Stress & it's impact on your performance

Whilst a little bit of stress/anxiety keeps us going forward, too much can have profound effects on the body.  Stress is a little complicated.  There are physiological and psychological factors which can be affected by an individual's personality traits.  When we are exposed to stress in the short term, the body can recuperate relatively quickly.  The small amount of damage created can be repaired fairly rapidly.  Long term stress has a more profound effect, as the body does not get the chance to recover and neutralise the effects.

 

Possible effects of stress on an athlete:

• Increased muscle tension

• Strenuous exercise may result in strains to your tense muscles

• Spasm and pain in muscles that cannot tense and relax effectively

• Headaches

• Jaw ache

• Knots in the upper back/shoulders

• Inflammation of tendons because of pressure created by tight ungiving muscle (tendinitis)

• Deterioration in muscle strength

• Deterioration in health

• Deterioration in conditioning

• Cramps/spasms due to muscles being pushed beyond physical limits

• Overactive nervous system which compromises ability to rest

• Inability to sleep and recharge

• Appetite changes

• Release of cholesterol in to the blood stream

• Elevated blood pressure and heart rate

• Chest pain

• Poor breathing

• Greater predisposition to injuries in general

 

Stress and athletic performance

 

Exercise does counteract the effects of stress.  However, when stress levels are high over a prolonged period of time, extra measures need to be taken.  Individuals need to find what works for them.  It is important to bring balance in to one's life.  There should be time to relax, do the things that you enjoy doing, look after your body, eat nutritious foods, get the rest you need, get enough good quality sleep, fulfil your spiritual and emotional needs and to get help when necessary.  You may even need to make lifestyle changes.

 

Look after yourself - it's YOUR duty to do so.  Remember that if you want to push your body to extremes then you need to set up the correct internal and external environment for the magic to happen.

 

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It's bye for now from me, your dedicated Sports Massage Therapist