When it comes to Olympians’ and Paralympians’ self-care routines, they’re not just about optimizing physical performance. It’s a mental game, too. Evidence suggests elite athletes are particularly prone to stressors that can increase their vulnerability to mental health battles, including injury, burnout, and public scrutiny, according to a systematic review published in February 2016 in the American Journal of Sports Medicine. Numerous top athletes have spoken out about the importance of prioritizing their mental health in order to perform, including Simone Biles, Naomi Osaka, and Michael Phelps.
So what can we learn from athletes? Here’s a roundup of top self-care practices from nine top athletes who are competing in this winter’s Olympic and Paralympic games.
How 9 Olympians and Paralympians Practice Self-Care
