As we write these words, baseball’s regular season starts this week. Of course, baseball plays an outsized role in the American imagination because we think of it as the “National Pastime.” In addition to the game itself and all the memorable moments it has delivered over the years, baseball has been at the heart of some of the most memorable songs, books, and movies that have become beloved parts of popular culture.
That said, you might not think baseball has much to teach us about mental health. Sure, there is a mental aspect to the game, but all those balls, strikes, home runs, and the like might seem far removed from issues related to depression, anxiety, or other mental health disorders.
Nevertheless, we think the baseball diamond can, in fact, be the site of some important lessons when it comes to thinking about mental health. Let us take you out to the ballgame.
There Are Going to Being Ups and Downs
If there is one thing every baseball player knows it is that there are going to be ups and downs over the course of the season. Some days, it seems like everything goes right. A batter connects for a home run, a pitcher racks up the strikeouts, or a fielder makes a slick play to get an important out.
Other days, it seems like everything goes wrong. The batter strikes out, the pitcher gives up a home run, the fielder makes an error.
And on many other days, the game will offer up a combination of satisfying and frustrating moments for most everyone on the field.
The key—even for a player in a long slump of one kind or another—is to keep working toward better outcomes. Each plate appearance, inning pitched, or moment in the field is an opportunity to get things going in the right direction. Baseball has a long, long season, so getting yourself reset after a setback is always a possibility.
That is true when it comes to your mental health, too. Even when you are struggling with symptoms of a mental health disorder, you can keep working toward better outcomes. Will there be frustrations? Sure. But if you stay in the game over the long haul, you can steadily start collecting more wins.
You Are Not Out on the Field Alone
While it can feel pretty lonely when you are in the batter’s box trying to make contact with a pitcher’s nastiest pitch, the fact is that baseball is a team sport. And everyone on the team has a role to play.
Some folks are pitchers. Others are great hitters. Another might be a great base stealer or a wonderful fielder or the kind of person who keeps the whole atmosphere light and fun in the dugout and locker room. The manager has a role on the team as does the pitching coach, the trainer, and the bat boy or girl.
When you are working toward improved mental health, you have a team, too. That team includes your supportive family and friends, your doctors and therapists, and others who have had similar experiences to yours and can provide support and encouragement.
Getting your whole team pulling in the same direction—that is, supporting your mental well-being—is a great way to get more wins when it comes to your mental health.
There Are Plenty of Distractions You Have to Block Out
If you have been to the ballpark as a fan, you know there are plenty of things going on other than the game itself. There are mascots, food vendors, and folks doing the wave. There is each player’s walkup song, each umpire’s unique way of indicating a strike, and each announcer’s different approach to calling out a player’s name.
All of that—and more—can be quite enjoyable when you are in the stands. If you are on the field, however, you have to be able to block all of those things out so you can focus on what you need to do in the game itself.
When you are working on your mental health, there are plenty of distractions to block out as well. Everything from social media to other people’s drama can have a negative impact on your mental health, so minimizing those distractions is important. Keeping your focus on your goals is a necessity.
Think of Peak View as Your Training Camp
Ready to improve your mental health and maintain those improvements over time? At Peak View Behavioral Health—located in Colorado Springs, Colorado—we are ready and able to help. We offer personalized treatment plans based on your specific needs and evidence-based practices. Our full team of highly trained psychiatrists, psychologists, medical doctors, nursing staff, therapists, and behavioral health associates is devoted to your mental health.
