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#MindfulnessMonday An Introduction to Mindfulness

Posted March 19, 2020 by Stephanie Donald

There are many ways an athlete can keep in peak physical condition- eating right, practicing regularly, and condition appropriately. But what often gets forgotten in training is the mental game. More than once athletes have struggled to let go of a bad play or their last loss. Letting go of the past and staying present in the moment is something that athletes of all ages and levels battle.

The mind, just like the rest of your body, can be trained. The benefits of mindfulness continue to be studied regularly and the results continue to be debated. However, some claim practicing mindfulness and meditation can help reduce distraction, battle anxiety, and improve stress response.

So what is mindfulness meditation? Many believe it’s sitting cross-legged on the floor with your eyes closed saying, “Om”. Really meditation is the practice of being able to control your thoughts and clear your mind. Imagine instead of letting doubt and negative self-talk in after a mistake, you have the ability to clear your mind, focus on the present, and never lose sight of your goals.

I’m no scientist but I do know the positive effects practicing mindfulness has had in my own life. I wanted to share an easy and quick five-minute guided meditation with you. Let us know if you like #MindfulnessMonday and if you’d like to see more!