Stress Management for Athletes - For Better Performance and Recovery

We all know how important it is to push ourselves to do better in sports. But did you know that too much stress can harm our athletic performance and recovery? Some stress can be good for us, motivating us and making us perform better. However, chronic stress can make us tired, unmotivated, and unable to perform well (Jäger et al., 2011). 

So, how can we handle stress to make our athletic performance and recovery even better? Here are some tips and tricks to help find the balance between good and bad stress: 

1. Try stress-management techniques every day. Mindfulness, exercise, and deep breathing can all help you handle stress and improve your athletic performance and recovery. 
2. Get enough sleep. Sleep is crucial for our athletic performance and recovery. Try to get 7-9 hours of sleep every night so your body and mind can recover from training and competition. 
3. Eat a balanced diet. Eating fruits, veggies, and lean protein can give you energy and help you recover. 
4. Talk to friends and family. Having people to support you can reduce stress and make you feel better overall. 
5. Set realistic goals and break down big tasks into smaller parts. This can help reduce stress and make you more motivated. 

We can be better athletes on and off the field by handling stress and taking care of ourselves. 

References: 

Jäger, R., Purpura, M., Shao, A., Inoue, T., & Kreider, R. B. (2011). Analysis of the efficacy, safety, and regulatory status of novel forms of creatine. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 8(1), 1-17.