Tips For Managing Anxiety

Relax one muscle group at a time. Inhale deeply and tense the muscle group. Hold for a few seconds and slowly exhale, visualising the muscles relaxing.

Continue until you experience a feeling of calm relaxation.

Eat well, spend time with friends and family, listen to music, do the things that bring you joy.

Stay hydrated and eat nutritious snacks during your sports activities.

Before your sporting event, identify any object and focus on this. Focus on every aspect, the size, texture, colour, smell.

As your thoughts wander, gently bring them back to the object and notice how calm you are feeling as your mind is diverted away from your fears.

Observe your thoughts and guide these to think of positive words e.g:

“I am calm”

“I believe in myself and my abilities”

“Today I am going to be awesome”

“No matter what happens, I will be OK”

“I am going focus on what I can do”

“Focussing on my strengths will get me further than only thinking about my weaknesses”

“I can control what I am doing now, my focus now will benefit my future”

Imagine yourself successfully competing at a sporting event.