Four mental tricks from sport for handling pressure in everyday life
Saturday, 7 November 2026 · Sports psychology & performance · Full report
The Globe and Mail, 2026-11-05 | read: full article
What was found
A review of sports psychology research points to four mental strategies that help people perform well when the stakes are high 1. The first is a pre-performance routine, a set series of steps before acting that signals to the mind that the situation is familiar. Such routines work best when they stay flexible. The second is to keep attention away from movements that are already well learned, either by focusing on an outside target or by using a mild distraction, so the person does not overthink actions that normally run on autopilot. The third is psychological skills training, such as picturing the task in the mind beforehand and using encouraging self-talk. The fourth is mindfulness: noticing anxiety without judging it and treating a racing heart or jittery feeling as a sign of being ready for a challenge rather than as a threat 1.
Who it applies to
The strategies come from work with athletes, but they also suit everyday tense moments, such as giving a presentation at work, sitting an exam, or driving in bad weather 1.
How strong the evidence is
Moderate. The source is a newspaper article that describes a published review of existing studies, and the full article was read 1. It does not report how many studies or participants the review covered, and it does not say how well the underlying studies were designed. The article also notes some limits. Routines can backfire if they become rigid or depend on lucky charms. Distraction tends to help experienced performers but can hurt beginners, who still need to think through their movements 1.
What it means in practice
These are skills that can be learned and practiced. Before a high-pressure task, set up a preparation routine that you can adjust if something unexpected happens, and avoid tying it to superstitious objects. If the task is something you already do well, aim your attention at the goal, such as the target or the audience, rather than at how your body is moving. Rehearse the event in your mind, including possible disruptions and how you would handle them, and talk to yourself in a supportive way. When nerves appear, notice the physical signs calmly and treat them as energy for the task, not as a warning that things will go badly 1. Beginners should be careful with distraction techniques until their skills become more automatic.
Original source
- Four sports psychology strategies for performing under pressure (The Globe and Mail, 2026-11-05)