Let's cut through the fluff and talk about the two systems running in the background of everything you do, your Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) and your Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS). Whether you're an athlete, someone dealing with anxiety, or just a person trying to get through the week, this really matters, understanding why you might be reacting, feeling or even talking to yourself in a certain way can all be linked back to these two systems. Diagram showing the sympathetic and...

Pre race anxiety is a common challenge for athletes across all disciplines. The nervous energy before competition can affect focus, performance, and overall experience. One key factor linked to this anxiety is the anticipatory increase in respiration rate. When athletes who are already anxious try to up regulate their breathing before a race, it can unintentionally heighten their anxiety. Understanding this connection and applying the right breathing techniques can help athletes manage their...