Welcome to The Recovery Route!

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Sports challenge the body and the mind. Pressure to perform, fear of failure, and injuries can all impact an athlete’s emotional well-being. Mental health struggles can slow injury recovery, raise the risk of new injuries, and make returning to play feel harder than it should. Any athlete, at any level, can experience these challenges — and none of it means you're weak.

• Depression, anxiety, stress, and fear can worsen during injuries or high-pressure situations.
• Mental health struggles can slow down recovery and increase the chance of re-injury.
• Emotional symptoms often lead to drops in performance, confidence, and motivation.
• Sleep problems, burnout, and overtraining significantly raise injury risk.
  

• High expectations, pressure to perform, and comparison
• Perfectionism or fear of failure
• Changes in role, level, or transitions (new team, new position)
• Overtraining or lack of recovery
• Sleep issues and emotional exhaustion
• Environmental influences — coaching style, team culture, social media
  

You don’t need to hit a “breaking point” to talk to someone. Seek help if you notice:

• Persistent sadness, irritability, or loss of interest in your sport
• Anxiety that interferes with sleep, school, or training
• Difficulty coping with an injury or fear of returning to play
• A sudden drop in motivation, focus, or confidence
• Big changes in mood, sleep, or appetite
• Feeling overwhelmed by expectations or pressure
• Burnout, emotional exhaustion, or wanting to withdraw from your sport
• Any thoughts of hopelessness or self-harm (get immediate help)
  

Getting help leads to better recovery, better performance, and better long-term health.

Answer these honestly. If several feel like a “no,” “not really,” or “not lately,” it’s worth talking to someone you trust.

Energy and Motivation

• Do I usually feel motivated to train?
• Do I have enough energy to get through practices?
• Do I still enjoy the sport most days?
  

Focus and Confidence

• Can I stay focused during workouts and games?
• Do I feel confident in my skills?
• Can I move on from mistakes without getting stuck on them?
  

Stress and Pressure

• Am I managing pressure in healthy ways?
• Do I feel comfortable talking to someone when things get overwhelming?
• Do I feel generally balanced, not constantly stressed?
  
  

Recovery and Injury

• If I’m injured, am I coping well with rehab?
• Do I trust my body as I return to activity?
• Am I not avoiding things out of fear?
  
  

Daily Life

• Am I sleeping well most nights?
  Do I feel connected to teammates, friends, or family?
• Do I feel like myself lately?
  
  

Red Flags to Pay Attention To

These signs mean it’s time to reach out:

• Ongoing fatigue or no motivation
• Feeling disconnected from your sport or your team
• Stress that feels constant or unmanageable
• Playing through pain because of pressure
• Fear of disappointing others
• Mood changes lasting more than a couple of weeks
• Injury affecting your mental state more than expected