Ollie Pope - Rest helps me to reset

The old-fashioned perception of sports people goes something like this: focus on your sport 24/7 and sacrifice everything else until you retire.

That theory has long been debunked, and England's cricket team is a great example of how rest and reset helps you find the right balance.

Ollie Pope is one of many players who seek other outlets to relieve the pressure of being an elite athlete.

For some it's gaming, for others it's as simple as losing yourself in a book. For the England vice-captain, golf is a regular release from the mental rigours of a Test series or an international tournament.

"It is so important to have other interests," said Ollie.

"It makes you much more aware of how important it is to get that balance right in your life."

Ollie's observations are backed up by England captain Ben Stokes - also a fellow 4CAST athlete - who encourages outside interests like golf to allow players to step away from the intense pressure at the highest level.

And that view is echoed by multiple experts in the field, including psychologist Dr. Mark Bristow, who works with elite rugby players.

"Diversifying identity helps athletes avoid burnout," he said. "Having interests beyond sport reduces anxiety, maintains perspective, and builds resilience.”

HOW YOU CAN REST BETTER

1. Develop hobbies:

Find activities away from work or training.

2. Guard downtime:

Rest is easiest to lose, and hardest to reclaim.

3. Connect socially:

Time with friends and family restores energy.

THE BOTTOM LINE

For Ollie, rest meant finding himself outside cricket.

For all of us, the message is universal - real rest is not just sleep, but a balance that protects the mind as well as the body.