When we think about pickleball, there are three pillars that comes to mind which we developed a few years back; the mechanical, the strategic, and the athletic pillar.

The mechanical and strategic pillars focus on how and when to hit the ball and the athletic pillar emphasizes the synergy between body and mind. The mind is super important, but it's one-a-half of the athletic pillar, there's the other part of the athletic pillar, which is the body.

Your body supports and nourishes your mind thus a healthy, well-conditioned body enhances mental performance.

To enhance mind-body connection, consider these steps;

1. Physical activity: Engage in regular exercise to boost both physical and mental well-being. It could be focusing on strength training, mobility, or flexibility. What the exercise session does is that it uplifts your spirits and sharpen your focus.

2. Hydration, sleep and nutrition: Dehydration or lack of energy can impede your ability to concentrate and perform. Ensure you’re adequately fueled and hydrated to maintain mental clarity.

3. Manage expectations: If your body is not at its peak, it’s normal for your cognitive abilities to reflect that so be kind to yourself and adjust expectations accordingly.

If you’re new to physical training, begin with simple exercises like controlled chair squats or full-body workouts like getting up from a lying position. Walking is also an excellent low-impact cardio activity.

If you're already active, good for you, consider incorporating additional elements such as strength training or flexibility exercises.

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Podcast episode on controlling how you respond; https://betterpickleball.com/237-why-are-you-upset-mindset-shifts-for-competitive-play-in-pickleball/

Tony's favorite workouts; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8CDeZurWmQ&list=PLRe6hjjhF-o4F-8QyurfoW0RM8_664o_T