What Depression Does To Your Performance

It’s extremely difficult for someone to perform at his or her best when depressed. Many specialists, however, differ on the reason that depression occurs. Is it a low level of serotonin? A tough upbringing? A tragic life event? All of the above? Really, from my purpose of view, none of these factors can cause a long- or maybe short-term drop in one’s state of mind. There may well be a correlation between these factors and depression, however there’s not a cause-and-effect relationship between them.

As an illustration, my colleague, Dr. George Pransky, uses the following model: When it rains heavily, there’s a good probability that umbrella usage can increase, and, at the same time, a smart likelihood that storm drains will overflow. Yet, nobody could insist that the reason storm drains overflow is as a result of people are using umbrellas, or vice versa.

The link between depression and the above aspects works in the similar way. Often, a person who has experienced a tragedy can become depressed and commonly their level of serotonin can drop. A dreadful event, though, cannot cause depression or a lack of serotonin. Solely one’s thoughts about the tragedy have the ability to do this. Just like rain is the reason for umbrella usage and storm drain overflow, thought is that the absent link between serotonin and moods. If human beings did not consciously think, they (like other animals) wouldn’t be affected by variable levels of serotonin and that they may not expertise prolonged low moods.

Why is that the understanding that our thoughts produce our lows so vital? Quite simply, it represents the difference between growing from our life things or turning into a victim of them. The same exact tragedy will befall two people: One moves through it- unhappy however graceful. The other struggles-miserable and puzzled. The difference: the former understands the principle of thought; the latter does not. In other words, the degree to that we prevail has nothing to do with our biological makeup or life history; it relies solely on whether or not we realize that our thoughts-not our life events-create our perceptions and outlook.

Simply because you think it, doesn’t mean it’s true.

Keep in mind, too, that this understanding does not mean that you have the power to control your thoughts. It means that your thoughts, no matter their content, have no power to regulate you. If a
coach loses a huge game, for example, and thinks that his job would possibly be on the road, odds are that a low mood will follow. But, this does not mean that his thoughts are valid and require attention. He ought to not right away walk into the athletic director’s workplace and explain why the loss occurred, or lay out all the reasons why he should keep his job.

Yes, a drop in mood and a drop in serotonin are most in all probability connected- but determining what creates the drop is the sole answer to being able to feel better and perform more efficiently. The primary order of business is to acknowledge that the events of the planet outside don’t have anything to do with it, and thus, an external fix (as well as a mental technique, a drink, or venting) will only sink you deeper into the mud of depression.
Garret Kramer is the founder and managing partner of Inner Sports, LLC. His revolutionary approach to performance has transformed the way players, coaches, professional teams, and even parents view the athletic and life journey. To know more about Garret and peak performance visit http://garretkramer.com/ NOW.

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Thursday, October 27th, 2011 Uncategorized
 

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