Using an endurance mindset to get through these challenging times

San Juan, Puerto Rico

As I write this, those of us in California (and the Western US.) are dealing with the impacts of multiple stressors – wildfires, polluted air, racial disparities, political stressors and whatever else we have going on personally.  To say that things have been overwhelming for most people is an understatement. Some of us who thrive on and get mental health and physical health benefits from outdoor exercise and exploration are now limited to staying indoors in order to protect our health. With all these new factors to contend with, it is easy to feel despair, doom or hopelessness.

But as we sit with all these issues, I’ve been thinking of ways that applying an endurance sports mindset to our current situation can be helpful. Those of us who have participated in any endurance sports are intimately aware of the mental and physical ups and downs that come with these sports. One of our best tools to deal with these challenges (and joys) are the ways we use our minds during training and races. Here are some applications that I think are helpful to apply to our current situation. 

 1.  Acceptance of pain and suffering

Sports

Running a marathon and triathlon is physically and mentally a huge challenge. During races we may often feel at the end of our rope. We may feel like quitting or wonder why we are torturing ourselves. We may have physical issues – falls, crashes, cramps or mental anguish from things not going the ways we planned. For all athletes one of the biggest lessons we learn the more we do these events is to expect pain and suffering to be part of the experience. We train for it and prepare for it and the more we sink into it, and stay focused on getting through one step at a time or one mile at  time the more we can work through it to get to the finish line successfully. 

Application to current stressors

We can use the same mindset as we accept the current realities we are facing. This would be similar to any other challenging life situation. Simply seeing what is, facing it with open eyes and figuring out what we need to keep moving forward. Usually mental anguish and stress comes from wishing things were different than they are. This doesn’t mean that there is no room to change things, but the first step is just accepting things and knowing that hopefully we’ve developed the tools during our lives to go through challenges. This may mean just focusing on what you are going to do to have a good day today. How will you exercise indoors or take care of whatever you need to take care of today? 

2.   Enjoying the joys and highs without attachment

Sports

As we race and train there are moments of pure joy, where we feel like nothing could stop us. Everything is perfectly aligned, we are one with nature and our bodies. It may feel easy and perfect and we may hope that this lasts forever. However, the most skilled athletes know that these feelings come and go and the more we can enjoy but not assume it will be like this forever, the better able we are to go with the flow of whatever comes our way. 

Application to current stressors

When you are feeling joy, peace, or like you are in a good space, enjoy it and experience it fully. Just know that life has its ups and downs. One doesn’t take away the other. Just like meditation, or sports or anything else, if we know that things are always changing, we may have better capacity to have joy and peace, even in the midst of some of the external stressors and sorrows we are facing as a community. Every day, pay attention to any happiness or contentment and be thankful for those moments. A short daily meditation or gratitude practice may be helpful for focusing in on this.

3.    Changing gears, adapting and taking action

Sports

When something goes wrong in our races – we get a flat during the bike portion of a triathlon, we cramp or crash or just lose steam and see our Boston goals vanishing, we adapt. This may mean problem-solving, setting a new goal for the rest of the race or trying to re-group and getting back on the saddle and chasing the goal.  Some of the biggest wins in sports and life have happened when there has been a major setback. 

Application to current stressors

Yes, 2020 has sucked in so many ways. Most of us wouldn’t have predicted all that we are facing as a nation and as a world. Many of our plans have been shelved, existing problems have blown up, lots of folks have died. So in the midst of this collective turmoil, we need to adapt and change gears. If we sit in helplessness nothing will change. It’s important to figure out what it means for you to change gears and adapt.  Some examples are: a) getting involved in politics and voting, inspiring others to vote and knowing what’s going on in your community b) donating money to causes you support and helping others in your community who are having a harder time c) learning what your role is and can be in helping improve our environment – do you know what policies are in place in CA. around fire management and the environment? If not, look it up and find one small way you can help with this d) doing indoor exercise even if you have always preferred being outdoors -work on strength, other cardio, yoga, stretching and giving yourself a break from your current sport e) getting involved in racial justice and equity causes f) going to therapy for the first time. There is research that shows that the more we help ourselves and others and get involved in our communities the better we feel. So this is a mental health strategy too, that has positive social impact. 

4.     Remaining hopeful 

Sports

When our races don’t go well, or when we question why we are doing this to ourselves, most of us usually still think, “Oh, next time may be better, I’ll just train differently or conditions may be different and in hindsight, that was great!” And we are back to the same sport, perfecting it, hoping for mastery or just simple enjoyment of being physical, being outdoors. Whether you are a professional athlete or not, you have to have hope for improvement, success, overcoming something and gaining whatever it is you want from these sports. 

Application to current stressors

When things are hard, hope is what gets us motivated to become involved in changing anything. Hope helps us go above and beyond just getting by. Sometimes we may need to just get by, but as a long term mental strategy finding ways to feel hope and engage in hopeful behavior actual leads to both personal and community change.  If we can engage with hope – we can work towards changing conditions that would minimize future pandemics, future wildfires, future political unrest, future suffering. If we want our lives to be better and to have better opportunities to enjoy life, we really need to come from this place so we can get back up no matter how many times we feel knocked down. The more we individually and collectively hope and see a better future the more likely we are to put the work in to create a better World. 

Dr. Cory Nyamora is a licensed psychologist and endurance sports coach. He is the founder and director of Endurance – A Sports & Psychology Center, Inc. He provides endurance coaching for beginner and experienced athletes, as well as psychological services to children, adults, and families. He provides trainings for organizations on topics related to the intersections of sports and mental health and overall wellness. Find out more at  www.endurancecenter.org  or call 510.981.1471.

tags: Endurance mindset and challenges, Wildlfires, Hope during challenging times, Mental strategies to cope, Mental strategies to thrive

Tuesday 09.15.20Posted by Cory Nyamora, Psy.D., Founder/Director1 Likes Share