Managing Emotion Swings

In high-performance environments wins and losses often hang on the finest of threads, so mastering the emotional roller coaster becomes a necessity. When constantly confronted with intense pressures and adversities, we discover that the key to sustained success lies in the art of mastering our reactions to the emotional turmoil triggered in these environments. Specifically, the psychological skill process of allowing emotions to arise, be experienced, and then finally dissolve emerges as a crucial practice. This approach builds balance, resilience, and sharpens our focus when the stakes are high. 

Here's specifics into how all of us can navigate this emotional journey:

The Performance Wave:

Like the rhythmic patterns of the ocean, high-intensity environments present waves of emotion—intense flashes of pressure, unexpected setbacks, and triumphant moments. Visualizing these waves, approaching and receding, we can become adept surfers, skillfully riding the emotional ups and downs. This step is about allowing for the experience (even the challenging things we feel) without judging them.

Understanding Impermanence:

This is the concept that all things—thoughts, emotions, experiences, physical objects, and even life itself—are in a constant state of change and cannot remain the same indefinitely. From a psychological perspective, accepting impermanence can promote resilience and mindfulness, encouraging individuals to focus on the present and adapt to life's changes rather than resist them.

Impermanence in Performance: 

Every game has its highs and lows. Bottom line is that intense emotions in sports will fluctuate. The way to allow these high and low emotions to dissolve is about letting go of the judgment—the reality is that emotions are neither good nor bad. They are just signals. The missed shot, the change in momentum, the roar of the crowd—these moments may be intense, but they are impermanent – they too shall pass. Athletes who can understand and practice the concept of impermanence find the grip of intense emotions subtly begin to loosen. This leads to greater balance, reducing the impact of the extreme highs and lows.

How We Build Emotional Resilience, Balance, and Focus:

Sports demand emotional resilience. Allowing emotions to come and go is a powerful method of promoting this resilience. It's not about avoiding emotional waves but riding them with strength. Becoming comfortable with the ebb and flow of emotions helps us maintain stability in the face of challenges. By not fighting against the emotional waves, we find steadiness, leading to the ability to respond to the moment. 

The big coaching point:

The arena is not just a physical space; it's an emotionally frenzied one. Mastering the art of allowing emotions to arise, be experienced, and then melt away is a transformative skill practiced through consistent and proactive mental reps. We recommend using the DoSo app for training this skill. 

Athletes who embrace this practice find themselves equipped with the keys to balance, resilience, and focus. In sports, where challenging thoughts and emotions can be as unpredictable as the game itself, this mastery becomes a grounding practice for a powerful strength and a deepening of self-awareness.

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Stuart Singer, M.Ed., and PsyD is the Director of WellPerformance, a Mental Performance Coaching and Consulting practice, and the creator of the DoSo app https://t.co/R61vbpda4X . For more information regarding this topic, he can be contacted at ssinger@wellperformancecoach.com or follow him on X: @wellperformance, or Instagram: @wellperformance