How to deal with the stresses and anxieties of being a sports coach
BY STANLEY POPOVICH
Stress and anxiety are very common when you are a sports coach. As a result, here is a list of techniques that a coach can use to help manage their daily stresses and anxieties.
Sometimes, we get stressed when
everything happens all at once. When this happens, a person should take a deep breath and try to find something to do for a few minutes to get their mind off of the problem. A person could take a walk, listen to some music, read the newspaper or do an activity that will give them a fresh perspective on things. When facing a current or upcoming task
at your coaching job that overwhelms you with a lot of anxiety, divide the task into a series of smaller steps and then complete each of the smaller tasks one at a time. Completing these smaller tasks will make the stress more manageable and increases your chances of success. Challenge your negative thinking with
positive statements and realistic thinking. When encountering thoughts that make you fearful or depressed, challenge those thoughts by asking yourself questions that will maintain objectivity and common sense. For example, you are afraid that if you do not get so many wins you could lose your job. Well the fact of the matter is that you can’t win all the time and if something does happen, there are plenty of coaching jobs available in your particular sport. In dealing with your anxieties at your
coaching job, learn to take it one day at a time. While the consequences of a particular fear may seem real, there are usually other factors that cannot be anticipated and can affect the results of any situation. Get all of the facts of the situation and use them to your advantage. The more control you have over your
stresses and anxieties, the better off you will be in the long run. Take advantage of the
help that is available around you. If possible, talk to a professional who can help you manage your fears and anxieties. They will be able to provide you with additional advice and insights on how to deal with your current problem. By talking to a professional, a person will be helping themselves in the long run because they will become better able to deal with their problems in the future. Managing your fears and anxieties takes practice. The more you practice, the better you will become.
Do not let fear affect your game in sports
Sometimes, fear and anxiety can get the best of us in sports. The key is to know how to manage that fear and anxiety. As a result, here is a brief list of techniques that an athlete can use to help manage their fears and every day anxieties. Occasionally, you may become stressed when you have to play in an important round. When this happens, visualize yourself doing the task in your mind.
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For instance, you have to play in the championship golf game in front of a large group of people in the next few days. Before the big day comes, imagine yourself playing the game in your mind. Imagine that you are playing in front of a large audience. By playing the game in your mind, you will be better prepared to perform for real when the time comes. Self-Visualization is a great way to reduce the fear and stress of a coming situation. Sometimes we get stressed out when everything happens all at once. When
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