Galaxy Thoughts

 Mental Health Awareness and the Taboo of Sports Psychology in Pakistan: Why Local Athletes Refuse to See a Therapist Despite High-Pressure Environments LAIBA WAHEED  Department of Health and Physical Education  ABSTRACT Mental health remains a profoundly stigmatized domain within Pakistani sport culture. Despite the documented psychological demands of elite athletic competition — including performance anxiety, identity foreclosure, overtraining syndrome, and career transition stress — Pakistani athletes across disciplines exhibit a marked and consistent reluctance to engage with sport psychology services or mental health professionals. This paper investigates the socio-cultural, religious, institutional, and structural barriers that sustain this reluctance, drawing on a mixed-methods framework that combines survey data from 112 competitive athletes across cricket, field hockey, squash, and athletics, with in-depth interviews from 18 athletes, 8 coaches, and 4 national-le...

 Smartphone Use vs Digital Detox in Training Camps: Effects on Athlete Cohesion and Performance By Laiba Waheed DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION ABSTRACT Background: This study investigates the impact of smartphone use versus structured digital detox practices on athlete cohesion and performance during intensive training camps. As smartphones become increasingly integrated into athletes’ daily routines, concerns have emerged regarding distraction, reduced interpersonal interaction, and potential declines in team unity. Conversely, digital detox strategies are proposed to enhance focus, strengthen social bonds, and improve overall training outcomes. Using a mixed-methods approach, data were collected from competitive athletes across multiple team-based sports, comparing groups allowed regular smartphone access with those participating in a guided digital detox protocol. Measures of team cohesion, communication quality, perceived focus, and objective performance indicators...