P.V. Sindhu: Mental Strength And Resilience 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.
Importance of building mental strength and resilience
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 mental toughness and 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, which is why it’s important to build mental toughness and resilience to combat stress due to life challenges. Some 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 regarding mental strength
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 for your mental health
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.
Efficacy of online therapy to be mentally healthy
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.
Takeaway
How to build mental strength?
There could be many different strategies you can use to develop mental toughness. Here are some examples:
Adopt healthy coping strategies.
Work on your self-esteem.
Develop a growth mindset.
Practice self-compassion.
Work on reducing negative self-talk.
Practice mindfulness to deal with uncomfortable emotions.
Use positive affirmations.
Practice gratitude.
Build a support system you can lean on during challenging times.
Why am I mentally weak?
Mental weakness is not a clinical diagnosis. Still, if you feel like your mental muscle isn’t as strong as it could be, there could be a variety of different reasons for this. Examples include a strong inner critic, procrastination, chronic stress, or past trauma. If you feel like minor setbacks send you into a downward spiral, you may need to reflect on your mental resilience. You can learn stress management and problem solving skills to consistently achieve your goals, even when things aren’t going your way.
How do I train myself to be mentally strong?
Developing mental strength can take time, so be patient with yourself. Try making some changes to your daily routine to incorporate healthier meals and regular exercise. Daily habits like these can support your physical health, which in turn, supports mental health and resilience.
You might also consider adopting targeted strategies to improve your mental fitness. This could include increasing self-awareness, reframing negative thoughts, adopting a more positive mindset, and building self-confidence. A life coach, therapist, and/or support network of like minded people can help create a positive environment for your personal growth.
How do you fix mental weakness?
If you want to build mental muscle, try starting small and setting achievable goals. This could include identifying bad habits in your everyday life that affect your overall wellbeing and replacing them with positive ones that support a healthy life. For example, you can replace junk food with fresh fruits and vegetables. Instead of entertaining negative thoughts, you can practice affirmations for a more positive mindset. Over time, you can build the confidence needed to achieve bigger goals.
What are the signs of bad mental health?
Some signs of poor mental health include:
Low mood or persistent sadness
Social withdrawal
Changes in sleeping or eating patterns
Mood swings
Feeling anxious frequently
Substance misuse
If you recognize any of the signs above, you could be showing signs of mental illness. Consider reaching out for mental health support.
Am I weak if I cry easily?
No. There may be a social stigma attached to crying, especially for people who identify as male, but crying is not a sign of emotional or mental weakness. In fact, it can mean the opposite. Mentally tough people accept and express their emotions freely. Crying is a normal reaction to adverse circumstances and negative emotions, and it can help relieve stress.
What is mental toughness?
In social psychology, mental toughness may refer to a cognitive and emotional skill set that enables a person to remain calm and determined, no matter what life throws their way. Mental toughness helps people continue to take positive action despite difficult challenges.
What are the 4 types of resilience?
The four types of resilience include:
Mental resilience
Physical resilience
Emotional resilience
Social resilience
Who is a mentally strong person?
There may be many mentally strong people in your life. Here are some of the characteristics to look for:
Good mental health
Flexible mindset
Self-control and self-discipline
The ability to handle stress
Good interpersonal skills
A strong self-belief
Takes personal responsibility when things go wrong
How do I check my mental strength?
Mental strength affects how you deal with inevitable problems and stress in life. There are some questions you can ask yourself to check your mental strength, including:
What is my mental state at the present moment?
Have I learned any new skills lately?
When was the last time I left my comfort zone?
What steps am I taking to build resilience?
Thanks for the feedback!
- Previous Article
- Next Article