The following post is an excerpt from Emotional Aptitude In Sports NOW available through most online retailers! Click Here to Order
Rethinking Stress
A very common view within the athletic community is that stress is the enemy in competition- the more stress felt, the worse the performance. Essentially believing that nothing good comes from stress. But this belief couldn’t be further from the truth. Stress is actually very beneficial to the competitive athlete. Athletes who accept that stress is part of competition, are actually healthier competitors and much more likely to succeed. How one views competition, ultimately determines the effects that stress has on their performance. In fact, on the playing fields, chasing excellence is better for your well-being than trying to avoid the stress (pain) of competition.
Let’s join up with Evan and Jarrod one last time. This time to discuss their take on the stress of competition.
Question: How does stress in competition affect performance?
Evan: When I feel stressed, my heart beats faster, raising my adrenaline levels and pumping more oxygen throughout my body. I see stress as a plus- preparing me for the battle. Stress tells me it’s “GO TIME” and I focus better. Without the stress, there wouldn’t be extra hormones running through my body giving me an extra boost.
Jarrod: In the past, when I’m freaking out … My stomach hurt and I became irritable, overwhelmed, and angry. All I would think about is the outcome and I panicked and choked. I guess I chose to go that route. I used to be an idiot …
Frank’s Tip: Stress isn’t the culprit. It’s how individuals choose to view stress. If you’re a bit like Jarrod, it is time to apply stress management solutions to help you flip your attitude and learn to use stress to improve your performance.
Final thoughts on Evan and Jarrod: I had a feeling that Evan would help provide young athletes with an optimistic, solution-based voice coming from their peer group. Honestly, I was very worried about Jarrod at the beginning of this process. I speculated wrongly that his narcissistic views couldn’t be swayed. As we dug deeper into the benefits of emotional aptitude, Jarrod slowly but surely changed his rigid stance and began to accept this developmental process. I couldn’t be more pleased that Jarrod is now on board.
SOLUTION #17: Basic Stress Management Strategies
- Apply physical activity to burn off excess stress hormones- go for a short-run before checking in to the event.
- Apply relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, yoga, or meditation.
- Flip the negative frame of mind with a more positive frame of mind.
- Set aside time for non-competitive hobbies, such as playing a musical instrument or reading a motivational book.
- Get plenty of sleep and eat a healthy, balanced diet.
- Understand that viewing stress as a positive builds confidence.
