Sports Advice 

Sports Advice

By Grace Ippolito

Have you ever been about to play a game - weather it be a sports game or a video game, and got this rush in your body? That’s adrenaline! An adrenaline rush can feel like anxiousness, nervousness, or pure excitement as your body and mind are preparing for an event. There are certain activities like skydiving and bungee jumping that give you an adrenaline rush. Competitions in athletic sports can also give you this rush of epinephrine. 

Feeling nervous before a performance is natural - and part of your body's way of helping you do your best. The "stress hormones" (like adrenaline) that your body produces at times like these can actually help you focus. Therefore, the release of adrenaline helps increase your mental and physical concentration. It can also heighten your abilities, making you feel invincible. This process is meant to help you overcome the situation that is causing you extreme stress. Although your body has some natural remedies to control your jitters and emotions, there are also some physical ones that could help you too.

First, we have aerobic exercise. Exercise reduces levels of the body’s stress hormones, such as adrenaline or epinephrine. It also stimulates the production of endorphins, chemicals in the brain that are the body’s natural painkillers and mood elevators.  

Next, yoga or stretching exercises. Doing some yoga or stretching can help provide a distraction from the stimulus. By doing so, this may also relieve stress and anxiety. 

Moving on, getting some fresh air and space can help control an adrenaline rush. Taking a walk around the block or stepping outside could help. Choosing and repeating one word that is calming can distract from the body’s reaction to adrenaline. 

Then, we have listening to music. Music has the ability to increase motivation, which can lead to an improved performance. Upbeat and fast-paced music can stimulate the release of adrenaline and increase heart rate, helping athletes feel energized and ready to perform at their best.  

Lastly, try guided meditation. Meditation can give you a sense of calm, You also can use it to relax and cope with stress by focusing on something that calms you. Meditation can help you learn to stay centered and keep inner peace and balance which can benefit your emotional well-being and your overall health.     

These are a few ways that can help with anxiousness before a game, but everyone is different. Some things work for you, and some don’t. We hope this helped you, and you can always reach out to us if you’d like us to write about a different topic.

I hope this helps! Let me know if you'd like more! - Grace