Simone Biles forHealthmagazine.Photo: PHOTOGRAPHED BY AB + DM
Simone Biles has made her mental wellness a priority, and it’s paid off.
In the gymnast’scover interviewforHealthmagazine’s July/August issue, on sale June 11th, Biles, 24, she explains why self-care has become essential as she trains for her second Olympics this summer. That includes the expected — regular athletic and ice massages, as well as the use of compression boots and Epson-salt baths — but also a mental health regimen.
“For a while, I saw a psychologist once every two weeks,” says Biles. “That helped me get in tune with myself so that I felt more comfortable and less anxious.”
Also in theHealthinterview, the Olympic gold medalist talks about advice she’d give her younger self now, which includes “to not be so stubborn.”
Simone Biles forHealthmagazine.PHOTOGRAPHED BY AB + DM
And, she adds, “to be a little bit happier — to know that it’s not over just because something happens in one day. You can keep pushing.” It’s worked, Biles says, noting she’s “definitely happy” though she “can still be pretty stubborn.”
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“It was a whirlwind of emotions — I couldn’t believe the news,” she tellsHealth. “I was sad. I was angry. I was annoyed. But I also knew it needed to happen to keep everyone safe and get the virus under control.”
To learn more about all the Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls, visitTeamUSA.org. Watch the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics this summer on NBC.
source: people.com
