Sport performance anxiety is a common experience for athletes of all levels that can negatively impact their game and cause them to underperform. It can manifest itself in the form of physical symptoms such as increased heart rate, shortness of breath, nausea, and even muscle tension. Luckily, there are effective strategies that athletes can use to help manage their sports performance anxiety and get back to their peak performance.
The first step to managing sports performance anxiety is understanding the underlying causes. Identifying what triggers your anxious thoughts and feelings can help you better understand yourself and equip you with the tools to handle them effectively when they arise. Once you have identified what brings on your anxious feelings, it’s important to focus on positive thoughts instead, such as concentrating on specific skills or techniques related to your sport or simply reminding yourself of your accomplishments thus far.