Mental Toughness
Firsthand athletes are developed through competition when they harness the power of the mind. Our thoughts affect our feelings and our feelings affect our actions. Anyone can develop an ability to do work with regards to fitness and rowing, but when work capacity is combined with mental toughness athletes can control their actions and reach their goals. Mental toughness is an athlete’s ability to commit to competition with a belief in oneself, to have a positive focus on the things they can control, and to embrace challenge as an opportunity for learning and self-improvement.
Daily Challenge 5/2:
Focus on your breathing for 3 minutes.
Sit relaxed with a good posture. Set a timer or play a quiet song for about 3 minutes. Focus on your breathing. Think about your breath as it enters through your nose and mouth. How does it fill your lungs? Think about your breath as filling a jug of water from the bottom up. Breathe through your belly and then up into your chest. Exhale for a count of 4 and then inhale for a count of 4. When your mind wanders bring it back to your breath. In and out. Really focus.
Focusing on your breath is a great tool to develop mental toughness. Our breath is something that we can control. Think about exhaling as a chance to breathe out all your stress and worries. Then you can inhale energy, confidence, and strength. Use your diaphragm and fill your belly first.
Share your thoughts on breathing!
How do you breathe? Through the chest or belly? How often did your mind wander? Were you able to focus on breathing and nothing else?
Renegade Rowing 
That was very relaxing 🙂
I like to focus on my breathing when taking a nap! Today I got a quick nap in before hitting a WOD and it was awesome. I literally blew out all my distractions and relaxed. So nice!
This was great for that time between when they make you turn off electronics and when the plane actually lands. Very relaxing. Will definitely try to do this more often.