Stress/Anxiety, the Olympics, Social Media

Mrs. SI Head posted this on Facebook. Worth reading and thinking about.

"Todd Herman

July 27 at 10:24 AM  ·

Over the last 24 hours, I've had 56 messages from athletes/coaches seeking help at the #Olympics.

These 2021 Games are a mental health nightmare.

In the 21 years working with athletes at Olympic games, I've never seen more stress/anxiety. (The individual sport athletes are having the hardest time behind the scenes.)

I feel very bad for Simone Biles, she's such a phenomenal athlete. And an incredibly kind human despite the vitriol she can be on the receiving end of.

The source of her issues and many other athletes right now, is the toxic nature of social media.

I was just texting with ABC News and I said, "It feels like we're holding athletes together with duct tape and gorilla glue right now."

The Olympic games are just a microcosm of society. If you're seeing some of the most mentally tough, focused, and disciplined people on the planet fall prey to 'pressure.'

What about the regular Joe's and Jane's of society...that don't have the same level of skill at coping with the toxic levels of opinion, rhetoric, and hateful commentary online.

The antidote is always the same... be more kind.

If you do watch the Olympic games, tweet or comment to the 8th place person that they're inspiring, not just the gold medalist.

Send a message to the person that didn't even make it to the final heat, that you appreciate all the effort they put in to getting to the Olympics, and thanks for making our country or your country proud.

These athletes are getting bombarded with some pretty mean stuff because they 'let an entire nation down.'

Or,

"Thanks for making me stay up late just to watch you lose."

Something's gotta give when it comes to people's behaviors online, and maybe this post can be a little reminder to encourage everyone, not just the winners.

Because they sure need it right now. The conditions inside the Olympic village isn't fun or healthy for most.

(Btw - I chose this photo of Simone to celebrate her brilliance and not the photos being shared in media & news stories of her looking stressed.

I choose to see her this way. Free, strong, and graceful. Because that's what she is.)"