What is the New Year's resolution of a triathlete? What does someone who already has a fitness routine resolve to do in 2015? You're a member of the LA Tri club, you know (or are at least learning well) how to get your butt in gear and commit to exercising X number of times each week. Maybe you want to reach a 20 mph average on the bike? Or heck, just reach a 16 mph average on the bike? Run a half marathon without cramping up? Shave one minute off of your T1 or T2 times? Or maybe you’re noticing that you struggle to balance the time you spend on your sport with the time you spend with your loved ones. Does the training rob you of your time for relationships and important connections?

 

So how about this; for 2015, resolve to apply the same commitment, finesse, enthusiasm, and balance to your family, work, friends, and community that you apply to your sport. Believe it or not, spending time with your loved ones can actually improve your athletic performance.

 

A study published in the British Journal of Arts and Social Sciences showed that athletes with high levels of mental happiness are more successful than athletes with low levels of mental happiness. In a nut shell, mental happiness has a main role in prediction of success in sports by athletes.

 

How do you improve your mental happiness, you ask? Latest research points to our relationships and our connections to people. This is particularly good news for athletes because the Journal of Sport Behavior published a study which found that athletes perceive their relationships with their family members as contributing most to their sport performance. Ask anyone, satisfying relationships and connections to people make us happier. We can weather nearly any storm if our relationships are intact.

 

In 2015, resolve to nurture your relationships with family, friends, and your community. It can be as simple as going for a walk with friends a couple times a month, going to dinner with a loved one once a week, or taking the kids to the park on the weekends. Whether you’re an amateur, a hobbyist, or an elite athlete, nurturing these relationships will improve your mental happiness and ultimately enhance your athletic performance.

 

Here's the final breakdown LA Tri Clubbers: Spending quality time with loved ones: win! Feeling happier: win! Meeting athletic goals: WIN!

 

References:

Donohue, Brad, et al, A standardized method of assessing sport specific problems in the relationships of athletes with their coaches, teammates, family, and peers. Journal of Sport Behavior, Vol 30(4), 375-397, December 2007.

 

Tabeian H., et al, The Impact of Mental Happiness on the Athletic Success, British Journal of Arts and Social Sciences, 2046-9578, Vol 15, 2013.