A fascinating study about swimming performance shared the following – The findings showed that there was no difference between the two groups on the intensity of cognitive and somatic anxiety symptoms, but that elite performers interpreted both anxiety states as being more facilitative to performance than the non-elite performers.
In effect, all swimmers felt the same amount of stress before a race. Non-elite swimmers labeled it as anxiety and tried to get rid of it. Elite swimmers, on the other hand, labeled it as part of the sport and saw it as a sign that their body was getting ready to perform.
It doesn’t get easier.
We just learn to be better.
