While running might be my ‘therapy’ I can certainly say that it also occasionally results in a wry smile as I pound the pavements and parks throughout the cities and towns I run through.  Traditionally I am a fan of cues to help the mind focus on helpful, productive aspects of endurance runs.  These days, […]

There’s nothing quite like leaving things to the last minute. The energy that’s created to ‘get it done’ is pretty addictive (those of you who know this feeling will be smiling now). It’s Mental Health Awareness Week. In 2020 it takes place from 18-24 May. The theme is kindness. So, I am going to be […]

As part of the aim to write more regularly it makes sense that reading and sharing the good reads as well as the lessons with you more regularly fits into this category. Running is my therapy by Scott Douglas is one of several books I’ve read recently. I saw it on the shelf in the […]

Social research in Asia suggests that our kids are under more pressure than ever, and the negative consequences are very real. A recent prospectus study of Hong Kong schools anxiety revealed that 3 in 10 students in secondary school and 1 in 5 primary school aged children suffer from anxiety. One of the most underestimated […]

Want to gain an extra edge over your competitors?  Want to perform better?  Then you need to get more sleep! Sleep is a powerful and often underestimated tool that can lead to noticeable changes in performance. Unfortunately, as a society we value not sleeping and celebrate those who can do a lot of work on […]

Mental blocks are a phenomenon that happen when a performer appears to go blank and forget movements that they have consistently trained and mastered and should know how to complete.  The performer can appear to freeze or may instinctively change the movement they were planning to do.  Performers experiencing a mental block will often state […]

There are very few movies that truly dive into the depths of an elite performer’s mind.  Whiplash is one such movie. I watched it on the plane coming back from Australia in mid August…twice.  The acting captured me as did the way the characters depicted the ruthless perfectionism that is so frequently an ingredient associated with high […]

There is so much information about how to keep your body healthy, including fad diets, exercise trends, and the like. It is quite normal and acceptable, and even admired to follow these trends with the idea of looking after your body. What about your brain? There is an increasing awareness about mental health issues but […]

There’s been a lot of commentary in the media recently about the lack of support that elite athletes receive when it comes to their mental health.  At Mental Notes Consulting, we are, and have always been passionate about athlete health and wellbeing alongside their performance. Part of our role in working with athletes and their […]

The brain plays an important and often overlooked role in pain and injury.  Here are five things you can do to train your brain when you are injured… 1. Visualise The same parts of your brain are activated when you imagine doing an activity as when you actually do the activity.  Studies show that athletes […]