Coping strategies
Coping strategies are the ways an athlete deals with stress and difficult emotions.
Definition
They divide into problem-focused (changing the situation) and emotion-focused (changing how you relate to it). Healthy coping is flexible and deliberate.
How it shows up in sport
Helpful coping: planning, breathing, reappraisal. Unhelpful coping: avoiding competitions, self-blame, bottling up emotions.
Related tests
Questionnaires and reflection in the tests section help you see your habitual strategies.
Exercises
Coping is trained by working with your inner dialogue and the thought journal.
Related terms and issues
See emotional resilience and self-regulation.
Related topics
See also
When you need a personal review
If the challenge recurs, affects results, or causes strong tension for the athlete, it is better to discuss it with a specialist. Sports Talk helps you find a psychologist and a format that fits the sport, age and upcoming calendar.