How To Deal With The Stress Of Competition
Competition can be both a motivating and challenging experience. While some people thrive under competitive pressure, others may feel anxious or stressed out. Even athletes at the very top of our sport suffer from competition based anxiety. Those feelings on top of the adrenaline and other mental hurdles that come with competition can make for a discouraging mix. Here are some tips on how to deal with the mental struggle of competition:
- Focus on yourself: Instead of comparing yourself to others, focus on your own progress and improvements. Set goals for yourself and work towards achieving them.
- Use competition as motivation: Competition can be a great motivator to push yourself to do better. Use the pressure of competition to fuel your efforts and drive.
- Recognize your strengths and weaknesses: Knowing your strengths and weaknesses can help you identify areas where you need to improve and areas where you excel. Focus on your strengths to build your confidence, and work on your weaknesses to improve your skills.
- Practice mindfulness: When you feel overwhelmed, take a break and practice mindfulness techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or yoga. This can help you calm your mind and focus on the present moment.
- Talk to someone: Don’t be afraid to reach out to a friend, family member, or mental health professional for support. Talking about your struggles with competition can help you gain perspective and find ways to cope.
Remember, competition is a natural part of life, and it can help you grow and achieve your goals. By focusing on your own progress, using competition as motivation, recognizing your strengths and weaknesses, practicing mindfulness, and talking to someone when you need support, you can learn to manage the mental struggle of competition.
