Many believe the global suspension of all sporting activities because of the COVID-19 pandemic has given sportspersons a rare opportunity to put their feet up and make up for the time they had not spent with their families. 

Paddy Upton, the former India mental conditioning and strategic leadership coach, however, shares a contrary view on the issue. Upton believes there will be some who'll experience anxiety, insecurity because of sporting and financial reasons, with their careers put on hold. 

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"A significant change in the status quo is stressful for most people. For athletes, there would be a range of experiences, from welcome relief for the established to anxiety and insecurity, both professionally and financially, for possibly a greater number," the renowned South African told TOI. 

For cricketers, specifically, Upton reckons those who have developed some off-field interests would find it easier to tackle this phase. "The athletes who had interests outside of cricket, and which they can still pursue, will be coping better than those who have made sport the sole focus and purpose of their lives," he said. "For this latter group, they will really need to find new interests."

"Fringe players and those at the early stages of their career, especially those who have very recently broken through to the next level, would naturally be feeling this break very disruptive."

The anxiety or depression may set in some because of the suspension of this year's edition of the IPL, which remains a major career-boosting platform and great source of income for all. 

"Naturally IPL is a huge highlight on the calendar for many cricketers, and a cash cow," Upton said. "Anxiety and depression arise within healthy and normal people, when they spend too much time focusing firstly on themselves, and secondly on the problems that they are having."

"I would really caution not only athletes, but everyone, to use their awareness to guard against this very normal threat. The way to overcome it is to focus on other people, caring for them, and at the same time to look for opportunities that are available due to this additional time."

Upton also suggested ways for such cricketers to overcome their negative thoughts. "What's important is to ensure we maintain a bigger perspective of our lives, specifically taking care of all the facets that make up who we are as humans, which include looking after the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspect of our lives."

"Being proactive in each of the areas I mentioned, ensuring that we are productively building each facet of our life, moving towards solutions, rather than sitting and doing nothing and overworrying about current or future problems," he added. 

(Inputs from TOI)