TESTING AND SPORTS induced STRESS

What is Stress?

Stress is a normal reaction the body has when changes occur. It can respond to these changes physically, mentally, or emotionally and when any change may require adjustment or response.

Signs of Stress
- Dizziness or a general feeling of "being out of it."

- General aches and pains.

- Grinding teeth, clenched jaw.

- Headaches.

- Indigestion or acid reflux symptoms.…

Ways to control your stress:
- Keep a positive attitude.

- Accept that there are events that you cannot control.

- Be assertive instead of aggressive. Assert your feelings, opinions, or beliefs instead of becoming angry, defensive, or passive.

- Learn and practice relaxation techniques; try meditation, yoga, or tai-chi.
…

WHAT IS TESTING ANXIETY

• Type of performance due to the pressure of doing well in that specific situation
• Reasons for occurring: fear of failure, uncertainty of future, procrastination, etc.
• Causes of testing anxiety

Stress caused by testing:
- Symptoms such as nausea, sweating, and shaking hands can actually make people feel even more nervous, especially if they become preoccupied with test anxiety symptoms.
- After experiencing anxiety during one exam, students may become so fearful about it happening again that they actually become even more anxious during the next exam.

How can you deal and cope with Testing Anxiety?
- ask for help
- prepare and practice
- ask friends for stories
- challenge negative thoughts
- Practice self care and get good sleep
- take deep breaths
- avoid the trap of perfection
- Manage your anxiety one day at a time

Performance Anxiety
- typically beginner athletes are more affected than experienced athletes
- Athletes participating in individual sports are more likely to experience anxiety then team sports
- Higher levels of anxiety playing at the other teams home court
- signs include loose of eating and disturbed sleep pattern
- causes: pressure from parents and coaches, busy schedule, not actually wanting to play the sport

Ways to cope with Performance Anxiety
- have people there to support you
- reduce negative thoughts have "team spirit"
- muscle relaxation
-Visualization
- routines
- + all other options for normal anxiety

NATURE VS. NURTURE