When we speak about athletes, we tend to think of physical performance but one thing many athletes struggle with is mental performance. Sports psychology explores the mental performance of athletes and how it benefits them within their physical performance.
Jaclyn Ellis is a sports Psychologist who collaborates with athletes on a daily basis.
“Many high-level athletes have high expectations for their performance but get frustrated when those expectations are not met, we talk a lot about how to manage those expectations.”
“Athletes are afraid to make mistakes because they assume coach will pull them out the game.”
A lot of high-level athletes struggle with stress, and it can impact their performance. They worry and stress about their performance and their team’s performance. Many of the world’s biggest sporting stars have worked with physiologist including Michael Jordan, Kobey Bryant and Sean Brady all stated that working with a sports psychologist “was an internal part of their success.”
One of the reasons people with a physiologist is the stress factor of their career. The stress of having to physically perform daily and to manage everything surrounded with being an athlete can be very stressful. Ways it can help is by overseeing your stress management. You can discuss how sport is affecting your stress levels and what it is that’s stressing you. And you can implement healthy ways to cope and deal with stress.
Improving your mental health will also improve your physical health as well. Your sport will feel easier, and you will be able to connect with your teammates easier. Some coaches will use a sports psychologist to create gameplans due to the high level of mental pressure associated with sport.
Building confidence is a key strength athletes use when speaking to someone. Self-sabotage is a real thing and to be able to let it out and build your confidence but talking about your doubts is a mental skill most athletes don’t use.
