Sunday, September 17, 2023

Basketball: Everything Matters, Use Mindfulness and Mentors to Grow

Imagine a pebble tossed into a pond. It creates ripples. Lives are like that as we impact those around us.

Consider this improvement template you've seen:

  • Skill
  • Strategy (game understanding)
  • Physicality (strength and conditioning)
  • Psychology (resilience, mental toughness)
Now imagine a mental tool that can change both the hardware (brain structure) and software (brain and body function). If it exists, wouldn't you want to use it? 

Here's background information in my mindfulness slideshow. Teachers from Reading and Burlington have requested these slides for their curriculum. 

Virtually all serious professional and Olympic athletes use mindfulness.

First, let me list some benefits of mindfulness. 

1. Improves focus (in students as young as first grade)

2. Improves grades and standardized test scores.

3. Improves student behavior and teacher satisfaction. 

4. Increases brain density in learning and memory centers and reduces brain density in stress center (amygdala).

5. Lowers circulating stress hormones. 

6. Reduces anxiety and depression. 

7. Improves sleep. 

8. Lowers blood pressure. 

9. Reduces perceived pain. 

10.Improves athlete performance. 

Here's a quick summary of the classic, "Search Inside Yourself." I've read the book three times. 

How do you get started on something that takes TEN MINUTES a day? Download the UCLA Mindful app and choose a short mindfulness script.

Sit in a comfortable position, feet on the floor, hands on thighs, breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth and listen to the speaker. Literally clear your mind.

Increase the ripples created by your life. 

"Impossible is for the unwilling." - Keats

Lagniappe. Not sure how to feel about this one. Promote fewer dribbles while 'stacking' many. You can't have too much skill.  

Lagniappe 2. Everything matters.  

 

 

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