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Simone Biles is making history at the 2024 Olympics.
She’s secured three gold medals so far and has become the most decorated American gymnast in the games’ history. She launched herself to new heights on the vault and performed a near-perfect Biles 2 — a difficult move named after the champion because she was the only woman who could do it successfully. And she’s said she may not be finished with the Olympics after 2024.
Many will remember, however, that Biles faced a very different battle during the last Olympics: her mental health.
The champion bowed out of the 2020 Olympics — held in 2021 due to Covid — before the women’s gymnastics team final after struggling with the pressure of competition and developing the twisties, a phenomenon where nervous gymnasts experience disorientation in midair.
After leaving the competition, she faced a wave of scrutiny. Pundits questioned whether she was committed to gymnastics. Others belittled her and called her a quitter who shouldn’t be celebrated — including current vice presidential nominee JD Vance.
Biles’ decision to take some time for herself and begin therapy did not end her career. She even credited her therapy with helping her make it to the 2024 Olympics in the first place.
“Being in a good mental spot, seeing my therapist every Thursday is kind of religious for me. So that’s why I’m here today,” Biles said in an interview with NBC News.
Why mental health is key to getting ahead
Of course, Biles is a one-in-a-million talent, but mental health experts told Business Insider that prioritizing mental health at work can be a positive step that can help everyday workers get ahead in their careers.
“Ignoring your mental health is literally ignoring the part of your body that controls everything: your movements, your emotions, your cognitions,” Dr. Janna Koretz, the founder of Azimuth Psychological, told Business Insider. “If you don’t pay attention to it, all of it falls apart. If you want to rise through the ranks at work, do a stellar job, and really commit to your team, you have to also pay attention to yourself.”
Workers may ignore their own mental health, fearing that they may fall behind at work, but career well-being strategist Ana Goehner told Business Insider said that while workplaces incentivize hard work, overdoing it can cost you in the end, especially if you end up developing chronic illnesses.
“What some people don’t know is that not treating your mental health can lead to different conditions,” she said. “It’s best to get ahead slowly and steadily or pause like Simone did to return healthy.”
‘It’s better to care for your health than wait’
Workplace stress can result from a multitude of sources. Maybe your job requires you to work for 10 hours a day, or perhaps you’ve been put on a project that takes you too far out of your comfort zone.
Goehner explained that there are many steps that workers can take to prioritize mental wellness at work before it becomes so bad that they have to drop everything and leave. For example, addressing the root cause of stress at work and finding adequate accommodations with your manager can help reduce it.
She also advised that workers get familiar with their workplace policies regarding mental health support.
“Many companies are aware of workplace stress and burnout and offer therapy and other mental health resources through an Employee Assistance Program or other offers, such as a subscription to a meditation app or access to health coaches to address underlying issues,” Goehner said. “Sometimes, you need multiple resources to improve your mental health.”
Goehner also said that many companies are now offering mental health days for workers that can help employees find some relief from workplace stress or burnout.
Mental health leave is still stigmatized
For some workers, a few days aren’t enough. Sometimes, like in Biles’ case, a more rigorous approach to addressing their mental health is necessary.
One option workers might consider is taking some sort of extended leave. However, mental health leave isn’t accessible for many Americans. Goehner said that most companies do not allow paid mental health leave without written permission from a healthcare professional. For people without adequate access to healthcare, this can be a barrier.
Some workers save up to quit their jobs, but outright quitting isn’t feasible for everyone.
Koretz said that at her therapy practice, she advises clients who cannot take that leap of faith and stop working. However, she said, small, incremental lifestyle changes can improve mental health in the workplace.
For example, she said focusing on activities or jobs that align with your personal values can bring “joy and levity” to stressful situations.
“It may not seem like much but making very small changes can impact mental health in a positive way, and can be especially motivating, partly because it also helps us realize we are in control of more than we think,” Koretz said.
Representatives for Biles did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
