Introduction
It’s tough to be an athlete. You have to work harder than most people and you give up a lot of your time and freedom in the process. It takes a toll on both body and mind, but it can also lead to something called “athlete burnout.”
Athlete burnout is when the stress of training and competing becomes so intense that athletes start feeling like they’re not enjoying their sport anymore or that they don’t even want to get out of bed some days. Fortunately, there are many ways to reduce this kind of stress before it starts taking its toll on your physical health, mental well-being, relationships with family members–and the list goes on. This article will talk about 9 signs you may be struggling
What athlete burnout is
First off, it’s important to know what athlete burnout is. Many athletes go through some kind of stress from time to time due to the physical and mental demands of playing their sport at a more intense level than the average person. However, when athlete burnout sets in, the stress becomes so overwhelming that it begins to have a negative impact on your daily life.
Some symptoms of athlete burnout can include feeling constantly tired or you’re struggling to concentrate.
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to take a step back and figure out what’s causing them. From there, you can start making changes to your routine in order to reduce the amount of stress you’re feeling.
Even the best can burnout
The example that springs to mind from recent times is Naomi Osaka. Since turning pro in 2016, Naomi Osaka has had a meteoric rise. She won her first title in 2018 at the Indian Wells Masters and followed that up by winning the US Open later that year. However, 2019 has not been as kind to her. Osaka has been dealing with burnout and it’s been showing in her results.
Osaka admitted to feeling burnt out after her first-round loss at the Australian Open in January. “I just didn’t have the energy”, she said. “I feel like I’ve been playing for the last four years straight.”
This isn’t the first time Osaka has dealt with burnout; she also experienced it in 2018. After winning the US Open, she took some time off and didn’t compete for a couple of months. Her results suffered, but she was able to recharge her batteries and come back stronger than ever in 2019.
The 9 signs you may be struggling with athlete burnout
Now that you know what athlete burnout is, it’s important to be aware of the 9 signs that you may be struggling with it.
1) You’re feeling constantly tired.
2) You’re struggling to concentrate.
3) You’re withdrawing from friends and family members.
4) You’re having mood swings.
5) You’re experiencing a lack of motivation.
6) You’re experiencing loss of interest in playing your sport.
7) Your physical health has taken a toll-you’re struggling with headaches and muscle soreness.
8) You’ve stopped feeling like you can meet the demands that are being made on your body.
9) You feel like you’re always behind-in terms of how much work you have to do, how much sleep you need, etc.
How to avoid and prevent experiencing these symptoms of athlete burnout
Now that you know the 9 signs that you may be struggling with athlete burnout, it’s important to take steps in order to prevent yourself from experiencing these symptoms.
1) Reduce your workout load. It can be helpful to cut back on the number of workouts you’re doing each week in order to reduce the amount of stress you’re putting on your body.
2) Take some time off. Even if it’s just for a day or two, taking a break from your sport can help to refresh your mind and body.
3) Mentally focus on the process, not the outcome. When you start to feel overwhelmed, focusing on the process rather than the outcome can help to take some of the pressure off.
4) Stay connected with friends and family members outside of sports. Having a support system away from your sport is crucial in order to maintain a healthy balance.
5) Seek professional help if the stress becomes too much to handle on your own. There’s no shame in admitting that you need help and seeking out professional assistance can be an extremely helpful step.
A list of resources for those who are currently experiencing this problem or know someone who is
Having a support system in place can be extremely helpful if you’re struggling with athlete burnout. Here are some great resources to check out when it comes to seeking help from others:
1) A professional therapist-a trained counsellor who is able to help you figure out what’s triggering your feelings of stress and how to overcome them.
2) A mental performance coach.
2) A sports psychologist-someone who specializes in helping athletes deal with the mental stresses of playing their sport.
3) Your coach or team trainer-they may not be able to help you solve all your problems, but they can provide you with guidance and support.
4) Friends and family members-these are the people who will be there for you when you need them the most, so don’t be afraid to reach out to them.
5) Online support groups-there are many online communities available that are dedicated to helping athletes with burnout. This can be a great way to connect with others who are going through the same thing as you.
Conclusion
If you’re feeling exhausted and stressed out from your sport, it’s important to take a step back and evaluate what might be causing these feelings. Implementing a few simple changes to your routine can help you avoid athlete burnout. If you’re still struggling after making these changes, it might be time to seek professional help. Don’t let yourself get to the point where you’re burned out and unhappy with your sport-take control of your situation now!
Thank you for reading! We hope this article has helped you understand the signs and symptoms of athlete burnout, as well as how to avoid it. For more information and advice, please visit our website or contact us directly.
