Suni Lee’s Mental Health Routine: How the Gymnast Cares for Herself Amidst Olympic Pressure

Title: Suni Lee Prepares for Paris Olympics with Focus on Mental Health

Just because you win three medals during your first Olympic appearance doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed another spot four years later—but Suni Lee is up for the challenge. The 21-year-old gymnast had an epic Olympic debut at the 2020 Tokyo games as the first Asian-American woman to win the gold medal in the women’s all-around event. Plus, she won a silver medal in the team event and a bronze medal on the uneven bars.

Despite her past success, Suni is training hard in hopes of making this year’s Paris games, and she’s feeling the pressure this time around. It was her dream just to be at the Tokyo Olympics—a goal she’d had in the back of her mind since age 13. “There was no pressure behind it besides the pressure that I put on myself,” Suni tells Women’s Health.

Now, as Suni carries the weight of her previous medals and titles, the pressure to qualify for the 2024 Olympics has been something that she’s trying to work on for her mental health. Suni relies on simple self-care activities like journaling and therapy to support her mental well-being. She also visualizes her competitions and listens to music to hype herself up before meets.

Suni’s recovery tools include spending time with family and friends, shopping, eating healthily, and taking naps. She listens to her body and prioritizes rest to stay motivated and positive. With the Paris Olympics on the horizon, Suni is focused on maintaining her mental health and using her self-care routine to guide her journey to the games.