Former Oiler defender reveals how bad anxiety got in his career
Photo credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
As the month of May continues to roll on, former Edmonton Oilers defenseman Matt Benning spoke in an interview regarding his mental health and how bad it is affecting his playing career to raise awareness of mental health.
He revealed during the interview what the effects were to his health, his appearance and how he approaches the game especially when it comes to mistakes being made on the ice.
Benning revealed how he helped himself with his anxiety
He explained his second year in the NHL was quite tough on his health as he constantly worried about being called up or sent down to the American Hockey League and what would happen to his family and how he performed on the ice.
Benning mentioned that the anxiety had a physical effect on his body as he had lost his hair, and his eyebrows as the constant stress and anxiety continued to drill into him.
Benning found the NHLPA UNLMT initiative a great help with his stress and ways to cope while giving his brain and thoughts another idea to work on.
He chose to broaden his horizons and diversify himself while still playing the game of hockey which included looking into real estate, owning his own business other ways to help cope with the anxiety and the what ifs that continued to plague him.
He continues to get off ice mentorships to help give him more ideas and ways to grow and build his life that's not surrounded by hockey.
Many NHL players using the initiative for personal growth
The program has received great reviews and has helped many NHL players look at the world differently and help them make great choices by increasing their interests.
With the world in a tough state and no signs of it diminishing, many people around the world including NHL players are finding it tough and are seeking out help to handle their mental anguish.
It's great to see that players are reaching out and getting the help they need to help stop the terrible stories that continue to be told about NHL players who are isolated, depressed and struggling but their mental health.
| POLL | ||
MAI 23 | 747 ANSWERS Former Oiler defender reveals how bad anxiety got in his career Do you think the NHLPA is doing enough to help players mental health? | ||
| Yes | 207 | 27.7 % |
| No | 540 | 72.3 % |
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