Building Mental Resilience: Day 6 of 21 and the Power of Sports Apps
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Chapter 1: The Journey of Meditation
Meditation is an incredible practice I've been engaged in this year, reaching up to 20 minutes daily using the Headspace app. Recently, I ventured to a nearby park that evokes the imagery from Victor Hugo's Les Misérables, where Cosette and Marius first crossed paths. This charming park, with its delightful hummingbird that visits each morning, feels like a small blessing from the universe. During these quiet moments, my usual worries seem to dissipate, floating away like clouds in the sky of my mind.
In today's discussion, I aim to 'unplan' my week while also tackling the Mental Training exercise from Wahoo. The notion of 'unplanning' stems from our relentless pursuit of productivity and self-improvement in today's society. What if we are already enough as we are? What if embracing our current state can lead to improvement without the constant pressure to perform? Since 2008, I've been on a quest: moving to San Diego, finding a worthy partner, securing a job, and climbing the corporate ladder. All this striving often overshadows the importance of simply being present and appreciating life as it unfolds.
Here’s my schedule for the upcoming week, aside from writing and my job:
- Sunday: 40 minutes of relaxation. Clean.
- Monday: Cycling with friends.
- Tuesday: Swimming and training for a 10K.
- Wednesday: Cycling, weight training, leading a run club.
- Thursday: Swimming and 10K training.
- Friday: Cycling, weight training, and home cleaning.
- Saturday: 7 AM 10K training.
To enhance my sleep and nutrition, I plan to:
- Use the Rise Sleep app and prepare for bed an hour in advance.
- Track my food intake to optimize nutrients.
Section 1.1: Understanding Cognitive Distortions
Let’s be clear: I am not a psychologist, but I’ve come across some intriguing insights into cognitive distortions that resonate with me. This week, I listened to a compelling podcast by Meg McCabe discussing various types of cognitive distortions, as defined by the American Psychological Association. These distortions often lead to faulty thinking and perceptions, typically fueled by negativity.
Meg outlines three significant categories of cognitive distortions that I found particularly enlightening:
- Black and White Thinking: Seeing situations as success or failure without recognizing the gray areas. For instance, I often think that if I don’t complete my training, I’m doomed to regress.
- Mind Reading: Assuming we know what others think without confirming it. I often assume a friend isn’t interested in collaborating because they haven’t communicated, neglecting the fact that external factors may be at play.
- Catastrophizing: Expecting the worst possible outcome due to self-doubt. I find myself dreading tough conversations, believing they will end poorly before even having them.
How can sports help us navigate these distortions?
Today marks the start of the Wahoo Systm guided Mental Toughness training! If you're interested, you can catch up below or download the Wahoo Systm app on Apple or Android.
Chapter 2: The Meaning of Competition
Today's session is titled "Relaxing to Recover." I just completed the exercise, which involved a sequence of tightening and relaxing muscles, visualizing myself at the peak of my personal mountain.
For me, this mountain symbolizes consistency in training and finishing workouts with friends. For the first time, I feel content with who I am today, acknowledging that while I continue to strive for improvement, my focus can also be on simply being present. This realization contrasts with the typical mindset of aiming for peak performance in races or on fitness apps.
Reflecting on my past experiences, including completing an Ironman, I've come to recognize that the pursuit of achievements often comes at the expense of time with loved ones and personal well-being.
In this process, I’ve learned that we often chase accolades or resist them due to our thought patterns. Many of us are waiting for a moment to feel fully alive, yet we might be overlooking the beauty of the present.
If any of this resonates with you, know that you're not alone. Whether you’ve completed multiple Ironmans or just started jogging, your journey is valid.
Sports provide a powerful metaphor for overcoming life's challenges and becoming our best selves. Whether you enjoy running, push-ups, or any other activity, the key is to find joy in the process.
A great resource for beginners is the Nike Run Club app, which encourages a slower, more enjoyable approach to running.
As the coach in that app says, “This is about running. This is not just about running.”
Good luck on your journey!