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Athletes in the Olympic and Paralympic Games share their top tips so you can fuel your body and rock your workouts Like an Olympian.
Have you ever thought about all that it takes to be an Olympian? Of course, it takes incredible physical fitness to compete at the Olympic level. But it can be easy to forget that these elite athletes have to train — and care for — their minds as well as their bodies.
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Some of the mental challenges Olympic athletes are up against include dealing with intense scrutiny and the pressure to win as well as protect or build their legacies, according to the University of Richmond. These days, they also have to navigate the risk of contracting COVID-19.
Here, learn how four 2022 Winter Olympians and Paralympians are tending to their mental health every day — and let it inspire you, whether you're going after a medal or just aiming to be your best self.
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Tip
Anyone can cultivate mental health like an Olympian by practicing mindfulness, making time to breathe, enjoying some alone time and eating foods that make you happy.
1. 'Practice Being Present'
Stress is a routine part of life for Olympians and non-athletes alike, but that stress is amplified when you have to train and perform at near-superhuman levels.
U.S. Olympic freestyle skier and 2021 World Cup winner Winter Vinecki practices mindfulness for her mental health by focusing on living in the present. "I make sure to take a moment (or many) throughout the day to just take some deep breaths and take in my surroundings," she tells LIVESTRONG.com.
Mindfulness has been proven to help reduce stress, improve your memory and increase focus, per the American Psychological Association.
And like Vinecki, you can make almost any moment a mindful one."Whether this is at the top of the hill during training or during some meditation, it is really important for me to just be in the moment and not stress about what happened in the past or what I have to do in the future," she says.
