Introduction
There is no more considerable high for a sportsperson than being at the pinnacle of world-class sports. Trophies, rewards, and adulation follow such a sportsperson wherever they might go. But even as they work on their physical fitness to remain agile on the court, is it possible that they are suffering deep inside? Does physical fitness guarantee mental and emotional wellness? No. There is a lot to learn about this from the story of Jelena Dokic.
Who is Jelena Dokic
A former professional tennis player and now coach and commentator, Jelena Dokic represented Australia. She worked hard and reached the world no. 4 ranking in 2000. Being a professional tennis player, she always remained physically fit. Jelena began playing tennis at the age of 10. By the time she was 19, she had achieved many highs in her tennis journey. She was strong and determined, had extraordinary skills, and had an exceptional ability to play on the ground.
What is the story of Jelena Dokic?
However, amidst the pressure of staying at the top, Jelena Dokic fell prey to depression and anxiety. She even attempted suicide by jumping off her balcony. Hence, she took professional help in the fight against depression and bounced back. Dokic even went on to write a book on her life in which she talks about her troubled childhood, being a refugee, facing racism, and physical and mental abuse at the hands of her father.
We know how physical fitness is not a guarantee for mental fitness from the story of Jelena Dokic.
She enjoyed peak physical fitness but suffered internally. Mental wellness doesn’t just mean being free from any mental disorder. It is an overall state of well-being in which one can cope with the everyday stressors of life, understand one’s potential, work fruitfully, and contribute to society and community.
Jelena’s 10-year-long fight with depression and anxiety reveals how mental fitness is something we can’t take for granted.
Physical fitness is not a guarantee for mental fitness. We know from the story of Jelena Dokic.
Importance of mental health and fitness
Mental health includes our emotional, psychological and social well-being, and affects how we think, feel and act. Mental fitness is all about having an environment conducive to mental health. It is about creating a space that encourages positive thoughts and creativity and improves communication and engagement. Mental fitness helps confront your fears, divert negative thoughts to an affirmative state of mind, and feel less pressured and isolated. Mental wellness helps develop neuroplasticity, an excellent feature of our brain that allows us to modify, adapt and respond to the changing environment. In simple terms, it means facing life’s challenges positively.
On the other hand, physical fitness is essential when participating in sports, etc. However, a sporting career’s physical, social, and psychological transitions can hurt your emotional well-being. Therefore, mental fitness is equally important in any sportsman’s career.
Emotional well-being guarantees mental strength, confidence, pressure-handling capabilities, etc. Hence, it is necessary to take professional help if you find yourself under the cloud, no matter how physically fit you are.
What should we learn from the story of Jelena Dokic about maintaining mental health?
We learn from the story of Jelena Dokic that maintaining mental fitness and well-being is very important to adapt to the changing circumstances around us. Here are a few tips for doing that:
- Practice mindfulness: Meditate, practice yoga, or get help from professionals. Create awareness of your thoughts and reduce anxiety.
- Refocus your attention: Shift from negative thoughts to an affirmative thinking pattern. Choose to develop a positive attitude. Choose your behaviour to realign your goals.
- Engage in your favourite activities: Indulge in some activities and go with the flow.
- Train your mind: Sharpen your memory, solve crosswords and puzzles, and read a book.
- Use reminders: Use post-it notes.
- Learn something new: Take up a challenge, take dance classes, or learn a sport. It will develop new neural paths to help you adapt to situations.
- Practice gratitude: Be optimistic and grateful for all that you have.
Conclusion
Mental fitness and physical fitness are two pillars of a healthy life. Jelena Dokic is on the path to recovery in her fight against depression. Her courage has helped many confront their fears. The biggest lesson we learn is never to neglect your emotional health, no matter how physically fit you are.
Remember, you are not alone in this. Get in touch with United We Care and seek help to achieve emotional wellness today!
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