Athletes are strong-willed and dedicated; they know just the right thing to do when they’re under pressure. But most of us don’t think about the psychological process their minds go through.

It’s all about their mindset and mental well-being that can make or break their performance in sports. For example, setting goals can take a toll on the mind, especially for younger athletes. When they don’t reach their goals, it can worsen their performance, make them try less and bring their mental state down.

This is why it’s important to know how the brain works when it processes these thoughts and how athletes can work through them. Even the most talented athletes have struggles being successful, but it’s important for them to keep up their own mental training.

A significant part of helping the mind can occur after getting an injury. Some athletes believe they lost a huge part of themselves, filling their minds with negative thoughts. It can lead to anger, depression and sadness, causing their mental health to deteriorate.

For athletes, their sport is often deeply intertwined with their identity, purpose and social structure, making a significant issue feel like a personal loss.

The first and most important step is to seek professional help. Looking for a counselor or sports psychologist is crucial, especially because they are trained for athletes going through a crisis, big or small.

The next step is to ensure there’s no isolation, such as feeling alone in your mind. Emotional support is vital when the mind has these thoughts. Friends, family and teammates can offer emotional support, validating how these feelings are common and normal to have.

The last step is to rebuild identity and purpose, finding a new sense of self-worth. It’s essential to have hobbies and interests outside of sports, just in case the mental toll it brings is too much.

Of course these feelings don’t last forever, but when it gets heavy, it’s important to know what to do and how to build yourself back up again.