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Dealing With Our New Reality...

Thursday, 04 June 2020 23:10

By Kristin Goett (triathlete.com)

A mental performance consultant shares cues that will help athletes stay focused and calm through these uncertain times.

No matter where in the world you’re reading this, it’s likely your training schedule, social interactions, and daily life have changed drastically thanks to the coronavirus pandemic. From pools closing to races being canceled, everyone is facing uncertainty and anxiety as it relates to training and racing. While making physical changes to training is a great place to start, it’s important not to neglect the mental toll this situation is taking. Dr. Jamie Shapiro, CMPC, of Sport & Performance Excellence Consultants in Denver, Colorado, offers up some mental skills for triathletes. Practice these during this dynamic time to maintain a sense of focus, calm, and connectedness....

Watch Your Words

First, Shapiro suggests rethinking the term “social distancing.”

“We are shifting the language from ‘social distancing’ to ‘physical distancing,’” says Shapiro. “We can still maintain social connections even while physically distancing.”

With that new phrasing in mind, try to reframe the current situation as one that encourages creativity—not stifles it.  READ MORE