MINDSET CHECK- “CARING FOR YOUR INTERNAL ENVIRONMENT”

A Dose Of Danspiration- Mindset Check “Caring For Your Internal Environment”

As you work hard on your development as a dancer, have you considered the impact of your environment on your ability to improve and perform?

When we think about “environment,” often we only take into consideration what is going on outside of us. This could be home, school, social interactions, the studio, or anything else that could have an external impact on how you perform.

But what about your INTERNAL environment?

Our INTERNAL environment is the sum of our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. By taking the time to focus on what is going on inside of us, we empower ourselves because, unlike our external environment, we can control our INTERNAL environment.

Here are a few ways we can care for our internal environment:

·         Practice Positive Self-Talk- Remember, we are the sum of all our thoughts and to achieve we must believe in our ability and our potential for success.

·         Explore Breathing Exercises- Our breath is important for maintaining heart rate, reducing stress, and keeping a clear, focused mind.

·         Prioritize Whole Foods- To keep your digestion system processing efficiently and blood sugar even, limit processed, sugary foods/liquids. Pay attention to know what works for you then plan accordingly. If needed, pack your own snacks and drinks.

·         Stay hydrated!- Drink water throughout the whole day, not just at practice or performance time.

·         Get adequate sleep- Strive for 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night and try to avoid screens 2 hours before you plan on going to bed. Create a personalized sleep environment. How dark do you need it? Do you need ear plugs or white noise? Again, pay attention and know what works for you.

·         Seek support when needed!- Expressing your emotions and having someone to find solutions to mental/emotional challenges is crucial! You do not need to do this alone!

Remember, you cannot perform at your optimal level if you do not take care of yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally. We cannot always control what our external environments will bring, but we can control our own internal environment. Make caring for yourself a priority today!

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