Performing at Your Best
Performance is typically equated with
athletes, public speakers and entertainers.
In reality, every day of our lives, we are
performing. We perform at work, doing
what we love to do with a certain hobby, and even
how we perform socially in relationships.
62 MyClearwater
What is the secret to performing
at our best? There are
four components of top
performance:
Actual Training: This is a
given. For athletes, if we want
to improve strength, speed and
endurance, we have to train.
Our training has to be focused
and deliberate … and we have to
actually do it. When it comes to cross training outside
of our sport, we make sure it complements our primary
activity. If our performance is in front of other people,
we prepare mentally by staying calm, rehearsing our
material and even arriving early to fix issues that might
arise.
Gold Medal Fuel: If you want your phone to work, you
have to charge it. The same goes with our bodies. If we want
to perform at our best, mentally and physically, we have to
charge it with good, quality nutrition. Since all of us have
our own unique genetic makeup and specific
needs, let’s speak in generalities. The more
servings of fruits and vegetables (with more
veggies than fruit) you can incorporate
into your diet, the better. Eat food as
whole as possible, and stay away from
processed foods. Sugar is a culprit in
inflammation, which is correlated to
so many health issues, including heart
disease and cancer.
Rest and Sleep: Sleep is
a problem for a lot of
people. The majority
of society does not get
enough rest, leaving
us exhausted. Without
getting into all of the
major reasons we need
to sleep more, getting
enough sleep is essential
to good performance. The
National Sleep Foundation reports
that sleep deprivation increases the risk of fatigue, low
energy, hormone disruption and poor focus. Without
enough sleep, the brain and body do not completely
recharge.
Mental Health: Where is your head
before your performance? When
you are at work, or present
in your relationships, are
you actually “present” and
mentally and physically
prepared? Part of this
preparation is dealing
with the stress we have
in our lives. While we
cannot eliminate stress,
we can choose how we deal
with it and how we let it affect
our lives and our health. If stress
is wearing on you, it's going to affect your performance.
Practicing visualization exercises, meditation, mindfulness
or other similar mental exercises can do wonders for life
functioning and the ability to flourish.
If athletics is an area in which you wish to
perform, the city offers adult leagues and
has several co-sponsored youth sports
opportunities. For more information,
contact Clearwater’s athletics division
at 562-4700 or athletics@myclearwater.
com. Here's to some great performances
to everyone awaiting their big days!
Healthy Choices