Extreme Psychology
Extreme psychology is performance psychology.
We sometimes call it extreme psychology because of the intense emotional experiences that sport and performance moments can elicit.
The cortisol and adrenaline uptake (two chemicals responsible for stress and anxiety) when under pressure can make it really difficult to focus on the present moment and task. Our minds can lead us to really uncomfortable places.
We can find it difficult:
- to focus and think clearly
- to perform to our ability
- to act quickly and assertively
- to perform with composure
- to stay present
- The Brain Stem: Part of the brain that is responsible for arousal, hunger, fatigue, and danger.
- The Limbic System: essentially responsible for comfort seeking and distress avoiding. Induces emotions such as anxiety and fear and helps us in empathy and staying safe.
- The Frontal Lobe: looks after our higher order reasoning, problem solving, and rationality. The youngest part of the brain.
The pictures above show three important primary areas of the brain. Each of these parts of the brain are responsible for different functions. These parts compete for resources so when fatigued and stressed is it really a surprise that we might struggle to perform consistently?
Extreme psychology is about learning to integrate these parts of the brain so that they work for you, not against you.