Two Olympic medals. A world championship. Yet PV Sindhu has been honest that the toughest match isn't always on the court. It's the one in the mind.
The weight of expectation
Sindhu has spoken about how there are times you feel the pressure, the responsibility and the anxiety of knowing that people want you to win, and you want to win too. Most of us know this feeling. A student before board exams, a professional before a big presentation, a parent trying to "get it all right".
Her simple tool: meditation
During the Tokyo Olympics, she shared that she meditates at times, and that it keeps her mind calm. She has also described meditation as her go-to self-care whenever she feels overwhelmed, and said it helps her process what she is feeling. There's no magic in it. It's a daily practice of pausing before reacting.
Fit body, tired mind
After her injury comeback, she admitted that the mental adjustment took longer than expected, even though she was physically fit. Recovery isn't only about the body, and a setback can wear on your confidence even after the problem has healed.
Talking about it is not weakness
She has also said that the mental health of sportspersons is being ignored and that talking about it is important. That applies far beyond sport. Many of us treat our minds as machines that should simply keep going.
Try this today: a 3-minute reset
- Sit comfortably and close your eyes.
- Breathe in for 4 counts, hold for 2, and out for 6.
- Silently name what you're feeling: "pressure", "worry", "tired".
- Ask yourself, "What is one small thing I can do next?"
Repeat daily, especially before stressful moments. Slow breathing and mindfulness are well-known ways to settle an overactive mind.
When to seek help
If stress is affecting your sleep, relationships, health or confidence, don't wait for a breaking point. Hypnotherapy, NLP and mindset coaching can help you reframe limiting thoughts and build calm, steady confidence.
You may not be playing in an Olympic final, but you're playing your own game every day. Take care of the player.
Ready to build a stronger mindset? Book a consultation with Shalini Mehta Therapy and learn practical tools for calm, clarity and confidence.