Here are five ways sports psychologists can improve your performance. Many types of sports psychology focus on helping an athlete clear mental barriers. Changing the way an athlete thinks and feels about themselves can greatly boost their performance. Many athletes seek out a sports psychologist to help them with nagging issues which improves how they compete. In this post, you will find five benefits of working with a sports psychologist.
- Helping with Performance Nerves
Athletes regularly compete in front of crowds. Many sports take place during seasons. Near the end of a season, it’s likely that the stakes will be incredibly high for an athlete. It’s no wonder many athletes feel extremely nervous before competing in a big game. No athlete wants to let nerves get the better of them, especially before a crucial event in the season. One study finds that 60% of those surveyed who were prone to anxiety showed improvements in stress levels after meditating for six to nine months. - Enhance Mental Focus
One study finds that 50% of elite athletes feel that great performance in athletics comes from mental or psychological factors. It’s hard for athletes to feel like winners when their heads aren’t in the game. There are many types of sports psychology aspects that deal with mental focus. A sports psychologist will work with an athlete to find out what is bothering them. Learning about the athlete enables a sports psychologist to create a specific plan of action to remove negative thoughts. - Instill a Sense of Mental Toughness
One characteristic of an elite athlete is mental toughness. You will often see the greatest athletes of all time discuss their superhuman training schedule. It’s important to know that few athletes start at the highest level of skill. Many athletes hone their mental toughness which allows them to train at such a high level. One study finds that 83% of coaches feel mental toughness is the most important factor in determining success over the competition. - Optimize Training Methods
Many types of sports psychology deal with exercise regimens. A sports psychologist may ask about your diet and training programs in order to learn more information. Learning information about how you train may find any holes in your training regimen. Understanding what is hampering your athletic performance is incredibly valuable, allowing you to make the right changes. - Perfect for Injury Recovery
Many athletes will experience an injury while playing sports. Unfortunately, certain injuries leave an athlete on the sidelines for long periods of time. It’s much harder for an athlete to return after a year off versus a few weeks. It’s imperative that an athlete seek the treatment of a sports psychologist while undergoing injury recovery. Athletes must ensure their mental and physical health is in great shape before a game.
In closing, there are many ways a sports psychologist helps athletes. A psychologist will help an athlete to get over performance related issues. No athlete wants to mess up during a game because they were stuck in their own head. Many types of sports psychology deal with conditioning the toughness of an athlete. It’s very important that every athlete is focused on the upcoming sporting event. A sports psychologist can work to ensure that an athlete’s training and diet methods are in check. Injuries happen to athletes that can be devastating. It’s best to find types of sports psychology that deal with injury recovery for healing athletes. Seeking out a sports psychologist is recommended for any athlete that needs to reach out for help.
