Mind over matter? Is hypnotherapy the answer?

Silvervixen79
Silvervixen79 Posts: 116 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I really love the sport of running, always have, but up until my early 20's I had a heart condition which prevented me from running.

Ive since recovered/grown out of my heart condition, got the all clear from my cardiologist a few years ago, and really want to get into running and always try to mix it in on my long walks/hikes but when Im running, after 3 or maybe 5 minutes something in my head tells me to stop and its not being out of shape, my legs are strong and feel comfortable on a run, my breathing is fine, I feel good, but its my head and no matter what I say to push myself to keep going (just make it to the next light post etc..) I just cant seem to make myself.. I just start walking again.

I do this cycle several times throughout the session.

Any suggestions? Has anyone ever tried sports hypnotherapy?

Replies

  • Cajunmalakai
    Cajunmalakai Posts: 59 Member
    I went through something very similar. I suffered a knee injury when I was younger that literally prevented me from doing any significant running and sometimes even brisk walking.

    After a long stint of rehab and recovery, I was given the all clear to start running again. But I just couldn't. Almost everyday I would go out and try but never made it very far, maybe a half a mile at most and that was with frequent stops. It wasn't a matter of having the wind for it(I found other ways to get great cardio during my wait) something in my head would just tell me to stop and I couldn't convince myself otherwise.

    I did alot of research on it, and luckily I head a friend who makes a living as a therapist, and treats alot of athletes. He told me that it was pretty common among athletes who have suffered injuries to lose their "mojo" after they recover. It stems from a survival instinct, there is a part of the brain that instinctively holds you back for fear of re-injuring yourself.

    In your case, it may be that you spent such a long time careing for a heart condition that there is a part of your brain that is holding you back out of self preservation, simply because it doesn't know any better.

    In my case, my friend suggested that I work on forming new habits. It can be tough, sometimes it might even seem impossible, but it is important to keep plugging away, little, by little. Step by step. You form the habits that allow you to go further and further each time, until you dont even think about it anymore.

    What worked for me. might not work for you, but i I hope this helps and I wish you the best of luck.

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