Why Is An Athletes Wellbeing So Important

Wellbeing .... What does that actually mean?
Well ... we all may interpret it differently

Wellbeing to me is a life that has a sense of purpose, a soul that has freedom and a body with health and vitality.

And where does that fit in to the sports industry, achieving goals and a level of 'success'. and what to do when we end our careers

Drive determination and focus are key components on the path to success their importance is immeasurable, It's these components which sustain the success of an athlete but it is also these that, when employed for long periods of time can produce a detrimental effect on an athletes well being.

Its exhausting sustaining such a high level of enthusiasm, Imagine athletes as high performance cars, they move fast win races but even these cars need time to cool down and receive repairs.

There are always newer models being build designed to work harder, move faster and out perform current models.
You are working at your physical optimum level, training harder, and constantly perfecting your technique but another is still a head of you in the race. What if you are getting older and find yourself struggling to keep up with the others. And what if you are on top but others are nipping at your heels?

All these issues can produce high levels of anxiety, depression, frustration etc. Lets not forget the added pressures and expectations from your sponsors, management, fans. Although we can often receive valuable help from sports psychologists, therapist and other experienced individuals, How do we stop our overall well being from being effected during the moments of our everyday lives, How do we induce the feelings we had when we first tasted success, when the joy of the activity out weighed the need for a win. How do we find joy and happiness in the little things and stop the element of winning being the high (the drug) that keeps us happy.

Our mind is the strongest tool that we have in our arsenal and it takes true strength to utilize its incredible power. Although we can seek help from others..... ultimately it is down to ourselves.

Gluten Free Diet Beneficial for Athletes Yes or No?

For thousands of years we have consumed, cultivated and milled wheat, spelt, barley and rye.  We have used it as a staple part of our diet with nourishing benefits.  These gluten free substances were milled in a manner which were wholesome and simple, the milling process helped retain all the natural goodness.
Then in the industrial era the process changed.  Many crops were protected with synthetic chemical based substances, Mechanical technologies were used to harvest and mill, all which increased the crop yield produced to keep up with consumer demand.  Finally we learnt how to alter the genetics of these valuable substances for a lighter, fluffier bake. (click here for further details of the modern milling process)

Roman Stone mill and oven

But what does this mean....?  Well lets start with the basics.  Gluten consists of two proteins Glaidin (which is what people react badly to) and Glutenin.
Flour when mixed with water forms a cross linked network of proteins, this produces an elastic type dough helping the dough to rise.
When this protein is digested and exposed to the cells of the immune system of an individual with a sensitivity to gluten, there arises is a miss communication. The immunity cells mount an attack considering the protein to be a potential threat.

For those with coeliacs disease the gluten also attacks the walls of the digestive tract.  The result of this is an over activity of the immune system, inflammation in the bowl causing the malabsorption of food and nutrients and the need for the digestive system to be cleared to remove the problem.  This is why many coeliacs lose a lot of weight even if they are eating large amounts, the body empties itself before food can be properly processed.

Studies have also shown that those who do not have gluten sensitivities can also have some negative reactions to gluten (modern milled) including bloating, fatigue and stool inconsistencies.
Other studies have shown that many cases of neurological illness may be caused or exacerbated by gluten.

So how does a gluten free diet enter the world of sports. Well there is some controversy here. We must not forget that whole wheat products are beneficial to the body.  Studies have been performed to compare the effects of gluten filled diets to gluten free diet in athletes (take a look at the link to see the results the gluten free athlete).  Unless an athlete has a gluten sensitivity/ coeliacs there is no medical proof to suggest that a gluten free diet will improve their performance.
But here are some benefits which many athletes have reported

Weightloss/ feeling lighter on your feet

Increased strength
More energy
Mentally sharper
Better quality of sleep
Feeling fresher and more alert 

I think it is wise here to mention that when entering a gluten free diet athletes often turn to different types of food which also help improve overall health, packed with essential proteins and blood sugar stabilizers
Foods such as Lentils, chickpeas, various types of beans, gluten free porridge, brown rice, quinoa etc.
I am possibly bias towards the gluten free life as I have coeliacs disease myself. Since removing gluten completely from my diet (this includes vinegar made from barley......be careful gluten is hidden everywhere). My life has improved dramatically. especially the lifting of a debilitating mental fog.   Removing even a small amount of gluten from your diet may not produce miracles but it can't hurt!

Reasons Why Athletes should Meditate

Why does the word meditation scare people so much?

For some there is a preconceived image of meditation, that to meditate we either have to be religious, disconnected from reality, 'away with the fairies', wearing robes or Lycra with braided hair, drive around in camper vans giving out daisies........ You get the picture!

The process of meditation can be performed by anybody and is as beneficial for a high powered executive as it is for those following a more 'simple' way of living.... All you have to be in open minded.

Meditation has proved beneficial in all walks of life including sports, business, child care, rehabilitation, the penal system etc 

This is because meditation is not one straight road with only one way of driving down it. 

There is no one reason or one way to meditate

• Are you looking to relax?
• Are you looking to increase your energy levels?
• Are you looking to develop concentration?
• Are you looking to develop insight and understanding?
• Are you looking to feel better about yourself?
• Are you seeking inner peace?
• Are you looking for control over emotional responses?
• Are you looking to help create focus or find the answer to a question?
• Are you looking to remain with in the realm of rational thought?
• Are you looking to reduce pressure and anxiety?
• Are you looking to heal the body?
• Are you looking to come to terms with illness, bereavement?
• Are you looking to get over a break up or cope with loosing at your talent?
• Are you looking to forgive yourself and others?
• Are you looking for the meaning of life?

The list is endless! But what intrigues me is the role of meditation in the growth and development of professional athletes.... especially post play

Letting go of mistakes made and games lost is essential, carrying that kind of baggage on to course, pitch, court, track etc adds extra labor to a game (and often unknowingly done). that extra, silent, unseen weight can have very damaging effects on performance. Unfortunately it is often vented on family, friends, fans, media. this is where the feeling of inadequacy begins, addictions and physical crutches are formed and where athletes begin to distance themselves from others. 

Before these seeds of doubt root and grow they should be eliminated immediately! This is where meditation is at it's most valuable.

I find meditation is the only form of therapy which reduces feeling of frustration and produces valuable answers when I need them the most, and I'm not the only one.... many athletes are reported to perform a daily meditation. Gary Player is reported to Meditate daily 

Take a look at the link below

10 Reasons Why Every Athlete Should Meditate - Huffington Post

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