How Athletes Can Deal With Depression In Life After Sports.

Retiring from sports can be a challenging experience for athletes, as they may face depression or other mental health issues. Here are some ways athletes can deal with depression in life after sports:

Refind Your Purpose: When athletes retire, they often lose their sense of purpose as their entire lives have been centered around their sport. Refinding their purpose can help athletes find fulfillment and satisfaction in their lives beyond sports. This could involve exploring new interests or hobbies, volunteering or giving back to the community, or pursuing education or career opportunities.

Set Goals: Setting new goals can help athletes establish a sense of direction and focus in their post-sports lives. These goals can be small or large, short-term or long-term, and can be related to personal, professional, or academic pursuits. Setting goals can provide motivation, a sense of achievement, and a roadmap for success.

Seek Professional Help: Athletes may experience a range of mental health challenges when they retire, including depression, anxiety, or a loss of identity. Seeking professional help can provide athletes with the necessary support and guidance to manage these challenges effectively. Mental health professionals can offer therapy, counseling, or medication to help athletes cope with their emotions and develop effective coping mechanisms.

Be Patient: Transitioning from a life of competitive sports to a more mundane routine can be challenging for athletes. It's important to remember that the process of adjusting to a new lifestyle takes time, and athletes should be patient with themselves as they navigate this transition. It's normal to feel a range of emotions, including sadness, frustration, or a sense of loss, and it's important to allow oneself to experience these emotions without judgment.

Olympic gold medal-winning swimmer Amanda Beard opened up about her battles with depression in her 2012 memoir “In The Water They Can’t See You Cry,” revealing that she self-harmed as a way of coping, and also struggled with anorexia, bulimia, and drug abuse.