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by: Stan Popovich
Sometimes, fear and anxiety can get the
best of us in sports. The key is to know how to manage
that fear and anxiety. As a result, here is a brief
list of techniques that an athlete can use to help manage
their fears and every day anxieties.
Occasionally, you may become stressed
when you have to play in an important round. When this
happens, visualize yourself doing the task in your mind.
For instance, you have to play in the championship golf
game in front of a large group of people in the next
few days. Before the big day comes, imagine yourself
playing the game in your mind. Imagine that you are
playing in front of a large audience. By playing the
game in your mind, you will be better prepared to perform
for real when the time comes. Self-Visualization is
a great way to reduce the fear and stress of a coming
situation.
Sometimes we get stressed out when everything
happens all at once. When this happens, a person should
take a deep breath and try to find something to do for
a few minutes to get their mind off of the problem.
A person could read the newspaper, listen to some music
or do an activity that will give them a fresh perspective
on things. This is a great technique to use right before
your next game.
Another technique that is very helpful
is to have a small notebook of positive statements that
you can carry around with you. Whenever you come across
an affirmation that makes you feel good, write it down
in a small notebook that you can carry around with you.
Whenever you feel stressed, open up your small notebook
and read those statements. This will help to manage
your negative thinking.
In every anxiety-related situation you
experience, begin to learn what works, what doesn’t
work, and what you need to improve on in managing your
fears and anxieties. For instance, you have a lot of
anxiety and you decide to take a small walk before your
game to help you feel better. The next time you feel
anxious you can remind yourself that you got through
it the last time by taking a walk. This will give you
the confidence to manage your anxiety the next time
around.
Take advantage of the help that is available
around you. If possible, talk to a professional who
can help you manage your fears and anxieties. They will
be able to provide you with additional advice and insights
on how to deal with your current problem. By talking
to a professional, a person will be helping themselves
in the long run because they will become better able
to deal with their problems in the future. Remember
that it never hurts to ask for help.
Remember that patience, persistence, and
education will go a long way in preventing fear from
becoming a factor in your game.
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About The
Author
Stan Popovich is the author of
“A Layman’s Guide to Managing Fear Using
Psychology, Christianity and Non Resistant Methods”
– an easy to read book that presents a general
overview of techniques that are effective in managing
persistent fears and anxieties. For additional
information go to: http://www.managingfear.com/ |
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