Last week, U.S. gymnastics star Simone Biles proved that even Olympic champions need a break from perfection. While the world looked to her for gold medal entertainment, Biles made the decision to withdraw from the Olympic Games, stepping away from the Tokyo all-around final. Critics were swift to accuse her of letting down Team U.S.A. and lacking the mental strength to handle the pressure that comes with being an elite athlete. Biles quickly came forward to share with the world that she had concerns about her mental health and needed to withdraw from the Tokyo Games for her emotional and physical safety. The outpouring of support has far outweighed any initial criticism and has further opened the door for discussions on the importance of mental health. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mental health has long held a stigma of silence, especially for elite athletes. The expectation has been to power through and compete regardless of physical or emotional injury. However, if one of the greatest athletes in history can step away from the Olympics to prioritize her mental health, you can certainly step away from that project, class or job that\u2019s causing harm to your well-being. Biles\u2019 focus on her well-being during one of the most anticipated athletic events at the Olympics proves just how important mental health is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe live in a world that\u2019s constantly striving for ‘more,\u2019 even if it comes at a personal expense,\u201d says Dr. Randall Duthler. \u201cPeople are told that success comes to those who pour in extra hours on the field, the classroom, or at the office and that pushing through stress and exhaustion will bring great rewards. The reality is, when we push ourselves to that point, we\u2019re often too burnt out or overwhelmed to enjoy the achievement.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The physical effects of burnout and chronic stress can have lasting impacts. \u201cOur mental and physical health are fundamentally linked,\u201d says Dr. Duthler. \u201cThere are numerous studies showing that when we neglect our mental health it manifests in adverse physical ways such as insomnia, depression<\/a>, heart disease, musculoskeletal pain, severe injuries and a whole host of other consequences.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Biles\u2019 decision to put herself first is revolutionary because people don\u2019t prioritize their own well-being often enough. Her story is a wake-up call to tune into your emotions and make sure your needs are being met before you try to meet the needs of others. In a culture that\u2019s constantly demanding more, it can feel challenging to step away and allow yourself to recover from the stress and anxiety<\/a> that\u2019s preventing you from being your best self, but taking those breaks are necessary to perform well and feel good while you\u2019re doing it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n