Olympian Aly Raisman Says Limiting Phone Use Has Improved Her Mental Health

Aly Raisman attends the Visa Cash App RB Formula One Team 2024 Livery Reveal in Las Vegas, Nev., on Feb. 08, 2024. Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images for Cash App

Aly Raisman is taking the initiative to protect her peace.

On Tuesday, the six-time Olympic medalist said that limiting her phone usage has improved her mental health, allowing her to be more present with others.

“I’m really trying to be more present when I’m with people and not be on my phone as much, which has really helped my mental health,” she told E! News. “Because I think when I’m present, I feel more relaxed and more calm.”

Raisman, 30, expressed the “very difficult balance” between responding to texts from friends and family and being present. For the former Olympian, a mound of unread texts increases her anxiousness, taking away from the current moment.

Instead, the “Fierce Five” captain appreciates the ability to “unplug” from her screen, as it gives her “permission to just relax” and “disconnect from everything.” Raisman also spends some of that digitally disengaged time with her dog, Mylo, who, to her, is “the best part of my everyday wellness.”

“I see a lot of myself in him,” she explained, noting their similar anxious tendencies. “I can read him very well, where sometimes he wants his alone time in his space, and I feel like I’m the same way.”

Mental Health Advocate

Raisman has long championed mental health awareness. Earlier this month, the 30-year-old explained the importance of athletes speaking up about their challenges on and off the stage and the impact it could make on younger fans.

“I love how this younger generation right now is going to grow up to know that their favorite athletes in the world, no matter how good they are, no matter how many followers they have, they are human just like them,” she told CNN’s Jim Acosta on Aug 9. “And everyone has good and bad days, and it’s important to talk about if someone’s struggling.”

In a 2020 BBC Instagram video, the Olympic champion shared the steps she takes to combat feelings of depression, anxiety, and challenges with self-worth, starting with listing three things that bring her gratitude daily.

“Every single day I have been either listening to a podcast that’s sort of about mental health, I’ve been reading a book that’s sort of about mental health or healing or learning about it,” she said.

“I absolutely love gardening and that’s something that really brings me a lot of calm, a lot of joy,” later adding her fondness for “guided meditations” and “going on nature walks.”

Olympic Legend

In 2012, Raisman made her Olympic debut in London, England, as captain of the U.S. women’s gymnastics team, nicknamed the “Fierce Five,” alongside Gabby Douglas, Jordyn Wieber, McKayla Maroney, and Kyla Ross.

That year, Raisman won gold medals in the women’s team all-around and women’s floor competitions and a bronze medal in the balance beam competition, making her the most decorated U.S. gymnast at the London Olympic Games.

At the Rio de Janeiro Games in 2016, Raisman won gold in the women’s team all-around and silver medals in the women’s individual all-around and floor competitions, earning her the third rank for the most decorated U.S. gymnast in history behind Shannon Miller and Simone Biles.