College sports madness occurs on and off the field of play. The athletes train hard to stay in shape, compete, and win. While up-and-coming stars jockey for position, seasoned athletes understand precisely what it takes to get to the top and stay there. There's always someone snapping at your heels, wanting to dethrone you. Operating at peak performance certainly takes its toll. Premier college athletes are duty-bound to perform on the field and in the classroom; it's an unenviable challenge. But it's one that these superstars relish.
According to official data sources, the highest-paid college athletes – superstars in their own right – command immense paydays. Among the highest-paid college basketball stars and football players are the likes of Marvin Harrison Jr from Ohio State, at $1.4 million, Michael Penix junior from Washington at $1.3 million, Dylan Gabriel from Oregon at $1.3 million, and Jaxson Dart from Ole Miss at $1.4 million. Anyone earning a seven-figure salary at the college level is in sublime form and in high demand. This begs the question: How do college sports stars maintain focus, destress, and rejuvenate themselves?
Medical health professionals routinely tout the link between mental health and athletic prowess. The two are inextricably intertwined. While college athletes are duty-bound to perform on the field of play, it takes tremendous powers of concentration, physical fitness, skills development, and focus to maintain extraordinary performance. But the mental pressures at that level of play can be overwhelming. Given the youthfulness of college athletes, some players succumb to these mental pressures. It's at this juncture that depression, fatigue, loss of interest, and physical injuries materialize.
Facts and Figures: College Transitions
Downtime is Essential for Maintaining Peak Performance
Help is at hand, and it comes in many different ways. There is no substitute for training and in-game practice. But the mental prep is equally important. An unlikely respite comes in the form of high-energy online social games – there is no competition unless you put the pedal to the medal. NCAA basketball stars may be pleasantly surprised to learn they can play at a social gaming hub like Play Fame. It's one of many adrenaline-fuelled gaming platforms that instantly satisfy college sports stars looking for some time out on the virtual field of play.
Basketball by EvoPlay offers high-energy entertainment with rock 'n' roll music, five reels of basketball-themed madness, and plenty of fanfare to keep the crowds on their feet. Best of all, there's no pressure to perform – the in-game mechanics handle everything. It's a great way to dribble, pivot, divvy, and slam dunk your way to victory.
With so many software giants on board, players will find all sorts of college-themed sports represented, including the cultured art of swordsmanship, with Sword of Aries by Pragmatic Play. Or the inimitable football-themed game Red Zone Blitz by 1X2. With social games, college athletes can kick back, relax, and enjoy downtime – no pressure at all.
Top Tips to Assist College Athletes
Diet, sleep, and exercise are the trifecta for peak performance. Student-athletes typically eschew help through college resources. Statistics indicate that just 10% – one in every ten student-athletes – is likely to ask for help when mental health challenges present. Part of it is bravado – student-athletes are tough and must appear invincible to the rest of the student body. There are several ways to mitigate the effects of impending disaster.
Perhaps the most crucial thing college athletes can do is get enough downtime, notably sleep. A body cannot function optimally when it is exhausted. All the college sports madness on the field of play exacerbates this. Athletes are advised to balance sport, study, and social life with enough sleep to keep all three avenues functional.
Luckily, all reputable colleges provide student-athlete support and assistance. There are counseling services with one-on-one sessions available to assist athletes with mental health challenges. There are even sports psychologists in-house to provide the necessary steel to bolster the well-being of the college sporting elites. Undoubtedly, the pressure is on college athletes with scholarships who must perform to retain their financial assistance.
It's a lot to take on as a youngster, but it's important to see things in perspective to avoid burnout or, worse yet, career blowout. Nowadays, many peer support programs are readily available to assist college sports stars with all the guidance and support they need. The ultimate goal is the health and wellness of college athletes, and it all begins from the top down.
