Pressure can affect your mental health negatively- Virat Kohli
Many people have recognised Virat Kohli’s contribution to the development of a culture of physical fitness in Indian cricket. But the former captain of India has also been a fervent supporter of mental health. Kohli recently discussed the value of compartmentalising, being in touch with one’s inner self, and maintaining a balance in an interview with the Indian Express.
“For an athlete, the sport can bring the best out of you as a player but at the same time, the amount of pressure that you are constantly under, can affect your mental health negatively. It is definitely a serious issue and as much as we try to be strong at all times, it can tear you apart,” said Virat Kohali.
In the process, he described how being disconnected from his inner self made it difficult for him to shake off some emotions, and he gave advice to aspiring athletes to focus on both their physical health and recovery as well as their ability to connect with oneself.
“My tips to aspiring athletes would be that yes, physical fitness and focus on recovery is the key to being a good athlete, but at the same time, it is crucial to consistently keep in touch with your inner self.”
He added: “I personally have experienced times when even in a room full of people who support and love me, I felt alone, and I am sure that this is a feeling that a lot of people can relate to. So, take out time for yourself and reconnect with your core self. If you lose that connection, it wouldn’t take very long for other things to crumble around you.”
In his 14-year international cricket career, Kohli has acquired some knowledge on coping with the pressures of being a professional athlete, including how to navigate the highs and lows. He urged sportsmen to maintain balance based on his experience.
He said: “You need to learn how to compartmentalise your time so that there’s balance. It takes practice like anything else in life, but it’s something worth investing in, that’s the only way to feel a sense of sanity and enjoyment while doing your work.”
Travel relieves my stress.
After stressful professional sports seasons, Kohli added that spending time with his family and travelling have helped him relax. The former skipper has taken pauses between series this calendar year and has only participated in 4 of India’s 21 T20 matches so far.
For the ODIs and T20Is in the West Indies, Kohli was given a rest day, and he also asked for a rest day for the three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe that begins on August 18. The Asia Cup, which begins on August 27 in the UAE, will mark his return to competitive play.
The one thing that truly helps me unwind after a hectic season is spending time with my family. Apart from that, I love to spend time pursuing my hobbies. Travel is something that helps me de-stress a lot, and of course coffee; I believe that I am a coffee connoisseur and absolutely love trying out different flavours and coffee spots around the world,” Kohli said.
