Why mental health is important for an athlete

(KYMA, KECY/ CNN) - As the Olympic Games continue and a big Super Bowl for Americans to look forward to, health experts say mental health should be a big focus for athletes.

Struggling with mental health subjects such as anxiety can result in a poor performance, as athletes can feel like they're on edge or may not be able to concentrate.

Bad mental health may also affect sleep and increase muscle tension.

"These things within an athletic population can decrease performance and it can also increase the risk for an athlete to develop an injury," said sports psychiatrist Dr. Joshua Norman.

Dr. Norman also mentions how an athlete can take care of their mental health by having a plan after their careers ends and by not ignoring any issues.