Performance Anxiety Treatment

Performance Anxiety: Health and Performance International in New York City has mastered the art and science of controlling the physiology of performance, and we can pass it on to you.

Performance applies to many settings in life: sports, the performing arts, academics, the workplace, and public speaking, for example.

Performance is composed of a “mind and body state” that encompasses intention, attention, and attitude.

Common symptoms of performance anxiety can include:

Behavior: Poor motivation, inability to relax, inability to energize, poor decision making, low confidence, unable to set goals, unable to train hard, adaptability, not self aware, not intuitive, over analyzing, cannot regulate emotions, fear of failure, overreaction, poor eating, anger, blaming self, blaming others, holding grudges, thinking and rethinking the same situation, judging others, worrying, feeling out of control.

Physiological symptoms: buzzing or ringing in your ears, fatigue, numbness, heightened physical sensations, stiffness in joints, sweating, cold hands and feet, muscle tightness, irregular heart rate, palpitations, an inability to think clearly, forgetfulness, stomach complaints, moody, touchy, headaches, dizziness, shortness of breath, breathing difficulties, visual disturbances, pain, butterflies in stomach, clumsiness, insomnia, trembling, burnout.

When this fear/anxiety reaches the point where avoidance occurs, a phobia is present.

Many individuals become so obsessed with their quest for perfection, or to be perceived as perfect, that they avoid situations. They become so intense about accomplishing a goal that they just burn out.

Concepts imperative for peak performance:

• Understand the “physiology of performance.” Learn to accept the flow of adrenaline (the physical nervousness) and it will be the source of productive energy.
• Master mind body relationship (biofeedback/neurofeedback, mindfulness mediation).
• Differentiate between performance and identity. There is a big difference.
• Absorb the notion that “high performance” individuals embrace the opportunity to learn from mistakes!