By: Stan Popovich
At times, our worries
and anxieties can overwhelm us. In addition, our worries can
distort our perception of our bowling. Here is a brief list
of techniques that a bowler can use to help gain a better
perspective on things during their stressful moments.
When feeling anxious, stop what you are doing
and try to do something relaxing. A person should take a
deep breath and try to find something to do for a few
minutes to get their mind off of the problem. A person could
get some fresh air, listen to some music, or do an activity
that will give them a fresh perspective on things.
Remember that our fearful thoughts are
exaggerated and can make the problem worse. A good way to
manage your worry is to challenge your negative thinking
with positive statements and realistic thinking. When
encountering thoughts that make your fearful or anxious,
challenge those thoughts by asking yourself questions that
will maintain objectivity and common sense.
When overwhelmed with worry, a person may
encounter a lot of scary thoughts coming at them all at
once. Instead of getting upset, remember that these thoughts
are exaggerated and are not based on reality. From my
interviews with various professionals, I've learned that
usually it is the fear behind the thoughts that gets us
worked up. Ignore the fear behind these thoughts and your
worry should decrease.
Be smart in how you deal with your fears and
anxieties. Do not try to tackle everything all at once. When
facing a current or upcoming task that overwhelms you with a
lot of anxiety, break the task into a series of smaller
steps. Completing these smaller tasks one at a time will
make the stress more manageable and increases your chances
of success.
Remember that all the worrying in the world
will not change anything. Most of what we worry about never
comes true. Instead of worrying about something that
probably won't happen, concentrate on what you are able to
do.
In every anxiety-related situation you
experience, begin to learn what works, what doesn't work,
and what you need to improve on in managing your fears and
anxieties. For instance, you have a lot of anxiety and you
decide to take a walk before your next bowling match to help
you feel better. The next time you feel anxious you can
remind yourself that you got through it the last time by
taking a walk. This will give you the confidence to manage
your anxiety the next time around.
It is not easy to deal with all of our fears
and worries. When your fears and anxieties have the best of
you, try to calm down and then get the facts of the
situation. The key is to take it slow. All you can do is to
do your best each day, hope for the best, and when something
does happen, take it in stride. Take it one step at a time
and things will work out.
BIOGRAPHY:
Stan Popovich is the
author of "A Layman's Guide to Managing Fear Using
Psychology, Christianity and Non Resistant Methods" - an
easy to read book that presents a general overview of
techniques that are effective in managing persistent fears
and anxieties. For additional information go to:
http://www.managingfear.com/
