By Andrew Walker, MPH; NSGA Director of Health & Well-Being
Have you ever felt less stressed after a good sweat session? Physical activity can improve mental health and well-being, and we see this among the athletes who compete at the National Senior Games. The Sustained Athlete Fitness Exam (SAFE) run by Dr. Becca Jordre has found Senior Games participants show low levels of self-reported anxiety and depression.
Good mental well-being contributes to one’s quality of life, and developing mental skills such as mindfulness will increase your ability to achieve your personal best.
I previously introduced the cardinal mental performance skills developed by Autur Poczwardowki, PhD, for the Lakeshore Olympic and Paralympic Training Center. These key skills include productive self-talk, intensity (energy) regulation, impactful imagery, flexible mental plans and routines, and mindfulness.
An important skill to explore first is mindfulness.
Mindfulness
My participation in mindfulness-based stress management (MBSM) training for healthy living, coupled with several years of practice, allows me to affirm its benefits for health enhancement and well-being. The evidence for the effectiveness of MBSM is found in the work of Jon Kabat Zinn, Ph.D. Although Zinn is best known for treating patients with challenging medical conditions, he has applied his work to Olympic athletic performance.
Zinn describes mindfulness as “awareness that arises through paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgmentally.” MBSM is an important skill because it addresses challenges to optimal mental performance, including letting go of distractions, negative self-talk, critical self-analysis and not focusing on positive traits.
Key elements of MBSM are body awareness, being present in the moment, and observing and paying attention to the breath. These skills are developed and enhanced by exercises such as:
- Learning to follow one’s breath.
- Practicing observing one’s thoughts.
- Practicing the body scan.
To experience a brief overview of this practice with Dr. Zinn, please click here for a “Taste of Mindfulness Based Stress Management.” Like the Olympians and Paralympians we admire, you will find that learning to be more mindful will lead you on a journey to your best Senior Games.
