3 common myths about mental training and what they really mean

Key Points:

Over the past decade, sports scientists began realizing that we are approaching the limits of improving athletes’ physical performance capabilities. Humans are jumping higher, running faster, and performing stronger than ever before. Physical training and technology are limited in pushing the performance yardsticks forward without breaking the rules or putting athletes at risk of injury.

More than ever, high-performers need to prioritize the brain to unlock more performance potential. However, athletes and coaches sometimes hesitate about mental training because it’s perceived to be relatively novel and complex.

Here are three of the most common misconceptions about mental training from our experience working at virtually all levels of sport in this field, along with evidence to help you better understand the value mental training can bring.

1. 1. Mental training is fluffy.
   2. Mental training is for people with problems.
   3. There is no time to do mental training.

#1 “Mental training is fluffy, I don’t see anyone doing it”

Research on mental training and sport psychology has escalated considerably over the past few decades. Yes, that’s right, decades. The findings from this branch of sport science conclusively indicate that mental training can significantly improve performance for athletes and performers of all ages and skill levels across all sports¹.

In fact, neuroscientists have recently discovered that the brain’s structure, like a muscle, changes with training (a concept scientists call neuroplasticity). Mental training works by effectively ‘re-wiring’ your brain, repetition by repetition. The more you train, the more it re-wires to help you perform better, achieve your goals and feel good doing it!

There is a reason the vast majority of major sport and performance organizations like the many national Olympic sport bodies, professional teams in the NHL, NFL and NBA, and others, and entertainment companies like Cirque du Soleil dedicate entire departments to mental training. It works!

Whether you are in an individual sport, team sport, professional, or just starting your sport or performance journey, mental Training can help you get there faster. For example, learn how Michael Gervais has been helping the Seatle Seahawks continuously play their best or how Veronique Richard is helping Cirque coaches use creativity to find performance solutions whether you are in an individual sport, team sport, professional, or just starting your sport or performance journey. Mental Training can help you get there faster.

#2 “Mental training is only for athletes with serious problems!”

There is a difference between someone using mental training for well-being or performance and someone experiencing mental health challenges or illness. These are not the same.

Mental illness is the presence of conditions that can change people’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviours to the point where they are unable to function in everyday life, like depression or anxiety. Mental well-being is someone’s attitude, feelings and actions toward coping with daily ups and downs.

Mental training is often used in a performance context but can also be holistically applied to daily life challenges and general mental well-being. Many regular people use mental training to enhance their lives. It facilitates the development of cognitive and emotional tools, skills, processes, and attitudes that help improve performance and facilitate growth. Everyone can benefit from mental training regardless of background, objectives, or context.

Mental training can be used while working on mental health challenges with a qualified professional. Those not functioning well or who think they are experiencing mental health challenges are encouraged to see appropriate mental health support from a qualified professional. Speaking to your family health professional or another trusted person about what you are experiencing is a great first step.

#3 “I don’t have time for mental training.”

Research shows that even just a few minutes a day of mental training can be enough to create changes in your brain and lead to improved performance. It can be simple and time-effective if the activity, objective, and context are clear.

With some planning and preparation, mental training can become a regular part of your routine. For example, the most time-effective way to integrate mental training is in-and-around practice time. That 5-10 minutes before/after practice, in the car, or even on a walk can be used for mental training.

Moreover, some types of mental training can be incorporated into training or activities already being done. For example, using breathing techniques during free throw practice for basketball training. Mental training while practicing sport or performance is the best way to translate that into improved performance.

Considering many professional athletes who balance multiple aspects of life can find time for their mental training, we think you can too. Even if you are in school for 12 hours a day, involved with 17 extra-curricular activities, and work 13 part-time jobs, finding 5-10 minutes a few days a week is possible.

“I want to begin my mental training. What’s next?”

1. Start now: The Traiwave app is ready to go, are you? Or else learn more about mental training here.
2. Ask questions: We learn best with guidance. Talk to a mental training professional to see where you can get started.
3. Decide what to focus on: We learn best when focusing on one skill/tool at a time and one that applies to what we need. Start with one activity per day.
4. Be deliberate: We learn fastest when we are engaged in what we do, no half trying! Focus on that one skill/tool. If you fail, simply begin again.
5. Work together: We learn best with others. A great way to improve your learning is by explaining what you are doing to others. Furthermore, you can stay accountable to those doing it with you.

Trainwave is an activity and game-based educational application for young athletes and their coaches, parents and clubs designed by mental performance experts and facilitated by the worlds best athletes. It’s designed to help young athletes and performers learn mental tools, techniques, skills and strategies that support their development of life skills and to help improve performance to lead a more fulfilling life.