GET FIT & MEAN IT! with World Champion Kate Bramley

Mindfulness is the ability to be fully present in the moment and aware of what we are doing. It is a thought process which can help with anxiety and stress and prevent that feeling of being “overwhelmed”.

There are several different ways you can practice mindfulness – meditation, yoga, breathing exercises & progressive muscle relaxation. All of these require taking some “time out” of your day. I find the best time to do this is before going to bed to help me relax. Other times it may be useful is if you are in a stressful situation or out of your comfort zone.

As a coach, I see the panic as an athlete steps outside their comfort zone. A good way to deal with this is to get them to focus on their breathing – particularly the exhalation and/or one or two technique points of the exercise they are doing. This takes the focus away from the feeling of panic or being out of control to concentrating on their body & the present moment.

If you have been struggling with a particular type of exercise or simply pushing your limits a little more, try some mindfulness techniques to help reduce anxiety.