SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – Day two of the Summit League basketball tournament in Sioux Falls wrapped up Thursday night with the South Dakota State men’s team in front of a packed crowd.
While the athletes compete on the court, a partnership off the court is helping athletes deal with the stress that competition brings.
This is the second year that Sanford Health and JLG Architects have partnered to provide a designated room for strengthening mental health.
Athletes, coaches, and team personnel can step aside and take a calming break.
Collegiate athletics are filled with pressure-packed moments, and tournament time is no different.
Career-defining games, crowds watching every play with anticipation, potential injury risk, heightened focus on results. Stress and anxiety can overwhelm an athlete in many ways.
“We hear them. We know that they’re going through a lot,” said Brittney Nathan with Sanford Health.
Nathan is a lead program development specialist for Sanford Health’s Fit Initiative.
She said taking a break might be necessary for some athletes to calm down and refocus.
“These athletes have worked so hard to get here, and there’s so much emphasis on their physical performance and the final output and their score, but it’s also equally important to support them through that mental lens,” Nathan said.
Sanford calls this space at the team hotel their “Zen Zone.”
With sensory items, educational resources, and positive affirmations, the space is tailored to fit whatever the athlete needs at that time. In a release, Summit League Commissioner Josh Fenton applauded the effort.
“The intensity of championship competition brings incredible excitement, but it also brings unique pressures. The Zen Zone reflects our shared commitment to supporting the whole student-athlete — mentally, physically, and emotionally,” Fenton said.
Yes, these games are still pressure-packed, but taking a step back to reflect helps them realize that they are more than their performance on the court. With a deep breath, they can step out and compete.
“It allows the athletes to step away from the pressures and really feel supported, seen and validated,” Nathan said.
Nathan is proud to put their focus on mental health into planned action and support.
“One’s mental and physical health contribute to your overall well-being, and it’s really important for us at Sanford to support the community through that whole health lens. What’s more important than sharing our stance is by showing it,” Nathan said.
The Zen Zone can be used both independently and alongside a teammate, depending on what the athlete is comfortable with or needs.
Nathan said the most unique aspect of the space is that athletes of rival teams write messages of positivity for each other to read in the room.
They hope to provide the Zen zone again in future years.
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