![\"\"](\"https:\/\/accelerate.sport\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/pexels-phxtosene-_-eneas-16392836-scaled.jpg\")
<\/p>\nTaking part in sports can often be accompanied by nervousness and anxiety. Whether you’re just starting out or a seasoned athlete, it’s normal to feel a surge of adrenaline before a big game or competition.<\/p>\n
However, too much anxiety can affect your performance and prevent you from reaching your full potential. In this blog, we will explore some steps that may help you to overcome your nervousness in a sporting environment, allowing you to perform at your best and enjoy your game.<\/p>\n
Each person is different, the below steps may or may not work for you, but it\u2019s important to find out what helps you to stay calm.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Acknowledge its presence; it\u2019s okay to feel anxious. Try to understand that anxiety is a natural response to being in challenging situations and that even the most experienced athletes experience it. By accepting your anxiety or nerves, you remove the stigma associated with it, and allow yourself to focus on productive strategies for managing it.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Deep breathing exercises and relaxation techniques are powerful tools to calm your mind and body. Practice diaphragmatic breathing by inhaling deeply through your nose, holding your breath for a few seconds, and then exhaling slowly through your mouth.<\/p>\n
If you combine this breathing with other relaxation techniques such as muscle relaxation, you\u2019ll start to feel some relief. Tense and release each muscle group in your body to release tension and promote a sense of calmness. This may not completely remove all your nervousness and anxiety, but it will help you to be more focused rather than leave you feeling overwhelmed.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Anxiety and nerves can often lead to negative thoughts and affirmations, which can further accelerare your nervousness. To combat this, develop more positive affirmations and rehearsing them before and during your sporting events. Repeat statements such as “I can do this,” “I deserve this opportunity,” and “Bring it on,\u201d as a few examples. This step can help you shift your mindset from doubtful to confident.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Take some time before you start at your event or sport, to visualise yourself successfully executing the skills required. Imagine the sights, sounds, and feelings associated with your desired outcome. Although, keep your visualisations realistic; build up your confidence and familiarize your mind with smaller and more progressive positive performance scenarios, reducing anxiety.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Break down your ultimate objective into smaller, achievable goals. By focusing on realistic milestones, you shift your attention away from anxiety-inducing thoughts and create a sense of accomplishment as you progress. Celebrating the smaller victories as this will reinforce your belief in your abilities and help to minimise your nervousness. Some small achievable goals may be things like focusing on your communication skills in a particular game or focusing on playing well with your teammates.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Create a checklist of activities that help you prepare mentally and physically. This routine could include warming up, listening to energising or motivating music, engaging in light stretching exercises, or engaging in a calming ritual as we mentioned above. Being consistent and having a regular plan will help you to focus on the task at hand and give you less time to let the negative thoughts sit.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Don’t hesitate to seek support from your coach, teammates, or a even sports psychologist. Talking to others who understand your concerns can provide valuable insights and reassurance; it can teach you things about yourself you didn\u2019t necessarily know.<\/p>\n
Coaches can help you develop specific strategies to manage anxiety, while teammates can offer encouragement. If necessary, professional help from a sports psychologist can provide tailored techniques to overcome anxiety in a sporting context.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Remember, managing anxiety is an ongoing process, so be patient with yourself and embrace each opportunity for growth. With practice, you can conquer your anxiety and unleash your full potential in the sporting arena.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/accelerate.sport\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Blog-images-95-1024x538.png\")
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Our\u00a0\u2018Dealing with Anxiety in Young Players\u2019<\/strong>\u00a0Online course will help you to detect heightened levels of Anxiety in your young players along with the best ways of helping them deal with this in a positive way.<\/p>\n The course will focus on exploring anxiety in young players.<\/p>\n As part of the course, learners will develop an understanding of the ways in which we can promote positive mental health and reduce the risk of developing anxiety disorders through implementing preventative measures. After completing this course, you will understand how to:<\/p>\n Finally, learners will acquire knowledge of the ways in which they can support young people with anxiety disorders and know when and how to signpost to specialist services when required.<\/p>\n ENROL: Sign up for the Anxiety course today!<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n\n