What Olympians have uncovered about mindfulness.

The Talk:

The Olympics brings us into conversation.  It’s not just the athletics, but also the reactions and the relationships and the stories. They are so super-human and yet so very, very human.

Which brings me to mindfulness.  I came across an article this week on how the mental strategies for Olympians has changed over the years. Coaches used to advise that their athletes zone-in in order to zone-out the chaotic emotions of competition.  But now coaches advise mindfulness.  Not tuning out the ups and downs, but being very present to them.  Not quieting the feelings, but acknowledging them and honoring them.  

For example, when explored and fully felt, anxiety and stress actually bring forth feelings of “intensity” and “electricity”.  These traditionally negative feelings can enhance an athlete’s performance if fully explored and fully felt. Another example is when an athlete fully reflects on their disappointment. Disappointment, when fully felt and reflected on, often grows into "authenticity" and “rootedness”.   

After viewing mindfulness and meditation this way, it makes sense why Olympians are seeing it as more advantageous than the outdated “just tune it out”.

Finding Present Meditation:  

Think back (or rewatch) an Olympic moment that moved you.  Keep your mind focussed on that moment and let your own emotions - as the viewer - flow. Just breathe and relive it and feel it.  Don’t worry about labeling the emotion.  What matters is that you are fully feeling it.  Feel it in your body.  Just focus on the emotion and let it flow, and breathe.  

When you are ready, open your eyes and end here.  Or, begin the mindfulness meditation.  

Mindfulness Meditation:   

Slowly let the image of this Olympic moment fade away, but keep fully feeling the emotion. Keep the feeling flowing in your body and in your mind.

As you sit with this feeling flowing around, you might notice a thought or an image or a memory arise.  Just notice it. Don’t try to label it. Just notice it until it fades.

Go back to that Olympic moment, fully feel it again, and once again let it fade away. As you sit with the emotion flowing, don’t be surprised if another thought or image or memory arises. Like before, just notice it until it fades and then reset back to the Olympic moment.

Closing Routine:

When you are ready, rub fingers together and take three cleansing breaths.  Or use any closing routine that works for you. 

Olympic Coaches Share Their Secrets for Boosting Mental Performance: Use these top strategies for resilience and focus in any situation.

https://www.menshealth.com/health/a70290193/olympians-mental-performance-secrets/