You’re an athlete who is struggling. The things you could do in your sleep now feel like a real challenge. You have been told, “just work harder”, but that’s only made you mess up even more, and now you’re even more frustrated. It creates a downward spiral of despair and grief. And now you don’t know where to go.
Why is this happening?
As if life isn’t stressful of the field, athletes also endure physical and mental stress on the field. Stressors can include, but are not limited to:
- Physical
o Rolled ankles
o Broken bones
o Concussions
o Other gruesome injuries
- Emotional
o Being humiliated by a coach, teammate, or parent
o Witnessing someone get hurt
When an athlete is stressed out, they could face:
- Tighter muscles
- Elevated heartrate
- Faster breathing
- Racing negative thoughts
o “What if it happens again?”
o “Why is it not working?”
- Negative self-talk
The reason why you’re struggling is because your body is under a lot of stress and it can’t take any more of it. It’s sending a message saying it needs help. In these situations, “working harder” can only make things worse. And it can lead to poor performances on the field. I know that because I went through it too.
A Personal Story
I had never considered that something that happened to me when I was in college would affect me many years later. If you didn’t know, I ran track and field when I was in college. As a distance runner, we had logbooks where we would write about our runs that we did that day. The next time at practice, my coach made me go into my logbook entry on the day of the race, and made me write down:
“I RAN LIKE A DUMB@SS.”
I then had to show that to everyone on the team. I was humiliated and, for the first time, a coach seriously hurt my feelings. After practice he apologized and let me erase what he forced me to write, but the damage was done. Over the years, I thought it was “old school coaching.” It’s not. Over the years, all of the previously mentioned symptoms were still happening to me. It wasn’t until I went and got help through Brainspotting that I started to not dread racing and felt more confident in my abilities.
Resolution
Brainspotting gave me my quality of life back in racing. I processed that memory with my coach and other workouts and races that did not go to plan. I now feel more confident when I step on the starting line. I was also no longer as hard on myself if a race or workout didn’t go to plan. The physical and mental torment that plagued me for years was no longer something that worried me. If you’re an athlete that feels stuck, Brainspotting can be the tool that can set you free.
In Review
- When an athlete’s performance drops, it’s because there is too much stress living in the athlete’s brain. Trying to push through it can only make things worse.
- An incident that happened many years ago can still affect how you perform today. I have first-hand experience.
- Brainspotting can help you process those memories so they don’t have to hurt anymore.
About the Author
Chris Burgenson is a licensed counselor in Maryland who is based in Frederick. Chris specializes in overcoming performance anxiety, improving confidence in athletes, and dealing with the pressures of being an athlete. Besides working with athletes, he also works with teens and adult clients who struggle with ADHD and anxiety. Need help with your mental health? Book a consultation by calling 240.330.4361.
