By Andrew Walker, MPH; NSGA Director of Health & Well-Being
To compete well at the 2025 National Senior Games presented by Humana, you need to be both physically and mentally prepared. With The Games starting July 24, your foundational training phase should ideally be complete, and you may be aiming for a personal record. But peak performance doesn’t come from physical training alone. Success in any sport also depends on concentration, relaxation and deep focus.
Like Olympians and Paralympians, Senior Games athletes can benefit from brain-based performance training and mental well-being strategies.
We’ve all heard phrases like “keep your head in the game,” “stay in the moment,” or “focus on your play.” These are all ways of saying the same thing: be more mindful.
A Deeper Dive into Mindfulness
Sports psychologist Dr. Caroline Silby notes that mindfulness meditation can be especially helpful for athletes experiencing performance anxiety. During competition, minimizing distractions and staying present can make all the difference. Mindfulness strengthens your ability to focus and is one of the most effective tools for building mental resilience on game day.
Simple—but Requires Practice
Although mindfulness isn’t complicated, it does require regular practice. Expert Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn emphasizes that anyone can begin by simply noticing the present moment. Wherever you are right now, take a moment:
- What do you feel?
- What do you see?
- What do you hear?
Practicing this kind of awareness, again and again, lays the foundation.
Next, deepen the practice by focusing on your breath.
Notice how your body moves as you breathe in and out. Feel the air flow through your nose. Listen to your breath. Start with just five minutes of mindful breathing.
Learn More During an Athlete Enrichment Session
You can build on these skills during the National Senior Games in Iowa. I invite you to join me and U.S. Olympians at our athlete enrichment session, “Competition Tips from Olympians and Mindfulness Meditation,” on Wednesday, July 30, at 6:30 p.m. Learn practical strategies to sharpen your focus, manage stress, and enhance your performance on and off the field. View location and other details on the special events page.
