Watching the Olympics, we're all awed by the athletes' bodies -- the
perfect physiques of gods and goddesses. But one of their greatest
assets is something you can't see -- their mental stamina
"Athletes can get far on raw physical ability," says Robert E. Corb, PhD, a psychologist
and director of the Sports Psychology Program at UCLA. "But what
separates the truly elite from the rest is that they know how to use
their minds."
You can build up mental stamina with training, just like physical
strength, experts say. It also has many uses. "Mental stamina skills
aren't only for athletes," Corb says. They can help musicians, actors,
writers, or anyone who needs to perform, he tells WebMD.
How can you build up your mental stamina before your next race --
or presentation at work? Here are tips for Olympic athletes and office
workers alike
1. Think Positively
"
Self-confidence is probably the most important mental characteristic
that athletes need," says Corb. Self-confidence doesn't just stem from
physical ability. We've all seen highly-skilled athletes who lose their
self-confidence and fall apart.
How do you get more self-confidence? Corb urges people to listen
to what they're saying to themselves -- maybe not even consciously. "If
you keep saying, 'I'll never be able to do this,' before a marathon,
then you won't be able to do it," says Corb. "If you say something
enough to yourself, you'll make it true."
Corb stresses that building self-confidence is a mental exercise
that you can practice. Listen to what you're saying about yourself. If
what you hear is negative, correct it. Consciously think more positive
thoughts.
In time, interrupting negative thoughts and replacing them with
positive ones will have a real effect on your athletic performance --
and overall outlook, Corb says
2. Use Visualization
Visualization is a common technique for handling stress.
When you're overwhelmed, imagining yourself in a calm, soothing place
for a few minutes can help you manage the stress. Athletes use it in
other ways.
"Some athletes use visualization right before a game to practice
mentally," says David Geier, MD, an orthopaedic surgeon and director of
Sports Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina. A
basketball player might close his eyes
and think about what a free throw will look like. A sprinter might
imagine the gun going off and the first few steps. Visualization can
give you a mental space to rehearse.
Corb suggests another type of visualization. "I tell people to
visualize past achievements," he says. "It's almost like a highlight
reel that you play back in your mind. Focus on times you felt really
good, and remember that feeling." It can give you a real boost, he says
3. Plan for Setbacks
If you're a marathon runner, there are times when you'll hit the wall.
If you're a golfer, you'll make a bad shot sometimes. These things
happen. What really matters is what you do afterwards
3 Tips for Building Mental Stamina