Free Your Mind Article NYTimes

This a complex and overlooked issue. Is "stress" really the issue, or is it our response? As the journalist points out, many of us can turn any conflict into a big issue. So often our own expectations, or how we play into the expectations of friends and family, are a huge driver. Beyond all of that, breath control and imagery should be second nature to us swimmers. We should all really tap into this. Did Ande have this in one of his tips? (There are so many good tips in that thread that I'd have to re-read it many times to digest it). I have found yoga to be very helpful for both my shoulders (which is why I started doing it) and for my overall outlook. I even have a mantra: "less caffeine, more breathing". It sounds sappy and ridiculous to some but it works for me.

This a complex and overlooked issue. Is "stress" really the issue, or is it our response? As the journalist points out, many of us can turn any conflict into a big issue. So often our own expectations, or how we play into the expectations of friends and family, are a huge driver. Beyond all of that, breath control and imagery should be second nature to us swimmers. We should all really tap into this. Did Ande have this in one of his tips? (There are so many good tips in that thread that I'd have to re-read it many times to digest it). I have found yoga to be very helpful for both my shoulders (which is why I started doing it) and for my overall outlook. I even have a mantra: "less caffeine, more breathing". It sounds sappy and ridiculous to some but it works for me.