Welcome to Mental Moments with Dr. Megan! This new section will share quick information and tips for various mental performance topics and issues each month. To get us started, two FSU sport psychology students break down the importance of emotion regulation and how you can better manage your emotions to maintain composure during competition. 

Dr. Megan Buning, CMPC, is a faculty member within FSU COACH and a Certified Mental Performance Consultant through the Association of Applied Sport Psychology. 

Tips for Maintaining Composure for Optimal Performance

Ruhi Dholakia: M.S. (2024), B.A., RYT, CPT 
ruhi.dholakia@gmail.com

Emma R. Smith: M.S. (2024), B.S., CPT
emsraefit@gmail.com

Link to optional handout: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cnyeusB87BmwoR21hBX4vBtSXE5FgAFK/view?usp=sharing 

Performance Coaching and playing sports can be filled with emotions. To perform well, coaches and players must learn to manage their emotions and cope with stress. Emotion regulation involves effectively monitoring and controlling one’s emotional state. Our emotions are important to learn about and control because they can alter our physical and attentional state to enhance or harm the performance of both coaches and players. Learning how to maintain your composure should start at the top of the food chain with the coach, because players learn about the norms and rules of their sport by what their coaches do.

When you feel big emotions starting to take over your behavior, try asking yourself these two questions: what is the function of your behavior and emotions, and is it helpful? Maintaining composure doesn’t mean coaches can’t feel or show their emotions. Instead, coaches must recognize their emotions, identify their purpose, and manage them when needed. By becoming a pro at maintaining your composure, you’re setting not only yourself, but your athletes up for success!