Rock Your Athlete with Mindfulness
Over the years, I’ve come to realize two things: 1) teen and college athletes are amazing, dedicated, kick-a** peeps and 2) they are under a hella lotta pressure. Sure, there’s the whole winning the game thing, but it’s more than just that. There’s pressure for scholarships, grades, to “shine” on the field or court. And someone is always there to tell them how they could have done their job better. In our work together, we’ve discovered the power of mindfulness to rock athletic performance and athlete adjustment. But, I get it if mindfulness sounds to woo-woo for you. In fact, just stop reading here. Don’t even peek. Because mindfulness is not for you if:
You like not being able to CONCENTRATE. Research reported recently by the American Counseling Association found 20 minutes of yoga improved young women’s focus on a task. Yoga is a powerful mindfulness-based technique that many schools are using to promote well-being in their students. Athletes are used to body-work and simple yoga moves can elicit energy (like plank and downward dog poses) or calm strength (like tree pose) from the body in a mindful way.
FEELING CALM is a foreign concept. Breath-work (i.e., specific deep breathing practices) can slow and even stop the fight-or-flight response that arises when we are triggered by stress. Sending increased oxygen to our muscles and brain by breathing in through our noses and out through our mouths for a count of 3-5 has the added benefit of sending signals that we are relaxed; it is physically impossible to be anxious and relaxed at the same time.
Enjoying the PRESENT MOMENT feels impossible. Mindfulness promotes a present-orientation rather than a future orientation. Al those “what ifs” we carry are future oriented and create worry. Not to say we shouldn’t hang out there, just that we shouldn’t spend all our time there. Practicing gratitude allows us to focus on what we have in the present that matters most so we can use those things to carry us into a positive future. Journaling a list of those things we are most grateful for is a start in the right direction.
If you or your athlete need additional support, contact me for a complimentary 15- minute phone consultation at 513-813-8550 or hpfamilytherapy@gmail.com.
