Introduction:

• Your maximum performance is limited by your physical condition but good mental preparation will help you achieve that maximum performance.
• The more focused you remain on what you are doing, the more effective you will be.
• Fast recovery can be aided by certain relaxation techniques.
• When times are hard (owing to fatigue, injuries or illness, etc.), good mental strength will help you remain sure of yourself.

Various methods:

• There are a great many different techniques of mental preparation. Here are just a few:
  

Visualisation:

• This technique entails imagining yourself in a given situation.
• You can use visualisation to improve your technique. You simply imagine yourself performing a movement perfectly and, gradually, your technical imperfections will disappear.
• Visualisation will also help improve your self-confidence before a competition. In this case, you have to visualise a positive race scenario.

Positivism:

• This technique consists in focusing on the positive aspects of each event in your life.
• Through positivism, you can tackle any situation and overcome any obstacle, while becoming stronger every time.

Goals:

• Set yourself realistic and measurable goals. Write down these goals somewhere so that you can regularly refer to them and check whether you have achieved them.
• Choose short, medium and long-term goals.
• The aim of these goals is to remain focused and motivated on what you want to achieve.
• When you achieve your goals, you increase your self-confidence.

Self-hypnosis:

• This technique consists in putting yourself into a state of extreme relaxation so that you can use all the above-mentioned techniques more effectively.
• When you are in a state of hypnosis, your body is relaxed and you recover more quickly.
• One way of going into a state of hypnosis is to sit comfortably in a quiet place and follow these three steps:
• 1. Raise your eyes as high as possible without moving your head. Stay in this position.
• 2. Breathe deeply and then hold your breath. At the same time, close your eyelids while keeping your eyes turned upwards.
• 3. Allow your eyes to move down into a more comfortable position. At the same time, release your breath. Then, breathe normally and try to feel as light and relaxed as possible.

Conclusion:

• If your are strong in your mind, you become strong in your body.