We are all aware that in order to become a successful athlete we need to maintain high levels of physical fitness. This is only part of the story if we are going to reach our full potential. According to research, sports performance has more to do with mental abilities than physical abilities. To many of us this may sound like a strange idea but thousands of sports people have recognised the power of their mental state having a positive effect on their sports performance. Hypnosis has been used for many years to help professional athletes enhance their natural ability and even the famous golfer Tiger Woods regularly uses hypnosis.
I have worked with golfers including one lady professional golfer based in the Midlands. She found great success as she was able to not only improve her ability on the golf course but reported a much greater feeling of control and contentment in life in general.
I have also worked with skiers who have felt that their progress has plateaued. Following a few sessions of hypnotherapy before going on holiday they not only experienced greater success but enjoyed the whole experience of skiing far more than ever before.
So…. How does it work?
Mind control in sport
Successful athletes are often able to control their state of mind so they have a psychological advantage which prevents them from underperforming or giving into their nerves. Hypnotherapy seeks to focus the athletes mind in a positive way to help them achieve their goals. Being able to control negative thoughts and emotions is the basis of sports psychology and can often be achieved through hypnosis.
Sports people often refer to being in the ‘zone’. This means that they get totally absorbed in what they are doing and barely notice outside distractions when performing at their best. Hypnosis can often help individuals access the ‘zone’ so that they can use this to enhance their performance.
How can hypnotherapy help with performance?
Hypnotherapy can often help with golf, skiing, football, cricket, boxing, darts, swimming, tennis and most other sports. Each of us whether currently successful or not, has internal resources. Accessing these inner resources and putting them to into action is often the advantage successful athletes have.