The Pressure of Perfection: Navigating Mental Health Amidst Olympic Standards
As the 2024 Olympic Games unfold, we're surrounded by a constant flow of commentary—sometimes critical, sometimes uplifting. But how does this affect our mental health?
Photo by Luca Dugaro on Unsplash.
The Olympics are a global celebration of athletic achievement, showcasing the incredible feats of athletes who often dedicate their lives to perfecting their sports. While these performances can inspire admiration and awe, they can also set unrealistic standards for viewers. Olympians are frequently celebrated for their abilities, discipline, and dedication, making them influential role models. However, the emphasis on athletes’ achievements and their often idealized portrayals can negatively affect their mental health and self-worth. Additionally, the emphasis on athletes' physical appearance can exacerbate body image issues and, in some cases, contribute to disordered eating behaviors.
The Pressure of Olympic Standards
Olympic athletes face immense pressure to perform at an elite level, which can take a significant toll on their mental health. The demands of competition can lead to anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges. High achievers, including athletes, often grapple with perfectionism and a fear of failure. Moreover, athletes in weight-class sports such as wrestling, rowing, and horse racing, as well as those in aesthetic sports like figure skating, dancing, bodybuilding, gymnastics, swimming, and diving, are at an increased risk of developing disordered eating behaviors. Recognizing these challenges is crucial, as it underscores the need for mental health support and helps reduce the stigma associated with seeking help. Fortunately, more Olympic athletes are speaking openly about their mental health, with gymnast Simone Biles being one of the most prominent voices in recent discussions.
The Dangers of Unrealistic Body Ideals
The intense focus on athletes’ performance often extends to their appearance, drawing both praise and criticism. With the 2024 Paris Olympics in full swing, you may have encountered headlines, articles, and social media posts that promote unrealistic standards of what a "fit" or "ideal" body should look like. For viewers, especially those prone to perfectionism, this can trigger a harmful cycle of comparison and self-criticism. Media glorification of specific body types can worsen existing body image issues and contribute to disordered eating behaviors. When viewers internalize the notion that only certain body types signify fitness or health, they may resort to unhealthy practices like extreme dieting or over-exercising. This is particularly risky for individuals with a history of eating disorders or those vulnerable to developing them.
Watching the Olympics with a Mindful Approach
While watching the Olympics can be an exciting and awe-inspiring experience, it is important that we remain mindful of it’s impact on our own mental health, especially if we tend to lean towards perfectionism or self-criticism.
7 Tips for Watching the Olympics with Mental Health in Mind
1. View with Non-judgmental Awareness: Stay present and appreciate the diversity of athletic performances without comparing yourself to the athletes. Bring awareness to how the Olympics are impacting you and, without judgment or self-criticism, recognize what triggers negative thoughts or feelings and take steps to manage these triggers (outlined below).
2. Set Boundaries: Limit exposure to articles and discussions that focus on athletes’ appearance. Unfollow triggering social media accounts and follow accounts that celebrate body diversity and promote positive, inclusive messages. Look for role models who exemplify qualities you admire, such as resilience, kindness, and authenticity. Rugby player Ilona Maher (IG: @ilonamaher) has gained a tremendous social media following and is celebrated for her body-positive messages and an epic clap back, dropping facts about BMI.
3. Critical Media Consumption: Along with setting boundaries, it’s important to critically evaluate the content you consume and question the messages being conveyed. Be skeptical of media or people that overly criticize the athletes or that promote a narrow definition of beauty, fitness, or health.
4. Break Free from the Comparison Cycle: Comparing oneself to Olympic athletes can lead to feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt. It's essential to remember that these athletes have dedicated their lives to training, often with resources and support systems that are not available to the average person. Celebrate your unique qualities and achievements or practice gratitude.
5. Focus on Meaningful Change: If feeling inspired by the Olympics, set personal goals that are realistic and meaningful to you, unrelated to appearance. Focus on skills, hobbies, or self-care practices that bring joy and fulfillment.
6. Practice Self-Compassion: Be kind to yourself. Understand that it's okay not to be perfect and that self-worth is not determined by achievements or physical appearance. Recognize that Olympians are humans, too - they have complicated stories and challenges like the rest of us, although these are not always acknowledged or discussed.
7. Seek Support When Needed: If you're finding it difficult to manage perfectionism, comparisons, self-criticism, or poor body image, know that support is available. A licensed therapist or counselor can provide valuable guidance and help you develop healthier thought patterns and self-compassion. At Healgood, our licensed clinicians specialize in supporting individuals facing these challenges, offering personalized and holistic strategies to foster a more positive and balanced mindset.
The Light Side of the Olympics
If you've been following the 2024 Paris Olympics, you've likely encountered the "breakout stars" or, as the internet has dubbed, the "main characters” of the games. Athletes like "Pommel Horse Guy" Stephen Nedoroscik, rugby player Ilona Maher, and sharpshooter Kim Yeji have captured attention, sparking uplifting, light-hearted, and positive conversations. Their stories have brought humorous online banter, highlighting the lighter side of the Olympics. Engaging in these positive discussions can foster connection and joy and help counterbalance the more critical commentary that can surface during the games.
The Bottom Line
The Olympics can be a time to celebrate human potential and athletic excellence, but they also present an opportunity to reflect on the impact of societal standards on mental health. With mindfulness, we can enjoy the spectacle of the Olympics without falling into the trap of unrealistic comparisons, negativity, and self-criticism. Let's appreciate the athletes for their dedication and skill while recognizing and honoring our unique journeys toward well-being and self-acceptance.
Chelsea Fielder-Jenks, LPC-S, CEDS-C, PMH-C
Healgood Founder
References
“Mental Health in Athletes: Breaking the Stigma.” Cleveland Clinic, https://health.clevelandclinic.org/mental-health-in-athletes. Accessed 31 July 2024.
Fielder-Jenks, Chelsea. History of Olympic Athletes & Eating Disorders, 26 June 2018, https://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/blog/olympic-athletes-eating-disorders.
Sherrington, Kevin. “Sparked by Simone Biles, Athletes at Paris Olympics to Have Vast Mental Health Resources.” Medical Xpress, 2 Aug. 2024, https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-07-simone-biles-athletes-paris-olympics.html.
Holmes, Linda. “Simone Biles Reminds Us: You Never Know What Olympic Athletes Are Going Through.” NPR, 27 July 2024, https://www.npr.org/2024/07/26/nx-s1-5051934/simone-biles-olympics-mental-health.
Zitz, Shannen. “Olympic Rugby Player Ilona Maher Has the Best Response to Body Shamer.” Prevention, 31 July 2024, https://www.prevention.com/health/a61751340/olympics-womens-rugby-ilona-maher-response-body-shamer-tik-tok-video/.
Jones, CT. “Meet The Main Characters of the Paris Olympics.” Rolling Stone, 1 Aug. 2024, https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/olympians-main-character-1235071606/.