Author – Vedika Jogani
A recent graduate from Ithaca College with a Master’s degree in Sports and Exercise Science, specializing in Mental Performance, Vedika is OMP’s Product and Content Manager. During her studies, Vedika worked closely with Ithaca’s Men’s and Women’s Tennis Teams and Women’s Volleyball Team as their Mental Performance Consultant. Vedika is currently completing her Certified Mental Performance Consultant Certification.
The sporting season is in its full swing! August marked the start of the NCAA football season, the return of the English Premier League and the resumption of Formula 1 after its summer break and the NFL kicked off, bringing immense excitement to billions of fans around the globe.
However, for athletes this time can be mentally taxing.
It’s the moment when they get to put all of their off-season training to the test, meaning it’s natural for them to grapple with the fear of injury, failure and performing under pressure.
Here are three valuable tips to help that you as an athlete can stay confident and motivated:
Get Adequate Rest
You should not only prioritize physical recuperation but also embrace the invaluable concept of mental and emotional rest. This kind of rest allows for stress reduction and alleviating the symptoms of burnout and overtraining.
It also promotes mental rejuvenation leading to enhanced focus, concentration and heightening cognitive functioning. Embracing mental and emotional rest includes nurturing self-care rituals – like hobbies away from your sport – and seeking support from loved ones. This will allow your mind to remain nurtured, fresh and thoroughly rejuvenated.
Create Routines
In-season, you may deal with many challenges like tough training schedules, the pressure of competing, and the stress of travelling. Having regular routines can be like anchors that can help you be more prepared and feeling in control.
These routines can help you prepare physically and mentally for your games and make sure they have enough time for important things like rest, eating well, getting good sleep and preventing injury.
Focus on the process, not the outcome
At the start of your season, you may have set goals like winning a championship or getting better at the sport you play. But the season is full of surprises and challenges. It’s important that you remember the big picture, which means not letting one bad performance affect your whole season.
Keeping the big picture in mind helps them you to stay focused on your long-term goals, grow as an athlete and enjoy your sport. This approach leads to success and overall well-being.
In the midst of your season, it’s important for you to remember a few key things: First, taking care of your mind and body by getting adequate amounts of rest can help to reduce stress and perform at their best. Second, maintaining routines can help you to stay organized and better prepared for games and finally, keeping long term goals in mind can help you to focus on the process and not the outcome.
