Let Me Love You –

Cultivating the Best Relationship with Yourself Through Mental Behavioral and Spiritual Health Practices

As athletes you strive for greatness and excellence in pursuit of success in your athletic careers. Often there is an aspect in this pursuit that includes a level of confidence which also helps in reaching peak performance. However, there is a component to your well-being that often gets overlooked. The genuine relationship you cultivate with yourself. In other words, the love you have for the person not the athlete. This most intricate relationship with self can be discovered and nurtured through mental behavioral and spiritual perspectives, each offering an insight into your personal growth. 

Mental Perspective

Self-Awareness

Self-Awareness is a term that is used a lot, especially now as people are on journeys of self-discovery. What does it mean to you?  Let’s just say it is an understanding of the culmination of your character, motives, feelings, wants and desires. How does that work? Self-Awareness is a key mental component in creating a healthy relationship with oneself.  Having this clarity can help in recognizing unhealthy patterns and cycles that are created through life experiences.

Positive Self-Talk

The use of positive self-talk can be transformative in the mental health space. You may be wondering what talking to myself does for me other than making people think I need help?  The fact that affirmations and encouraging words can boost confidence and be motivational must be considered.  The senses are powerful tools. When utilizing positive self-talk such as affirmations, it allows you to use your senses such as hearing and sight. Practicing positive self-talk better equips you to handle the day-to-day of sports like setbacks and the maintenance of a resilient mindset. This mindfulness practice can enhance performance by transforming self-doubt to self-belief. 

Metal resilience 

Oftentimes as athletes you are taught to be resilient physically. And oftentimes, the mental resilience that is practiced is not necessarily the most helpful. Hearing to be “mentally tough” or to “suck it up and keep going” are unhealthy coping strategies. What is healthy mental resilience you ask?  Mental resilience is the ability to bounce back when challenges arise and to maintain focus during pressure situations. I know you’re thinking that sounds a lot like those quotes. But the truth is the way you accomplish this is what makes the difference.  It is necessary for you as athletes to develop this through techniques such as visualization, goal setting, and managing stress. Successfully utilizing these techniques can build an athlete’s healthy mental framework which supports perseverance and adaptability. 

Behavioral Perspective

Consistent Routine

One of the benefits of playing sports at most levels is the discipline in routine which comes with it. You are often given a schedule of regular training sessions, balanced nutritional diet, adequate sleep and relaxation/self-care time in season.  But what do you do during the off season? Make sure you continue to find a routine albeit less rigorous.  This consistency helps you build a strong behavioral foundation that supports physical and mental well-being.  

Healthy Habits

When you hear “healthy habits” of an athlete oftentimes people associate things like nutrition and exercise, but this is not the extent of them. What other healthy habits should you have? The key is self-care. Self-care practices such as proper hydration and active recovery between activities can be the key to longevity of your career. Self-care also includes engagement in activities and hobbies outside of sport. This can lead to a healthy work-life balance which can reduce burnout and increase happiness. 

Behavioral Adaptability

In the world of sport, an inevitable fact is there will be change.  New teammates, new coaches, new places, etc.Let’s face it; these changes can have a huge impact on a person. What can you do to combat these sometimes-difficult circumstances?  These realities require adaptability. Having the ability to develop behavioral flexibility by adapting to the changes that occur is necessary.  Understanding the need for adaptability and preparing for it helps you mentally. Having a proactive approach will help tremendously. In other words, be prepared for this possibility. 

Spiritual Perspective

Purpose and Passion 

Sense of purpose and passion are a direct connection to spiritual health. It’s important to know the “why” behind your life. It is not just athletics. It also includes pursuits outside of sport. This can be in the form of personal fulfillment, community engagement, or other sense of purpose which fuels your drive and ignites your level of commitment.  Creating opportunities to engage with those interests outside of the sport can be helpful. 

Mind-Body-Spirit Connection 

The connection between the mind, body and spirit is a powerful one. The holistic nature that encompasses these three aspects of an athlete’s subsequent performance level is critical. Incorporating practices such as mindfulness, meditation, breathwork and even yoga can help cultivate this connection for you.  These activities foster harmony and reduce stress and anxiety and promote a sense of overall well-being for you. 

Gratitude 

One of the most powerful ways to truly connect to your spiritual self is through gratitude. The ability to recognize and acknowledge the aspects of your life that are worth being thankful for is key. Athletes who practice gratitude on a regular basis acknowledge their achievements, support systems, and opportunities. This practice takes you from external pressures to internal contentment, promoting a positive outlook.  Grab a journal and keep it with you so you can write what you are grateful for daily. It helps to remember. 

Conclusion

Building a great relationship with yourself is a complex journey of mental, behavioral and spiritual dimensions. It creates the opportunity for you as an athlete to achieve peak performance and maintain holistic well-being. The practical ways to foster that are through self-awareness, positive self-talk, mental resilience, consistent routines, healthy habits, adaptability, purpose, mind-body-spirit connection, inner peace, and gratitude. This can lead to thriving on and off the field; creating a life that is more fulfilled and balanced.