What are Rituals/Habits for an athlete?
It may be defined as a belief in an act or behavior that may positively influence the performance of an athlete.
Habits are good for athletes because it takes away the mental fatigue of having to concentrate on other events outside of your sport. Having a habit or daily ritual allows you to perform this task without much thought and that allows you to focus on the mental and physical part of your game.
Failing to complete your ritual could lead to mental anxiety that could prevent you from playing your best.
Why do rituals work?
Good rituals/habits positively influence a player’s performance by giving them something to focus on while allowing them to go about their day without the added pressure of forgetting to complete a task.
Why is it important to have Rituals/Habits as an athlete?
Some of the major reasons why rituals/habits are great for athletes are as follows:
· They act as trigger points to put an athlete into “game mode”.
· They help athletes to feel a sense of control due to a decreased level of stress and anxiety.
· They allow athletes to properly fuel their bodies and clear their minds.
· They provide a mental and physical edge because their focus is solely on the game.
What are some popular examples of good Rituals/Habits that athletes exhibit?
· Athletes sometimes use the imagery in terms of visualizing positive performance. This helps them to gain positive energy and perform better.
· Most athletes have a pattern that they use like wearing different colored socks that allows them to play relaxed and have fun while playing the game that they love.
· Some athletes like to eat, sleep, or exercise a certain way that allows them to get into “the zone”..