Want to take your performance to the next level? Maybe it’s not about better equipment, a more experienced coach or longer hours in the gym…
What if it all comes down to a new mindset?
While rigorous training and physical conditioning are crucial, there's a powerful tool that many athletes overlook: mindfulness.
Mindfulness isn't just about stress relief or relaxation – it's a comprehensive approach to being fully present, enhancing your mental clarity, and living each moment to the fullest.
Curious how mindfulness could help you be a better athlete? From the calming practice of yoga to the focused energy of breathwork and meditation, let’s dive into mindfulness techniques and how they can help you transform your training, recovery and overall well-being.
Are you maximizing your rest days? Studies show that rest and restorative practices like yoga aren’t just good for your body – they can actually significantly improve your performance, resilience, and mental health.
Yoga is a titan among restorative practices due to its ability to enhance muscle recovery, flexibility, balance, strength, endurance, focus, emotional balance and much more all in an hour’s “work” (that feels like rest).
Check out our latest blog to get the full scoop on why yoga is an athlete’s best friend, which style is best for you and how to get started.
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Recover, Focus, Achieve
Mindfulness is a powerful tool for athletes, offering countless benefits from improved focus and reduced stress to sharper strategy and performance. But which mindfulness practices are best for athletes? Here are some ideas to get you started:
Sound baths use vibrational sound to help reduce stress and promote a sense of peace. Studies have shown that the frequencies can shift brainwave states from active beta to relaxed alpha and theta, promoting deep relaxation and clarity (without any work on your part!).
Also known as "yogic sleep," Yoga Nidra is a guided meditation practice that brings your body into a deep restful state. This practice can help athletes reduce stress, improve sleep quality and enhance mental clarity.
Controlled breathing exercises, such as box breathing or alternate nostril breathing, can calm the nervous system, enhance focus and reduce anxiety. These techniques are also great ways to improve lung capacity and endurance.
3 Points for Calming Clarity
A trip to your acupuncturist is sure to calm the mind and put you at ease. But, acupressure can be a great way to practice mindful self-care right at home. Here are three acupressure points that encourage mindfulness and mental peace for athletes…
Located between the eyebrows, in the area known as the "third eye."
Located on the wrist crease, in line with the pinky finger.
Located on the top of the foot, in the depression between the first and second toes.
Is staying up late sabotaging your training? Does performance anxiety always seem to sneak in at the wrong moment? Are life’s stressors keeping you from performing at your best?
Being an athlete – or even enjoying an active lifestyle – requires both physical and mental well-being. If stress, anxiety or burnout are keeping you from getting the peace you need to rest efficiently, an herbal formula like Plum Flower’s Serene Spirit Teapills can help.
This formula is designed to calm the mind, promote mental clarity and maintain emotional balance. Build these into your routine to maintain focus during training and relieve pesky performance anxiety.
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You may be mindful about what you eat, but are you mindful about how you cook? Mindfulness plays a huge role in the kitchen, and can transform a daily chore into a moment of reflection and relaxation.
Prepping your ingredients is a great place to start practicing mindfulness in the kitchen. And the Korean classic, bibimbap, is the perfect dish to try it out!
Bibimbap is a delicious rice dish served with many vibrant ingredients on top. Try mindfully slicing, chopping, and arranging your toppings – don’t rush this part, enjoy taking your time with it.
Nutritionally, bibimbap can also be a powerhouse meal for athletes. Choose toppings that are full of nutrients and protein, like 3-4 colorful vegetables, marinated beef, salmon or tofu and a fried egg.
Get inspired with Minimalist Baker’s Easy Bibimbap with Gochujang Sauce recipe!
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Kate Downes is a Chinese medicine practitioner (MSAOM, NCCAOM, Dipl.OM) and wellness writer. Through her educational content for Plum Dragon Herbs, Kate hopes to help others gain a better understanding of the wonders of Chinese herbal medicine so they can be empowered in their own quest for natural, vibrant health.
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