Many students take mental health days, yet student-athletes carry more stress and are not usually given mental health days. Student athletes also struggle with academic responsibilities and this can lead to burnout. If they have a game, they’re not allowed to miss classes or anything that day or else they won’t be able to play.
Mental health days are a necessary pause to reset and manage your stress. When you are an athlete and get hurt, you are given time off. So why is mental fatigue less serious than physical injury?
Playing while mentally unwell can result in poor performance and an increased risk of injury. Student-athletes are developing life-long habits, and with no mental health days being given, they are only being taught how to hide their emotions. Not only that, but they are also learning to not take care of themselves and ignore what their body needs and how their brain is functioning.
The Mindful Miles 5k gave athletes awareness of how important it is to take care of your mind and body by running a race.
“I think it is crucial for athletes to have time for themselves and get breaks. Athletes are pushed beyond their limits all the time for their sports, and it can make or break a lot of players,” said senior Olivia Coley. “Giving days off and time for yourself is important for both physical and mental health. Your body and mind needs to be able to take a rest.”
Mental health days may look different for each individual athlete. Depending on the person, their sport, and what relieves their stress, they will spend their day differently. Some may rest, spend time with their friends, exercise more, or other stress relievers.
“After being a member of the cross country team, I learned how uplifting running can be and how it brings everyone together. Running is something that connects people. Everyone that completed the 5k ran or walked for something bigger than themselves,” said Coley.
Hopefully soon there will come a change where mental health days will be given to student-athletes in every school.
