performance psychology

Weekly Therapy: YOU ARE LOVED.

- Mel 1 Comment

the week:
So Pittsburgh won a thing. The thing that they won the season just before we moved there… and now, just after we’ve left. I’M SO MAD THAT I MISSED THAT CELEBRATION!

Cleveland’s also on its way to (possibly) win a thing. And, WHY CAN’T WE EVER LIVE IN A CITY WHEN A TEAM WINS A CHAMPIONSHIP?!

weekend:
Tomorrow is BACCoon RIDE TRES — a day full of biking, bacon, and booze!

I’m also super excited about my spa pedicure on Sunday. I haven’t had one since before I was marathon training last year (and my weird toenail from Gasparilla has finally grown out). o_O

seven things, seven days:
1. This article about biphobia and bi-erasure really hit me in the gut this week — my gut churns and my heart hurts for what happened in Orlando:

Bisexual people, pansexual people, polysexual people, any non monosexual people, when you worry that you aren’t gay enough, when your identity is erased, when you feel like you don’t fit anywhere… you are not alone.

2. I found out this week that the Cheese Society is having its annual conference in Des Moines next month. And with it, hosting a FESTIVAL OF CHEESE. We already have plans that night and I could just SCREAM.
3. I did Side Crow at yoga!
4. It’s still 90 degrees here all week.
5. Did you hear the one about a $6 Wal-mart wine winning a top award IN THE WORLD? LOLZ
6. I love Brutalist architecture. *swoon* {via aeon}
7. DELIBERATE PRACTICE: The expert (and one of my psychology idols) on being an expert. {via Business Insider}

Weekly Therapy: Pressure is a privilege.

- Mel

the week:
I’m having another not-so-great week of feeling REALLY lethargic and exhausted. I’m truly now feeling the pressure (and by extension, stress) to be and do All the Things and the associated downward spiral of thinking (and inaction). I wish I could just stop doing that to myself! I plan to use some of these Unconventional Productivity tips from zen habits to reset and refocus (and, hopefully, gain back some of my energy). It’s such a great list!

30-something therapy pressure is privilege
Pause.

weekend:
We have tickets to Caberet tonight, and a midday date tomorrow for the Sewickley Chocolate Walk (The event sold out quickly, so I’m glad we jumped on tickets early!). We haven’t had a date night in such a long time, and we have two fun things to celebrate together. #blessed

And on Sunday, we’ll be positively gorging ourselves on terrible (but delicious!) football appetizers at home, while watching all the fun Super Bowl commercials. I’ll run at some point though, PROMISE.

seven things, seven days:
1. Did you pay attention to the Iowa Caucus this week? Coming from a state where we have primaries, the whole caucus system is fascinating, and I’ve enjoyed learning more about the process (since I’ve, admittedly, not paid attention to it in the past). I can honestly say that I’m currently coming from a place of being an undecided/uncommitted voter, so I’m definitely paying attention!
2. Knowing when it’s time to quit – that’s some kind of pressure for athletes, ya know? {via NPR}
3. Speaking of sports pressure: The mental strength of quarterbacks in Super Bowl 50 {via CNN}
4. Have you heard of yesiyoga.com? Well, I’m all about new yoga brands, so interested to see where this referral/social media blitz takes us. [Sign up, too, if you’re also intrigued!] 5. Appropriate (even if I hate use of the word “girl”): 18 things a roller derby girl can relate to {via Buzzfeed}
6. How to finally stop procrastinating (for real) {via FastCompany}
7. Oh. Maybe that’s it. Why your high-intensity feelings may be tiring you out {via HBR}

Weekly Therapy: And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should

- Mel

the week:
That subject quote came up in a Timehop post from, like, 7 years ago — and it’s still ever-applicable. Although I don’t know what the universe is trying to tell me with all this insomnia and stress.

I’ve been having an opposite sleeplessness problem as of late. In the past, I’ve struggled with falling asleep; now, I can crash pretty quickly, but find myself WIDE AWAKE only after an hour or two… and completely unable to fall back asleep. Sometimes I’ll stir in the dark just staring at the ceiling; others, I’ll flip-flop mindlessly for hours and then finally grab my phone or iPad. Yeah, I know, no devices in the bedroom. I tried that for a while. I’ve removed the TV. I’ve removed my boyfriend. It didn’t work (nor do drugs or ear plugs or cold bedrooms or going to bed every day at 8:30 and waking up at my first alarm or sleeping with a sweatshirt tied around my face to block any light). Ironically, I find myself falling asleep easier when I’m reading or playing a word puzzle on my phone, or petting the cat. But I just. cannot. stay. asleep.

I stopped drinking coffee in the afternoon, but I am definitely drinking more in the morning. I haven’t tried a full coffee stop because that just sounds like a terrible, no-good idea. So, I’m frustrated and I feel like crap to boot basically for two weeks straight and now I’m PMS’ing. YAY. #sorryforcrabby

weekend:
Hey, I’m playing in a mixed scrimmage this Sunday! (I’m a Hero!)

seven things, seven days:
1. I missed the initial memo about changes in our office dress code… but, YAY more casual days!
2. I finished “The Girl on the Train” this week (my first and only book of 2016! Big difference from last year). If you’ve read it, did you like the ending? I did NOT.
3. THIS IS SO FASCINATING!!! 8 things that practicers do differently {via Bulletproof Musician}
4. From the perspective of elite achievers: If you’re busy, you’re doing something wrong. {via Cal Newport}
5. The Pi Day 5K is back! I’ll likely register for this virtual race taking place on 3.14(16), since I don’t have anything currently on my March calendar.
6. Since I’m currently (half-assed) training for a challenge race, I came across this helpful post for Training Tips for Challenge Races. My motivation is nil right now.
7. What you can learn from William Hung about perseverance. {via Pacific-Standard}

Weekly Therapy: Jetting forward and lagging behind

- Mel

the week:
Well, I am positively exhausted. And I missed out on both Sunday Lately posts with my Blogger Tribe and am holding off on my Accountability Monday post until next week because… well, because last week’s training blog didn’t deserve its own post.

I’m catching up but now saddled with some extra, stressful shit on the homefront. SIGH. Also, I think I still have jet lag pretty bad or residual physiological exhaustion from my travel anxiety.

weekend:
This Sunday is the 5th Annual Yoga Expo at Pittsburgh Opera in the Strip District. I honestly don’t remember how I found out about this event (or remember even paying for it), but I did! My participation depends on the weather/driving conditions and if I can get a long run in on Saturday instead.

We’re also visiting A BABY – and dropping off some homemade food to friends (parents of said newborn). Pending the seriousness of this incoming storm, we’ll likely enjoy some beverages with some neighbor friends.

seven things, seven days:
1. Not a lot about myself this week, but the rest of the Internet made up for it!
2. That said, I’m having lunch at Smallman Galley today and OH LOOK AT ALL THOSE GF OPTIONS! What an awesome project this is, btw.
3. Well, here’s a different perspective on procrastination. {via NYT}
4. Oooooh “hunger [as] a motivated state of mind”. What say you? {via Aeon}
5. Research on boredom – I want to read more about its effect on performance. Boredom as related to performance psychology (and its counterparts, apathy and burnout) are particularly interesting to me, and what I hope to study when I go back to pursue my graduate degree. {via Nature}
6. Got stress? You should be paying attention to your body. Includes interesting research, too, about resilience. {via NYT}
7. Have you ever ghosted your therapist? {via Psychology Today}

Weekly Therapy: Black and Yellow, Black and Yellow

- Mel

the week:
Well, the BIG news of the week is that I MADE TRAVEL TEAM! I’ll be playing for our A/varsity team, The Steel Hurtin’. So excited, you guys!

steel hurtin pittsburgh 2016
My Team!

weekend:
If you’re in Pittsburgh, this weekend the orchid and tropical bonsai show opens at Phipps’ Conservatory. Visitors can experience this tropical escape starting Saturday through February 28. (Hours 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily and until 10 p.m. on Fridays.) More details can be found at phipps.conservatory.org.

Also, you can cheer for the Steelers again… if that’s your thing.

seven things, seven days:
1. Unfortunately dropped off the Dry January wagon, when we were invited to a neighbor’s Steelers party last weekend (back on as of Monday — dry weekdays instead for this month, maybe). Eh.
2. I’m (finally) through season 2 of The Leftovers, and all I can comment is WTF?!
3. Got my first Wantable Fitness Edit this week and I have… conflicted feelings about it. Is this something you guys would like to see reviewed?
4. Celebrated our department’s post-holiday holiday party this week, complete with a “regift” exchange. Good fun to break up the work week.
5. Therapy Wars: The revenge of Freud (long read, but really interesting look at CBT) {via The Guardian}
6. The top 5 fitness trends for 2016 looks a lot like last year (and the year before that). {via Runtastic}
7. You can’t trust what you read about nutrition. This is a fun one about correlations. {via FiveThirtyEight Science}

Weekly Therapy: I really want to complain about still being sick…

- Mel

the week:
I woke up with my first alarm every work day this week (which was only Tuesday through today, since I took a holiday on Monday). This is a HUGE step for me, and after having a conversation about how awful I feel about setting five (sometimes more) different snooze alarms, I decided to start taking action. This fits into a bigger picture of some of my New Year resolutions, and I’m happy about taking these little baby steps now (which hopefully equals more successful, eventual goals).

weekend:
I have a busy week coming up, with nearly every night scheduled with holiday parties and celebratory happy hours with corresponding gift exchanges, so I need to do a little Christmas shopping over the weekend.

Sunday afternoon is this awesome Girls Rock! CD release event and skating party at Romp n’ Roll. You should come!

52 books in 52 weeks:
#46 Lost at Sea — another excellent read from Jon Ronson! His storytelling keeps me intrigued and entertained, and I liked how this book is essentially a collection of randomness (though he calls them mysteries). This book has plenty of trivial pursuit/pop culture/jeopardy-answer material, spanning topics like James Bond (a chapter that had me laughing out loud several times), Insane Clown Posse (!!!), and (religious) cults.

seven things, seven days:
1. I popped a blood vessel in my eye from coughing so hard. OVER IT.
2. A bird pooped on my leg while I was walking to the yoga studio. I worked in a bird zoo for almost three years and never once got pooped on… so, irony?
3. Coffee has returned to my neighborhood!
4. The INTJ gift guide (you know, if you’re looking to buy me something) — links to other Myers Briggs personalities at the bottom of the article.
5. Just… WOAH. Mental Toughness with the Navy Seals. {via Lifehacker}
6. Does exercise slow the aging process? {via NY Times}
7. Head nodding in (almost) complete agreement with this writer. The difference being I do NOT like to cook. The Myth of Easy Cooking {via The Atlantic}

Weekly Therapy: The person you were.

- Mel

the week:
I have a very social week: two happy hours to catch up with friends, another friend’s birthday party, a chocolate-theme party and a business-kinda morning coffee break. Monday spin class. Back to my weekly run//yoga club. Open skate on Saturday afternoon. Tailgating with Pittsburgh Browns Backers (and more friends).

I hope I don’t hate people by the end of this seven-day stretch! But I’m honestly feeling some really good energy in making time for everyone and finding a need to connect (and re-connect).

weekend:
As mentioned above, I plan to put my skates on for the first time in ten months. WFTDA Champs got me all fired up inside about playing roller derby again. So, I’m starting with an open skate and a league practice on Monday to see where I am skill-wise (and to be minimum skills-tested again). And… well, we’ll just go from there. But it probably means more crossfit/weight-training in my life, despite my post last week about watching my money. HA, sorry money! I spent $200 already updating some of my derby equipment!

Saturday night is the much-anticipated (and sold out!) Chocolate Bar event by the Cultural Trust. Oh boy, I hope it’s not lame and that I can eat all the chocolate. In any event, there will be booze, so… I’m set. Sunday, I’ll be (hungover, likely) cheering the Browns with my fellow Backers at Heinz Field (and its proximal parking lots)!

Also: THERE’S AN INTERNET CAT VIDEO FESTIVAL HAPPENING IN PITTSBURGH! (WHAT?!)

52 books in 52 weeks:
#40 Furiously Happy by Jenny Lawson — I really enjoy Jenny’s writing style, and this book did not disappoint. At one point I was CRY-LAUGHING that I started almost-sobbing. It was hilarious, maniacal laughter. And you’re dead inside if you don’t laugh while reading this book!

#41 The Woman I Wanted To Be by Diane von Furstenberg — I had this book on my nightstand since receiving it in one of my Popsugar Must Have boxes, and I finally read it. Meh. Pretty boring overall, to be honest, but not completely eye-rolling (though I found it wholly impossible to relate to her life experiences and at times thought there was much fabrication). I found her failings (and subsequent successes) as a business person to be the most interesting and I wish those moments were expanded upon in her memoir.

#42 Popularity Explained: The Social Psychology of Grade School — SNORE. I mostly skimmed through. Incredibly boring and he even admits to a lot of the info being more of what we already know.

#43 Coming Clean by Kimberly Rae Miller — Somehow I ended up reading two memoirs about growing up with hoarders for parents. I’m still finishing the other one. I have a lot of respect for the author, especially considering her strength to maintain a relationship with her parents and their mental illnesses (and regularly, literally, cleaning up their messes).

seven things, seven days:
1. I bought these new capri pants from Fabletics in the Northern Lights fabric (which are amazing because the little stars are all reflective at night)!
2. Went to the annual “Cleaning of the Chandeliers” champagne toast at the Omni hotel yesterday. What a fun little celebration!
3. Preparing for skating again, I pulled my gear bag out of the basement and HOLY SHIT. It smells real bad after ten months.
4. NEW MISSY ELLIOTT!
5. YIKES: Alarming new research on perfectionism {via Science of Us}
6. My boyfriend forwarded this one to me (he knows me so well): The Secret History of Mac n’ Cheese {via Huffington Post}
7. What we think about when we run {via The New Yorker}

Weekly Therapy: Sports n’at

- Mel

the week:
Today is National Run at Work Day, so I’m going to see what it’s like running at my lunch break (and then returning to my desk all sweaty and smelly for the duration of the day). I’ll be certainly putting my sMEL U moniker to the test. I have also already added to my list to use my Bath & Body Works gift card towards some body sprays that I can keep at my desk. Plus, my five miles will be over and out of the way so that I can enjoy my Friday happy hour.

weekend:
I’ll be watching the WFTDA D1 Jacksonville Playoffs and cheering for my former teammates in black n’ gold throughout the weekend. The Steel Hurtin’ have already won their first game this morning and play again at 4pm against the Seed 1 Team (London). NAIL BITING NERVOUS EXCITEMENT.

I am also having a massage and a facial this weekend. Getting there should be fun. And then I’m going out for some retail therapy. #earnedit

Hopefully we get some kind of cool front so that I can have a good 16(ish) mile-run this weekend too. And I guess there’s a football game or something.

52 books in 52 weeks:
#32: So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed by Jon Ronson — loved, loved, loved this book. I plan to write a lengthier review about it as part of another post. Important take-aways (for me): the shame spreads wider than the person being shamed (often at the person/s doing the shaming); the internet is a gross place; and yet another disparity between men and women. And when the book ended, I wanted more.

seven things, seven days:
1. I ate tomatoes again. In the form of tomato jam on a hamburger because OMG THE KETCHUP CRAVINGS. And I think I might altogether start reintroducing nightshades (or maybe just tomatoes) into my diet again because I feel all right.
2. Had lunch at the new Yard Gastropub Market Square location with my (now former) work team. Gluten-free bread at a grilled cheese place makes me a very happy downtown worker despite all the annoying workplace crap going on. Though I secretly wish Yard could dedicate a fryer so that I could have those sweet potato waffle fries!
3. I have two more cracked teeth in my mouth per my six-month dental check-up. FFS.
4. Favorite read of the week (going to miss this show so much): Psychology lessons from Key and Peele
5. Why do runners get slower with age? Ugh, age. {via NY Times}
6. Like your flextime but also feeling symptoms of burnout? You might not be balancing your job demands, job resources and recovery properly. {via Huffington Post}
7. Why do we compete? {via The Atlantic}

Weekly Therapy: A change will do you good.*

- Mel

the week:
This has been a rough week. My job was realigned into a new department, on a new team, and I now also report to a new person. There has been a lot of confusion about how my role is changing for the company, and I’m really trying to be open about embracing those changes. What a lesson in organizational development and change management! I wish I was currently in those i/o-psych classes to tap into the experience a little more. And, maybe… help me process everything.

weekend:
It’s finally here — graduation and commencement! (Are they the same thing? WHO CARES! HOORAY!) I’m looking forward to spending some time with my family and celebrating this accomplishment. But also will be doing a LOT of thinking about my future on this weekend’s 16-mile (!!!) long run (I ended up registering for another half marathon to keep me accountable). I really think that I need that career coach.

52 books in 52 weeks:
I realized this week that I’m *tired* right now of reading self-development/inspirational/how-to books. I need a break and some more reading for fun. Have any good book recommendations? Please leave in the comments! I do prefer non-fiction, so a good memoir or biography that you’ve read would fit my interests.

seven things, seven days:
1. We went out (and subsequently got *smashed*) on a Sunday night when we found out that Howl at the Moon was having a luau because of the holiday weekend. We had a BLAST! Nice change of pace.
2. I’m all for social media, but can we PLEASE stop with the wedding hashtags?
3. Speaking of change, I had some lavender dyed into the “hidden”/underneath part of my hair. YOLO, amirite.
4. Pittsburgh blogger? Sign up for Allegheny Inn’s “Partei Für Blogger” happening next Friday.
5. The heel of my loafers somehow completely fell off on my walk to work on Thursday. Like, seriously life?
6. Performance sportswear gives psychological as well as physical boost
7. A breakdown of research about the role of Vitamin D in athletic performance — something that I’ve long considered is the reason behind all my persistent fatigue and exhaustion (I have extremely low levels of Vitamin D, despite supplementation; and yet, still have no answers as to why).

*can’t get that dang song out of my head!

Weekly Therapy: What’s with all the questions?

- Mel

the week:
How do you shift your thinking amidst a bunch of change? I’ve been really taking in the perspective of others and asking a lot of questions to help guide me through a few transitions — both professional and personal. I don’t necessarily feel stuck but I don’t feel as though I’m making any meaningful progress either. I have made it a priority, however, to start getting all the info I need to go to grad school. Spreadsheets are made and envelopes of program brochures are sitting in my mail pile. I’m not yet paralyzed… but I’m certainly feeling a little overwhelmed.

Anyone know a life/career coach who helps with the grad school application process?

weekend:
Long weekend, everybody! We originally had plans to drive to Ohio for a party, but that got canceled. So I’ve got a lot of NOTHING TO DO… in my hammock. Buh-bye, summer. Don’t let the door hit ya. And would you mind taking out that 90-degree/100% humidity garbage?

52 books in 52 weeks:
#31: Are You Fully Charged? by Tom Rath – I received this book for review via NetGalley. Since I enjoyed Rath’s StrengthFinder book so much from my personal development work, I expected this to be equally as inspiring.

The first couple sections of the book resonated, and I was particularly interested in what Rath categorizes as “energy”… but the result of that was either heavy on personal anecdotes that didn’t really add much or regurgitated info that I’ve learned from other books (and from my interest in positive psychology). Like, I GET IT ALREADY: I NEED TO GET MORE SLEEP. When someone tells me a HOW that works, then maybe it will be ground-breaking book info.

Hashtag, not getting enough sleep.

seven things, seven days:
1. Did you know that in Pittsburgh you have to renew your library card? My procrastination framework is firmly integrated. Coincidence that it’s National Library Card Sign Up Month?
2. Why did I feel so much worse the day after my 4-mile run than I did after my 14-mile run? WHY.
3. Why are health insurance companies the worst? My claims were denied for the same blood panel I get every year, albeit with my new insurance, and they won’t even apply the $550 payment towards my out-of-pocket expenses or deductible. THE WORST.
4. Why does this make me feel like shit (but I totally get it)? Read: How ‘transference’ makes you hard to live with.
5. A depressing – but hopefully a means for reflection – opinion piece in the New York Times: How Not to Be Alone. I just realized this is from 2013. Why am I just reading it now?
6. Copywriter to Performance Psychologist… Wait, whose life is this? Sustainable High Performance: Five Questions with Matt Fellows {via Forbes.com}
7. Did you know the GRE costs $195?! The hell.