AFL & Mindfulness: Why Meditation Is Great For Aussie Rules Players
In recent years, mindfulness has stepped out from its roots in spirituality to become an imperative aspect of sporting performance. And, sure, when it comes to Aussie rules, it seemingly goes against the gruff and tough notion that is associated with the sport, but it can actually have some awesome benefits for players in training and on gameday.
Sitting down for 10 minutes of silent or guided meditation can do wonders for your footy focus and performance, especially when it comes to calming those anxious thoughts that could inhibit you come the opening bounce.
So, grab your foot ball afterpay, and focus on your game, as here is how sitting down for a spot of meditation will help you become the ultimate player:
- It calms the nerves
Footy players – and athletes in general – go through a range of emotions before a big contest. And, sure, we’re never going to tell you that it’s not important to pump yourself up before a big game, but taking a few minutes to sit silently and focus on your breathing is also a great way to condition your mind for when you head out onto the field.
Meditation helps calm any anxious thoughts you might have before a game. It helps slow your breathing which, in turn, helps you control your thoughts and focus and alleviate any doubt or pressure you put on yourself before the game starts. A clear mind is a mind that can focus on what is happening in that very moment – working towards the win – and it will help you forget those thoughts that might make you a bit shaky when the ball is bounced and the game underway.
- It improves your focus
It can be hard to focus in training. There are plenty of drills that are on the boring side but have to be done to achieve peak physical condition. Sure, there are times when you don’t want to do repetitive hand passing drills, but they are essential to becoming a top player and optimising your game.
Daily meditation can help improve your focus so that you don’t find your thoughts wandering during the more tedious training drills. They will help you focus on what has to be done in that very moment whilst ensuring you don’t go making any repeated mistakes that the coach views as a flaw in your playing ability!
- It’s good for your wellbeing
Even local level players experience a lot of pressure to perform. But this can be incredibly hard if you’re experiencing a lot of stress in your daily life. We’ve all experienced something outside of the game that has impeded on our ability to train or play properly but practicing mindfulness can help with alleviating that pressure and boosting your general wellbeing.
This is because mindfulness, namely meditation, helps slow the breath and heartbeat in a way that helps alleviate negative thoughts that could inhibit our playing ability. It’s a great way to bring you into the present moment and have you focus on the task at hand – performing at your peak and helping your team win the flag!
- It’s a great help come finals time
Finals time is full of pressure and players often become super nervous before they head into these ultimate contests. But calming your thoughts during this period is one of the best ways to ensure that you step out onto the field at finals time with a clear head and a focus on what you’re to do – win the granny!
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