When it comes to preparing for any big moment in life, whether that be a tournament, important presentation, or any other occasion that requires a high level of focus, many individuals rarely consider how playing sports can help to boost one’s mentality to help them succeed in achieving their goals.
Scientifically speaking, we all know that exercise can be very helpful in the production of endorphins in the brain, our body’s natural stress and pain relievers. And generally speaking, doing something that makes you feel physically and mentally good is one of the best ways to distract yourself from worries and stresses.
Similar to the tale of The Tortoise and the Hare, we have all likely seen the underdog take the win — not necessarily due to the underdog’s athletic ability, but more so due to his positive mentality that was able to keep him composed and focused throughout the event. Tennis, in particular, is a sport that naturally places a high focus on developing mental toughness and offers many psychological advantages to those who play it, enriching experiences both on the court and off. Due to a unique scoring system, the game of tennis offers many repeat opportunities for players, helping to keep the mind in an optimistic state. As a result, there are many ways players can approach playing the game and still enjoy the mental benefits that come with it.
Improved Mental Functioning
“Champions keep playing until they get it right.” — Billie Jean King
Though it’s unlikely that playing tennis will guarantee you admission to a prestigious school or raise your IQ, the mental edge developed as a result will certainly improve decision-making, which can also be transferred to other situations of daily life. In addition to the obvious benefits that come with exercising, several studies have successfully demonstrated how sports like tennis are directly associated with improved memory and academic performance, as well as better self-awareness.
The cells that are responsible for transmitting information between our brains and to different parts of our bodies are called neurons. In order to send these messages throughout the body, there must be an efficient connection between these neurons, and the better the connection is, the quicker the information is received and carried out by the body.
As mentioned before, tennis is a unique game that offers repeatable opportunities. As a result, this kind of environment can directly affect the neural connections between our mind and body. When we repeat an action over and over again, the neural connection associated with that specific action becomes stronger and more in your control. The same can be said about trying something new or doing it in a new way, developing new neural connections as a result.
Tennis naturally requires players’ brains to be creative, tactical, agile, and well-coordinated. Furthermore, in addition to helping to develop new neurons and improve neural connections, playing tennis has also been proven to improve memory, increase learning ability, boost social skills, and even improve mental behavior.
Improved Mental Behavior
“Of course I want to be number one. But being happy and healthy is the most important thing.” — Venus Williams
(Image: http://tisque.com/blog/images/articles/316/Venus-Williams-French-Ope-001.jpg)
Just like companies invest in their employees’ health by offering a range of wellness programs to increase their overall productivity and satisfaction, getting into sports can boost your behavior in many ways and areas of life. In fact, reports have shown that employees who participate in sports like tennis can improve self-control, decrease absenteeism, boost work efficiency, reduce work errors, and increase overall functioning. In addition, the physical activity alone from practicing tennis can help to:
- Regulate serotonin levels: Serotonin is a chemical in the brain that is directly linked to important functions, including the sleep-wake cycle, appetite, and libido. Simply put, the more balanced your serotonin levels are in the brain, the better your mood will be.
- Improve alertness: It’s no secret that stress and fatigue can negatively affect concentration and memory. By playing tennis, these feelings can be countered and even help boost memory.
- Enhanced self-esteem: Positive change starts with positive thinking. With regular physical activity from playing tennis, this can lead to improving the way you perceive yourself, giving you more confidence as an individual in return.
Improved Focus
“As a tennis player you can win and you can lose, and you have to be ready for both.” — Rafa Nadal
In any situation in life, there will always be a way to win and a way to lose. But if you’re committed to winning, you also need to be very versatile. Take Rafa Nadal, for example; a 14-time Grand Slam winner and one of the world’s greatest tennis players. A master of versatility, when Nadal isn’t acing his opponents on the courts, he’s focusing on his opponents on the felt as a PokerStars SportStar.
In tennis, matches can last anywhere from an hour to several hours, requiring players to be able to maintain a high level of focus for long periods of time, a trait Nadal brings everywhere with him, especially to the poker tables. Whether he is on the courts or on the felt, he always understands what is at stake. Being able to master the focus cycle will allow you to keep calm and composed as your game or work day progresses.
Get a Winning Attitude
“Competing or just for fun, whatever, simply enjoy and try your best.” — Rafa Nadal
Regardless of what your day job is, it’s important to always go in with a winning attitude. Whether you’re aiming to get a promotion or are even dreaming of becoming a champion like Rafa Nadal; if you’re not in it to win it, then your performance will likely reflect how you feel.
Adversity will occur in just about every situation you encounter in your life, but it’s how you choose to handle it that will determine whether you fail or succeed. Continue playing with a positive attitude, point-by-point, day by day.
