Topic Exploration: Performance Anxiety and Its Connection to the Nervous System, as Discussed by Natalie Hummel
In the high-pressure world of competition, it's not uncommon for athletes to experience a counterproductive response from their nervous systems. This response, often triggered by feelings of shame, "not enoughness," and the fear of failure, can hinder performance, even if the athlete is unaware.
Enter Natalie Hummel, a high performance coach specializing in nervous system regulation. Hummel, who has been appointed for her expertise in this field, understands the unique stressors and emotional challenges athletes face, particularly in equestrian sports. In a recent discussion, she shared techniques for managing stress, enhancing nervous system regulation, and improving emotional control to boost performance and well-being in riders.
Understanding and managing the nervous system's response is key to improving performance in competition. Evolution plays a role in this increased nervousness, with our ancestors' fight-or-flight response being hardwired into our biology. However, this response, which includes the fight, flight, or freeze response, is not conducive to remembering a course or relaxing horses.
Hummel discussed three different nervous system states, with some making learning new things biologically impossible. She emphasized the importance of recognizing these states and taking steps to manage them, such as creating a sense of safety and expanding stress and pressure capacities.
The processing of uncomfortable emotions like fear, shame, or anger is also crucial. Overworking, perfectionism, and knowledge-seeking are identified as avoidance strategies that can hinder progress. Instead, Hummel encourages riders to confront these emotions head-on, to get back to a performance state.
The nervous system can help us in competition, but it requires work and information. Competition can occur in various settings, such as a show ring, a clinic, in front of peers, or riding a difficult horse. Recognizing ineffective coaching is also important, as it can exacerbate these nervous responses.
By understanding and managing the nervous system, athletes can improve their performance and well-being in competition. With Hummel's guidance, riders can learn to harness the power of their nervous systems, turning potential hindrances into strengths.
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