How do footballers relieve stress?

How can you regain your composure after an intense moment in a match?

Pressure and concentration go together in football. Meditation and conscious breathing can provide a calm counterbalance to intense situations in a game.

Discover what a short daily practice can look like and why elite athletes also consciously train attention and recovery.

Today, all of us face stress that can weigh on us and impair concentration. For footballers, concentrating on the here and now is particularly important to performing at their best in matches and training.

What should you do?

Take an example from professionals such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Erling Haaland, Wojciech Szczęsny or Borussia Dortmund’s team — and simply meditate.

“I tried meditation, 15/20 minutes; it really works. It calms me and brings me a lot of serenity. I meditate almost every day and work particularly on breathing.”

That was Cristiano Ronaldo’s answer when asked how he maintains such excellent form despite the length of his career. There was a reason Borussia Dortmund hired a meditation specialist to show players how to relax after matches. Mohamed Salah, Antoine Griezmann and Erling Haaland have even celebrated their goals with meditation on many occasions.

How do I meditate?

During meditation, you notice thoughts without following each one. Direct attention to your breath and return to it when you drift. This is training for the mind. The fact that elite athletes such as Cristiano Ronaldo have discovered meditation shows its place in modern training. Try around ten quiet minutes a day, or start shorter. With time, you can learn to direct attention more consciously and recognise tension better. In addiction, such practice can accompany professional treatment.

You will find more breathing exercises and approaches to concentration, recovery and training in “Your energy”. Your energy.