silver and bronze medal) consecutively, is on top of the sports world. Like some other top athletes, she reports experiencing significant pressure around her physical performance and role as a paragon of the sport.
In a panel discussion for Mental Health Day, Sindhu shared the importance of understanding the role of mental health and spoke about her relationship with her parents as an essential emotional support. She also talked about the stigma around mental health that prevents individuals from seeking help, especially in the sports world, saying, “We often think that talking of mental health will be frowned upon or will slow us down. Therefore, talking about mental health is still taboo and pushes a lot of struggling people behind the curtains. It is very important for every individual to get the help they need without being shamed for it.”
Mental strength vs. physical strength
Not only has Sindhu been a strong voice for people seeking mental healthcare, but she also speaks frequently on the importance of addressing mental resilience alongside physical form.
Besides having an Olympic silver medal and a bronze medal, Sindhu won three consecutive medals at the Commonwealth Games, a silver medal at the Badminton Asian Championships, strong showings from age 14 at the India Ranking Championship, Badminton World Federation Championships, the Maldives International Challenge, the Indian Women’s Team, and mixed team events have made her one of the highest paid female athletes, according to Forbes.
In advance of the 2020 Olympics, Sindhu told reporters that she works on building mental strength both on and off the court. She said, “It is very important to stay calm and keep yourself busy. There will be a lot of pressure and responsibility. There comes a time when you just have to let go of everything and just be focused on yourself. And that is why I meditate at times, and that really helps me to keep calm and going.”
Self-care for building resilience against stress
Facing pressure in some form can be normal, even for people who are not world-class athletes. Life stress is a significant cause of mental and physical issues. Common effects of stress can include:
- Headaches
- Muscle tension or pain
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Restlessness
- Anxiety
- Gastrointestinal issues like nausea, heartburn, or diarrhea
- Memory problems
- Anger issues
- Depressive symptoms
- Trouble sleeping
- A weakened immune system
- Substance misuse
The benefit of reaching out for help
Some people may be tempted to “work through” stress or become overwhelmed and uncomfortable asking for help. However, for Sindhu and other major athletes like Simone Biles and Naomi Osaka, asking for help has made a positive difference in their mental health and athletic performance.
When Sindhu suffered a stress fracture during her final gold medal bout during the Commonwealth Games, when Biles walked away from Team USA events after experiencing the “twisties,” and when Osaka withdrew from the French Open to protect her mental health, there was some public outcry. However, the public tone has started to shift, with some people vocally supporting the bravery of their self-advocacy. These athletes shone a bright light on the agencies and media outlets that expect perfection from athletes at the expense of their mental health. By doing so, they’ve also normalized seeking therapy for thousands of others.
Support options
If you believe stress is negatively impacting your life or that self-care is difficult to prioritize on your own, cognitive-behavioral therapy is an evidence-based therapeutic approach that can be effective at shifting negative patterns of thought and behavior into more positive directions and offering healthy coping skills for managing stress.
If your life is busy and you struggle to access in-person appointments, or if you live in an area with poor access to mental health care, online therapy through platforms like BetterHelp can be a convenient and effective solution. Studies have shown that online therapy can be as effective as in-person therapy. These platforms can offer phone, video, and live chat sessions, allowing you to meet with your therapist from the comfort of your home or office. In addition, online therapy may be more cost-effective.
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