Lesson 4

• Stress

  • Stress is a feeling of being under abnormal pressure.
  • Pressure came from an increased workload, transitional period, etc.
• Illnesses Caused By Stress

  • Common symptoms include sleeping problems, sweating, or a change in appetite.
  • Symptoms are triggered by a rush of stress hormones (known as a fight or flight response).
• Ways to produce Endorphins

  • Meditation, acupuncture, massage, therapy, and breathing causes endorphins to release.
  • Conventional wisdom holds that a workout of low-moderate intensity makes you feel energized and healthy.
• Physical Activity

  • defined as any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that requires energy expenditure.
• Aerobic Fitness

  • usually includes moderate to vigorous activity that makes you feel a bit warm and causes your breathing and heart rate to increase.
• Strength and Balance

  • the forgotten component of physical activity, but it is an essential part and has many benefits.
• Skill

  • Most have high levels of cardiovascular fitness to allow for long hours of practice and play.
  • major advantage of competing in an individual sport is that the athlete can progress at his own pace to improve his skills.
• Critical Elements (Motivation)

  1. External Motivation - comes from someone else or involves gaining a reward.
  2. Intrinsic Motivation - means that the desire comes from within. This is a trait that many individual sports athletes possess.
• Different Types of Sports

  1. Individual Sports - sports that are played alone without teammates.
  2. Dual Sports - played by two people opposing each other; it develops teamwork and coordination.
  3. Team Sports - Individuals are organized into opposing teams that compete to win.
• Tips to Manage Stress

  • Exercise
  • Relaxing your muscles
  • Deep Breathing
  • Eat Well
  • Slow Down
  • Take a Break
  • Making time for Hobbies
  • Talking about your problems
  • Go easy on yourself
  • Eliminate your triggers