Medically Reviewed by: Dr. Matthew Torrington, MD
Key Takeaways
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Mental toughness is trainable: It is a skill you build, not a trait you are born with.
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Stress regulation wins games: Learning to regulate your nervous system improves focus under pressure.
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Support systems matter: Therapy and connection are secret weapons for resilience.
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Small habits compound: Daily practices like breathwork and gratitude build long-term confidence.
“Same struggles, the same sufferings, the same day-to-day anxieties and insecurities that the rest of the world is going through” (Aaron Gordon).
Aaron Gordon of the Nuggets and other athletes share how this was the most challenging NBA season they have ever dealt with; enduring the COVID-19 pandemic, several protests, and a compressed, isolation-inducing schedule that kept them separated from their loved ones. These traumas have been layered on top of feelings of anxiety, uncertainty, and depression of losing their identity, fans, and sense of purpose.
The normal pressures that athletes have to contend with have been increasing in proportions as they are expected to train and perform at their highest level. Despite efforts such as
Cleveland Cavalier Kevin Love’s commitment to bringing mental health awareness to players since pre-pandemic, mental health symptoms of anxiety and depression have increased up from
11% of adults to over 30% today.
Why Mental Health Is a Performance Issue for Athletes
Allen Crabbe of the Minnesota Timberwolves shared with
Ektha Aggarwal, a conscious psychotherapist supporting NBA players in transforming their mindset, that many people ask him “How can somebody who makes millions of dollars and is financially stable going through depression or experiencing unhealthy mental thoughts?” Athletes have talents and special gifts that may cause the community to value them as more than human, however, they are struggling. Athletes are also humans with mental health challenges. Mental wellbeing evidence-based tools and therapy not only provide athletes a platform to release stressors that come with being a professional player, but also learn effective ways to rewire negative thoughts into positive outlooks.
Your mental wellbeing is a core element of your performance on the basketball courts and in your daily life. It can cost you and your team a chance to achieve personal and professional victory. The steps to success begin ongoing awareness of your feelings and emotions, day in and day out.
Ben Simmons of Philadelphia 76ers, who felt he didn’t do enough for his teammates,
shared:
“The first thing I’m going to do is clear my mind and get my mental [health] right. You got to be mentally tough.”
5 Ways to Build Mental Toughness
Here’s 5 ways you can develop mental toughness by transforming your struggles into strengths:
1. MANAGE STRESS EARLY
Smiling is something you can do immediately, and it naturally releases endorphins to improve mood. Even if you feel like you don’t have a reason to smile, as meditation teacher Thich Nhat Hanh said, “Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.”
Your breath has the power to shift your state. In our somatic therapy sessions in Los Angeles, we use breathwork and tapping to help athletes regulate their nervous system before big games. Taking deep breaths allows you to build the oxygen levels in your body, increase relaxation, and produce clarity—all strategies to show up and perform on the courts.
Visualization is a form of meditation that alleviates stress and anxiety, increasing control over your mind, which allows you to perform at your peak state.
Shakti Therapy & Healing uses holistic therapy for athletes in Los Angeles to train them to visualize success and calmness.
2. REACH OUT FOR SUPPORT
Asking for help is not a weakness!
Allen Crabbe of the Minnesota Timberwolves confides that having a strong mental health routine is important for perfecting careers and performing at a high level. He shares that “in the beginning I wasn’t a huge fan of taking up therapy and sharing my personal experiences, but
Ektha has been phenomenal in holding space so I am able to express the emotions and feelings that I’ve been holding inside for so long. It has really brought a lot of peace to my life.”
It is important to make use of the resources you have available to help you achieve your goals. Tap into your support systems of family, friends, and mentors. Connection lightens the mood and increases levels of happiness.
Is performance anxiety affecting your game?
You don’t have to play through the pain.
[Book a complimentary consultation] (https://www.google.com/search?q=LINK TO BOOKING) with Shakti Therapy today and start building your mental resilience.
3. COMMIT TO A HEALTH IN A HOLISTIC WAY
A healthy mind and body lifestyle improves emotional health, mood, and well-being. Making one small change can cause a health rippling effect. Try any of these supportive commitments to improve the state of your mind:
Healthy Sleep Routine—Sleep is the third pillar of wellness, in addition to diet and exercise according to Tuck co-founder and sleep coach, Bill Fish. Sleep hygiene is about being aware about what you do before going to bed in order to invite quality sleep. It can range from sleeping on time, not snoozing, to dimming the lights and turning off all your devices – smartphones, laptops, TVs an hour before bedtime.
Posture – A straight posture when standing or sitting promotes circulation and increases oxygen levels in your blood. Elevated oxygen levels reduce stress and increase clarity for performance. Social Psychologist Amy Cuddy’s research aligns with somatic therapy principles, finding that changing your
body position can positively influence your mindset.
Digital Detox – A digital detox or reducing the consumption of news can help calm the mind. It may be important to keep up to date with current events, and it is essential to build in daily breaks from this consumption for your mental well-being.
4. START A GRATITUDE PRACTICE
You can build new neural connections and change your perspective with a consistent gratitude practice. Gratitude is the quality of showing appreciation and being thankful for who you are and what you have. It can improve your mood, develop new social bonds, and help rewire your brain with a positive outlook.
Think of one thing you are grateful for every day. Look around your environment for inspiration. Send love to those you feel connected to. You’re challenged to come up with a new gratitude each day.
5. BE A SUPPORTIVE TEAMMATE.
There will be times when you get to show up for others. Let your teammates and peers know you care and you are there to support them. Check-in and ask “how are you
really doing?”
Keep in mind that repetition is critical in helping a person receive permission to share how they feel. It is unpredictable how a teammate or peer may feel and need to talk to someone. According to
Shakti Therapy & Healing Services, a holistic group practice in Los Angeles, CA, part of being a supportive teammate is educating yourself about mental health and well-being so you can show up as your best self for your teammates and your peers.
When to Consider Therapy (and What to Expect)
Make this YOUR year. Make a decision to invest in your well-being. Just like shooting 100 free throws, scoring that slam dunk, or lifting weights, finding ways to take care of your mental health sets a solid foundation for wellness and victory on and off the courts. Whether you are an NBA player or a CEO,
holistic therapy for high performers in Los Angeles can help you turn pressure into power
If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, reach out, “I can’t tell you that this is going to be easy. But I can tell you that it does get better” (
Kevin Love). People care. Fans look up to heroes. Heroes are humans who turn their pain into power.
“Developing resilience, grit, a level of poise, composure, perspective, confidence, courage, and compassion…are all things you can work on daily” by taking the first step of investing in your mental well-being (Gordon). The more you take care of yourself, the more clear it becomes where your focus should be on and off the courts.
Allow yourself to turn your struggles into strengths, enjoy the process of being in the present moment, and experience happiness.
Ektha Aggarwal is a licensed South Asian Therapist and CEO of Shakti Therapy, specializing in holistic therapy for athletes and high achievers in Los Angeles. Ektha specializes in working with South Asians (Indian & Desi) and people of color to break the stigma around mental health and instill the concept of immigrant resilience. If you are ready to feel empowered, effortlessly achieve your goals, and feel more happiness in your life, schedule a complimentary consultation now.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is mental toughness in sports?
Mental toughness is the ability to maintain focus, determination, and confidence under pressure. It allows athletes to bounce back from failure, handle stress, and perform at their peak despite distractions or adversity.
How do athletes manage performance anxiety?
Athletes manage anxiety through strategies like visualization, breathwork, and routine setting. Working with a therapist on somatic tools can also help regulate the nervous system before big games.
Can therapy help athletes perform better?
Yes. Therapy helps clear mental blockages, improves emotional regulation, and reduces burnout. By addressing the root causes of stress, athletes often find they have more energy and focus for their sport.
What is somatic therapy for athletes?
Somatic therapy focuses on the mind-body connection. Since athletes rely on their bodies, somatic therapy helps them release physical tension caused by mental stress, helping them recover faster from both emotional and physical injuries.
How do I know if I need mental health support?
If you are experiencing persistent sadness, anxiety, sleep disturbances, or a loss of interest in your sport, it may be time to seek support. You don’t need to be in crisis to benefit from therapy; many athletes use it as a preventative tool.
Do you offer virtual sessions in California?
Yes, Shakti Therapy offers secure, HIPAA-compliant virtual sessions for clients throughout California, making it easy for traveling athletes to maintain their therapy routine.
