HOW DOES PSYCHOLOGY INFLUENCE SPORTS?

HOW DOES PSYCHOLOGY INFLUENCE SPORTS?
Psychology in sport is key

We are not always aware of the importance of mental health in the different areas of personal and professional life. For this reason, we look with surprise at the public statements of Simone Biles and Naomi Osaka at the past Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games.

Indeed, and even more so when it comes to high-performance sports, psychology plays a key role in the good performance of the athlete. After all, in addition to being under a lot of pressure, athletes are still people just like most of us, with their problems and weaknesses.

In this sense, and also thanks to the maturity with which society currently views mental health, mental health professionals specialized in the sports world and the needs of the athlete are increasingly in demand.

 

SPORTS PSYCHOLOGY?

Sports psychology or sports psychology is another branch of psychology, specialized in the study and management of the behavior and conduct of a human being whose main focus is high-performance sports. That is, professional athletes.

His main field of study is the effect that sport as such has on human behavior before, during and after it. Thanks to this, a sports psychologist is able to guide the athlete in his search for general well-being.

Some of the most frequent enemies that this health professional faces are:

  • Panic attacks and nerves.
  • Continuous episodes or frequent periods of chronic stress.
  • Eating disorders.
  • Depression.

KEY FUNCTIONS OF THE SPORTS PSYCHOLOGIST

KEY FUNCTIONS OF THE SPORTS PSYCHOLOGIST

NEEDS ASSESSMENT

Many times professional athletes face performance problems not necessarily related to their physical condition. As a countermeasure, a sports psychologist applies cognitive-behavioral techniques to find out what needs must be covered so as not to interrupt their proper performance xnxx.

EMOTIONAL REGULATION

It is no secret to anyone that emotions are key in sport. Therefore, it is very common for professional athletes to have problems managing stress, anxiety and other negative emotions.

The job of the sports psychologist, in this case, is to provide the athlete with the necessary tools for the proper management of her emotions. In this way, he can ensure his mental health and stay focused on his discipline at the same time.

MENTALIZATION AND FOCUS

To reach the highest competitive levels, the athlete must undergo long periods of total focus on their discipline. In this sense, the sports psychologist helps to establish and be consistent in achieving well-defined goals. His function in this case, mostly, is to help maintain the rhythm despite the deterioration of motor functions due to inevitable aging.

Now that you know everything that an athlete can do with the correct psychological support, do you think that this figure can be as important as the coach of a high-performance athlete?

 

RESUME IN VIDEO

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What is Psychodrama?

psychodrama

Psychodrama is an experimental and action-based therapy in which participants explore issues by acting out events from the past. It is a detailed procedure that incorporates role-playing, dramatic self-representation, and group aspects to help people understand themselves better and gain insight into their experiences and lives. Although psychodrama functions as individual therapy, it utilizes the techniques used in a group format.

The procedure has deep roots in psychology, but it also incorporates sociology and theatre elements.

 

Photo of a Therapist Showing a Drawing to a Family

Group therapy sessions are usually held once every week in groups of 8 to 12 people. It is usually a two-hour gathering that offers an opportunity for individuals who have experienced similar issues and concerns, as well as those seeking guidance around thematically related problems like mental health or addiction recovery from substance abuse to share their porno experiences. Psychodrama works best when the participants are open and honest with one another.

The leader will often facilitate this by asking questions from all members to understand what may be going on in their life before starting any type of therapeutic session, allowing everyone to feel more comfortable from the beginning.

 

The Basic Components of Psychodrama

The three phases of a psychodrama session are:

  • The warm-up,
  • Action
  • Sharing

 

The warm-up phase starts with explaining how to act to ensure everyone’s safety during their time on stage or screen before they begin performing actions that lead them into different roles, such as alternating between characters. In the action phase, there can be scenes that have been planned beforehand, or it could happen spontaneously when one person does something unexpected. Subsequently, other participants will react appropriately according to what just happened.

The final stage of the process involves processing one’s thoughts and emotions and those of other people to reach insight. Participants are allowed to explain what is going through their minds at certain points to understand how others perceive things.

Psychodrama was helpful in a study on people with eating disorders. People who had conditions such as depression or anxiety showed significant improvement after participating in the drama therapy sessions for six weeks compared to those without any treatment at all. Gain insight into your personality through this form of interactive storytelling that allows you to control how characters speak and act based on scripts written by patients themselves.

 

Effectiveness of Psychodrama

The psychodrama concept has been used for centuries to help people work through their emotions and find solutions. One study shows that it can help adolescents who have experienced trauma improve their safety feelings, self-image, or coping skills. Another study has found that psychodrama can be used to treat eating disorders. It helps people with eating disorders integrate emotional/mental struggle with cognitive thoughts about food addiction or anorexia nervosa and behavioral patterns when stressed out.

Researchers have agreed that psychodrama is a valuable therapy for treating people struggling with anorexia or bulimia because it allows them to understand themselves better while learning to interact with others confidently. But it is worth noting that while the popularity of psychodrama has, in the recent past, risen drastically, there lacks sufficient research to demonstrate the impact it has. So, there is need for more research to determine the potential uses and benefits of psychodrama.