Hannah Hidalgo and Audi Crooks share how they stay calm under the high stakes of March Madness.
And thanks to the added eyes?
Holistic wellness is more crucial than ever.
Heres what they had to sayand why its a game-changer well beyond the sidelines.
Its overwhelming at times, she says.
My freshman year, I was just playing basketball and not necessarily taking care of myself.
sports psychologist and Director of Health and Wellness at Cognitive Behavior Therapy Associates of Denver
It wore me out.
Crooks echoes this sentiment.
The center says that the constant online chatterwhether it’s praise or critiquescan creep into an athletes headspace.
A lot of the challenges and critiques take place online, she says.
So I like to unplug.
Theres constant feedback, and its harder to stay in your own lane.
sports psychologist and Director of Health and Wellness at Cognitive Behavior Therapy Associates of Denver
With around-the-clock access, athletes are under a microscope like never before.
Thats where mental toughness and a solidself-caregame come into focus.
A clearer mind and a steadier shot, something that science co-signs.
Its not one-size-fits-all, though.
Its a privilege to practice and play, so I count my blessings.
I also have this hugeperfumecollection, she laughs.
Its different every day, but I have a big thing for scents and smelling good.
(Hidalgo swears she doesnt have onesignature scent.)
Crooks, meanwhile, keeps it cozy and creative.
Dr. Johns sees this as a trend among young athletes.
Mindfulness skills, like focusing on one thing at a time, help them stay present.
Being able to embrace everyones differences and love them in their own unique way is a blessing.
Crooks ties leadership to relatability.
To be a leader is to be someone worth following, she says.
Success feels great because most of the time its a group accomplishment.
I just play ball.
Dr. Johns advice for tuning out the noise is to consider the source.
Is this an armchair expert or someone who actually knows you?
Let go of what doesnt matter and listen to the people in your corner.
Its a lesson Hidalgos learned, too.
Its okay to step away and disconnect, the guard tells peers struggling with the spotlight.
You dont have to always be on social media.
But Hidalgo and Crooks are proof you’ve got the option to thrive despite the noise.
As Dr. Johns puts it, Repetitive practice builds muscle memory and becomes second nature.
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