Mumbai, September 5 (IANS): India’s fastest female ice speed skater Shruti Kotwal has emphasized the importance of maintaining a healthy mental balance for women in sports.
Shruti, who is currently training in the United States for the upcoming Dessert Classic and America Cup, said the championships are scheduled for later this month and athletes from around the world are training physically and mentally to earn a spot on the podium in their respective categories.
Shruti, who moved from the comfort of her home in India at a young age to gain access to world-class training facilities and faced challenges such as homesickness, loneliness and culture shock, said that in addition to physical training and nutrition , there is the same need to keep mental health in check, a statement said Monday.
Commenting on this aspect of being an athlete, especially a woman’s life, Shruti said: “Mental health is just as important as physical health. Lack of knowledge and awareness of mental health in my youth also hampered my physical health and naturally affected my performance.”
“Now I take care of my mental health by trying to maintain a balance between my personal and professional life. I take breaks to recharge and do little things regularly in my daily life, like engaging in hobbies that de-stress. Trying to have a little life socializing and making friends outside of the sports world can be a break and a good change of mind,” he said.
“A healthy work-life balance will increase an athlete’s lifespan! Enjoying sports sounds cliché, but it’s imperative,” added Shruti.
Shruti has consciously inculcated yoga and breathing exercises in her schedule. “In ice speed skating, you’re racing against the clock. You’re trying to beat your own time, so your biggest competitor is yourself. Being faster in every race means getting a better time and that’s a personal achievement.” whenever you get some personal time.” This can affect the minds of many athletes and they end up living with a lot of anxiety and nervousness most of the time,” he said.
She added: “I try to incorporate yoga into my week as I have time. It helps me relax my mind and body. If I’m exhausted after really hard workouts, I make sure to practice breathing exercises and meditation to calm down and increase my lung capacity”.
