Mindset, Psychology & Reiki for Athletes
“Ninety percent of the game is half mental.” - Yogi Berra
Sport has advanced to being about more than just your physical skill. Emerging areas of focus to develop an athlete are psychology, mindset, reiki, and mental toughness.
In the book Mind Gym, Sports psychological Gary Mack dives into factors that impact an athlete's performance. He explains that these are physical ability, physical training, mental training, and desire or drive.
Once an athlete (or anyone really) reaches a certain skill-based level (knowledge + the ability to perform), the mental skills become just as important, if not more.
How does this play out? Well, let's look at a scenario: you’ve been in your field for X years. You’re at a place in your position where you understand your responsibilities & you overdeliver on your KPIs. Suddenly, something happens. It is impacting your work, you're no longer operating from a place of being in the zone. Things aren’t clicking the way they normally have, you’re making errors on things you used to be able to do in your sleep.
What Mack is explaining makes sense. A key aspect is taking care of your body - working out, skills-based practices, your food, and supplement intake. Then comes the knowledge aspect of studying game tape, knowing your plays. You’re focused on combining the two by practicing so that it starts to become automatic. Physical ability and training will only take you so far.
Once you’ve reached a peak, it becomes greater than just your physical ability. Now your mind is going to factor in even more. How do you perform under pressure - the rush of emotions, are you finishing assignments down to the wire? Do you have the mental toughness to bounce back from adversity?
“Mindset is your mental outlook and how it helps or hinders your performance in competition.”
What is sports psychology?
It’s an area in psychology that specifically deals with mental factors that influence sports performance, including the well-being of athletes. The mental aspect compliments physical preparation for the game. Sports psychologists specialize in understanding how aspects involved in participating in sport affect an athlete’s life (well-being, health, psychological development).
What exactly does a sports psychologist do?
A sports psychologist works with an athlete to enhance their performance, cope with pressures, and recover. Athletes are under tremendous stress: so they share mental strategies like visualization, self-talk, and relaxation techniques. The mental support from a sports psychologist offers an additional layer of support to strengthen an athlete's performance.
”It’s hard work, mentally and physically. Everyone looks at my body, but I use my mind more than my arms.” - Mark McGwire
How is reiki used in sports?
Reiki in sports acts as a supportive training aid. By using physical training and practice, mental preparation, and reiki an athlete is equipped with more tools.
Athletes have reported that reiki has supported them in:
Boosting their overall performance
Improving their focus through centering their minds
Remaining calm
Reducing stress
Healing from injuries
Refueling their tank & re-energize
Reiki can help improve your motivation and productivity as an athlete. When worked in combination with an exercise program, it supercharges you. Meaning it assists in the process of healing to boost your performance.