Our thoughts and feelings affect our behavior and our behavior affects our thoughts and feelings. Athletes beset by negative thoughts don't sustain high performance and poor performance can cause negative thoughts and feelings.
To a degree, we become what we believe. This brilliant scene from The Help illustrates.
What is it? Cognitive behavioral therapy, as the name suggests, is mind training. The benefits can include better self-esteem, less anxiety, and more goal-directed play. CBT is used as primary or add-on therapy for numerous psychological issues. Think of it as mental training to improve physical performance or sports psychology.
What are the mechanics?
CBT works by changing our mindset. "You can only be as good as you believe you are." Lauren Taylor writes, "CBT interventions aim to alter dysfunctional thoughts either directly via cognitive techniques or indirectly through behavioural techniques."
The specifics focus on:
- Positive self-talk
- Mental imagery
- Mindfulness
Mental practice uses the same brain pathways as physical practice. "Neuroimaging has shown that when using this technique imagined movements and the actual movements they replicate are completely equivalent in the sense they share the exact same neural circuitry."
Motivational self-talk is proven experimentally to increase vertical jumping.
Coaches and teaches have the power to elevate and to destroy. Choose wisely.
Lagniappe:
Lagniappe 2:Being positive doesn’t just make you better. It makes everyone around you better.— Jon Gordon (@JonGordon11) May 24, 2020
This older post examines this from different angles.
