Training the athlete's mind is just as important as training the body.

Athletes need to have a trained and balanced mind to unlock their full potential and achieve peak performance. A stable and focused mind may be a decisive advantage of top athletes over (just) good ones. That is why many top athletes use various mental exercises to strengthen their mind's stability.

However, mental health is another crucial aspect that is less discussed. Studies have shown that elite athletes have similar rates of mental ill-health, such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and sleep disorders as the general population. Nevertheless, athletes are exposed to specific risk factors that can negatively impact their mental health, such as sports-related injuries, excessive expectations, performance failures, overtraining, and travelling to unfamiliar environments.

These risk factors can cause over-reactivity and negatively affect the athlete's focus, performance, and the onset and severity of mental health symptoms. By knowing oneself and practising mind-balancing techniques, athletes can become more aware of their thoughts, emotions and physical sensations. This knowledge helps them understand their reactions and their root causes, giving them the power to control or eliminate them if not beneficial. It also enhances focus on required tasks, reduces stress levels, enhances emotional intelligence and makes athletes more resilient to depression and anxiety.

In summary, understanding oneself enhances athletic performance, helps cope with mental challenges and facilitates the end-of-career transition, regardless of whether it is premature or planned.

If you are looking to improve your athletic performance, we offer the unique Workshop 'Know thyself' and 'Bespoke 5-day Vipassana meditational course' designed specifically for athletes and coaches.

Valuable Sources:

Mental Health In Elite Athletes: Increased Awareness Requires An Early Intervention Framework to Respond to Athlete Needs

Break the stigma; mental health in sports is just as essential as physical health

Benefits of Sports for Mental Health