Sports and the Mind

It's More Than Just Game

Three Myths of Mindfulness

woman with glowing "third eye"

Awareness

Myth #1 : Mindfulness is about having NO thoughts

It is time to address the myths of mindfulness in relationship to performance.  Mindfulness, by definition, is about having the awareness to observe your thoughts.  This means taking the time to become acquainted with the thousands of thoughts you have every day. Mindfulness is the tool that helps you decide which thoughts to follow.  This is helpful for athletes when deci  thoughts that best support their performance. It is like knowing where to put your focus.

Athlete 3Myth #2: Mindfulness does not apply to sports

There is a myth that mindfulness for performance loosens the competitive nature of sport, but actually if it is applied with knowledge, it strengthens the competitive awareness.  In every competitive situation, there are two guiding emotions that fuel competition: threat and opportunity.  Threats occur when you feel frustration or anger about an outcome.  Opportunities occur when you instinctively know you have a mental edge on your opponent and you crank up the intensity. Mindfulness can highlight these moments and help you gain a competitive edge by understanding the need to redirect your mind or turn the heat up.

 

New Mindset New Results

New Mindset New Results

Myth #3: Mindfulness means you zone out

This is a common misconception. Mindfulness for sports is acceptance, awareness, action. We call these the 3As of mindfulness. Accept the moment for what it is. Having the awareness to do what is necessary in the moment, rather than letting your mind run wild with thoughts that are negative in nature. Finally, think of mindfulness as a gentle teacher guiding you to your next action.

“Mindfulness is not a special state you achieve through a trick or a technique.  It is a way of being.” -Jon Kabat-Zinn

 

 

Do you have any Myths of mindfulness that you would like to share?

Comment below, we would love too hear from our readers!

 

 

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About Colleen Hathaway, DC

Dr. Colleen Hathaway is a licensed chiropractor in the state of Wisconsin. Dr. Colleen is a native of Madison, WI and did her undergraduate work at the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota obtaining a B.S. in Corporate Fitness Science and Athletic Training. She played basketball for St. Thomas for four years and was the starting point guard on their 1991 NCAA Championship team.
Dr. Colleen completed her chiropractic degree at the Northwestern College of Chiropractic from 1993-1997. She has been in private practice for over 20 years and adores working with people of all walks of life. Her philosophy is grounded in the principles of wellness, balance, support and human performance. She utilizes gentle chiropractic and cranio-sacral techniques, including light touch energy work. Essentially, she works with the body’s innate wisdom by helping to remove blockages of the nerve system. Patient education and home exercise routines are an important part of most care plans. Dr. Colleen also refers and coordinate care with multiple practitioners (massage, medical doctors, etc.) in an effort to accommodate individual needs.
Dr. Colleen is active in numerous chiropractic ventures and her most notable experience was a humanitarian mission trip to Fortelaza, Brazil where she was able to provide chiropractic adjustments to hundreds of people. She is a member of SOTO, a Reiki Master and trained Cranio-sacral therapist through the Upledger Institute.
On a personal note, Dr. Colleen enjoys participating in the American Birkebeiner cross country ski race, rollerblading, hiking, yoga, golfing and all things nature. She was inducted into the Edgewood High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2013.

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