The Problem Of Loneliness In Professional Athletes
Although the topic is not talked about very frequently, this problem has a significant impact on the emotional well-being and performance of athletes, which is why we think it is so relevant to talk about how those who dedicate their lives to sport require psychological attention to improve their quality. life.
If you are an athlete, you are interested in continuing reading, because in the next few lines we will talk about the problem of loneliness in professional athleteshow this can affect your mental health and what to do about it.
This story may sound familiar to you: Antonia has been training to be an athlete all her life. From a very young age she has taken her task of standing out in rhythmic gymnastics very seriously. Her talent and perseverance have taken her far, so much so that she has won dozens of championships, travels frequently, trains hard day and night, and people recognize her on the street. On the outside, everything is happiness; Inside, she feels very alone.
It is impossible to deny that much of the dynamics in high-performance sports, such as intensive training, demands, travel and the large number of hours dedicated, limit the time and space to find or grow personal relationships outside the field. professional, which facilitates the appearance of feelings of loneliness.
Just like Antonia’s story that you just read, for many athletes this reality becomes a kind of emotional barrier that is not easy to cross. In addition to the lack of meaningful ties we talked about, The pressure to maintain an impeccable public image and the demand for excellent results contribute to increasing that feeling of loneliness.
Furthermore, we cannot ignore that, in the case of athletes who are constantly traveling (or who must move countries), these feelings are intensified when they are far from their families and support networks.
The emotional challenges of professional athletes
There are situations that only those who live them know, right? Imagine, for example, how many times you have admired and even wanted to change your life for that of a movie star, singer or athlete. Although their lives may seem perfect, they can go through difficult times full of loneliness.
And, no, it’s not about saying that everything in your life is going wrong. In fact, the life of a professional athlete is full of very exciting moments, but it also involves facing emotional challenges, including: self-demand, pressure to stay in shape, avoid injuries (or recovering from them), constant travel, being under the gaze of the media or the lack of time to connect with loved people.
These and other challenges affect both those who compete in their home country and those who must move to another country to continue their career.
Likewise, it is important to keep in mind that athletes can face a great feeling of loneliness once their professional career comes to an end. Some of them may feel directionless outside of the sports scene.
What does science say?
We found a very interesting study conducted in 2023 that focused on migrant footballers, and highlighted that these athletes generally experience high levels of loneliness and a strong lack of belonging when moving to another country to play.
What is this due to? Well, we can mention several reasons, but mainly it is due to the distance from their loved ones and the difficulty in integrating into a new culture.
Cultural and linguistic barriers mean that many athletes are unable to express their emotions and needs. This, unintentionally, generates a feeling of vulnerability and disconnection, feeling that they have very few people to count on.
Clearly, in this scenario, there is no unanimous decision on what should be done. However, this study also proposes measures that can improve the situation.
One of these proposals is for football clubs to implement cultural training programs to help players better understand local customs and, in this way, facilitate their integration.
The same study also highlights the importance of providing accommodation that promotes social interaction and creating support networks inside and outside the club. These networks can connect migrant athletes with other players or with the local communitywhich could offer them an environment where they can feel accompanied and listened to.
Although this study focuses on athletes who have left their country, it is clear that the phenomenon of loneliness does not only affect migrants. The reality is that many high-level athletes, even those who remain in their country, are prone to feeling isolated. This is due, among other reasons, to the fact that the nature of the sport requires time and complete dedication, which is why their social life is limited.
Why do athletes also need psychological support?
Psychological support helps athletes develop tools to face difficult moments, such as loneliness, isolation, anxiety and pressure to maintain high performance.
However, access to this type of support is still limited in many sports clubs and organizations, leaving many athletes without resources to manage their emotions and cope with stress.
How does a sports psychologist help manage loneliness?
Although less is said than necessary about their profession, the sports psychologist has a super important mission with athletes. Its main goal is to provide the athlete with tools to understand and manage their emotions, thoughts and behaviors, which, obviously, will be reflected in their performance and general well-being.
In the case of loneliness, the sports psychologist can help the athlete to:
At this point, it is clear that loneliness in high-performance sports is a reality that deserves attention. It is necessary that clubs, coaches and sports organizations work to create environments where athletes feel supported and understood.
In addition, establishing support networks, implementing cultural training programs and facilitating access to mental health services can be essential for athletes to overcome these challenges and increase their potential, both in the sporting field and in their personal lives.
