Playing sports can be stressful. Yes, it’s a game, but that does not mean it’s not real—it’s very real.
We can face pressure, criticism, failure, injury, burnout, pain, relationship issues, judgment, and defeat. These are real things in life. And even though we are ultimately playing a game or performing, these environments can stress us out.
When we become stressed, our nervous system becomes dysregulated. This means our brain and body function less optimally. We experience performance breakdowns. We lose control over our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Trying to perform in a state of dysregulation leads to worsened performance and less enjoyment.
Players and coaches should understand how their brains and bodies are impacted by the circumstances they face in their performance environments. They should also know how to regulate their nervous systems to improve their health, well-being, and performance.
My new book, B.E.T. On It: A Psychological Approach to Coaching Gen Z and Beyond, seeks to do this. It provides a psychological understanding of athletes and gives practical tools to help them regulate, which means they can better control their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
The benefits of a regulated nervous system for athletes are numerous:
- Decreased stress
- Decreased risk for injury
- Better sleep
- Improved mood, emotion regulation, and cognitive performance
- Better relationships and communication
- Enhanced performance and recovery
Check out how a better understanding of the brain and body can help athletes develop holistically!
