Are you taking the time to love and appreciate yourself? It’s no secret that high-performing athletes are hard on themselves. It’s what got you here, right? But what happens when you’re not getting the results you want? Or when that tough love leads to performance anxiety and self-doubt? Self-compassion and self-acceptance are some crucial, hidden ingredients of success. These concepts remind athletes to treat themselves like a friend, while accepting the parts of themselves that they cannot change and that make their story unique.

Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) is a relaxation technique that involves tensing and relaxing muscles one by one. This is done to reduce stress and anxiety as athletes become more aware of any muscle tension and learn to let it go, creating a state of deep relaxation.

As indoor track begins, it is important for athletes to understand how they can fully optimize their potential. While most indoor track athletes have been putting in months of physical training, many often overlook the importance of mental training. This blog post highlights the most important mental skills and tools that the indoor track athlete can use to optimize their potential.

Tryouts are intense, no doubt. But they’re also an opportunity to test yourself, to grow, and to show the kind of competitor and person you are becoming.

If you walk into the gym with trust in your preparation, a clear sense of who you are, and a focus on what you can control, you’ve already succeeded in the ways that matter most.

Intensity regulation is crucial for athletes. While some athletes perform best when they are relaxed, others must increase their level of arousal. Breathing is a simple, yet essential tool that athletes can utilize to reach their optimal level of arousal and performance.

Wise Mind is an extension of mindfulness that integrates both the rational and emotional states of mind. By understanding Wise Mind, athletes can make more effective, well-balanced decisions when it matters.

Mindfulness is a powerful performance skill that supports intentional action and acceptance, the replacement of judgment and comparison with facts and feelings, and elevates excellence of perfection.

Navigating the world of mental health professionals, life coaches, and performance coaches can be overwhelming. Understanding the training and expertise of different professionals will help you to make informed decisions.

A consistent practice of gratitude is a key to unlocking an athlete’s ability to master psychological suffering.