Although I quite 'like' the response from @Kes , I suffered a serious mental health episode around 12 years agoHas anyone got any tips or solutions to deal with anxiety as a football referee? Recently my anxiety has become a problem again before games and although it's a mental health issue, I'm wondering if there are any football related solutions?
Has anyone got any tips or solutions to deal with anxiety as a football referee? Recently my anxiety has become a problem again before games and although it's a mental health issue, I'm wondering if there are any football related solutions?
I also find that not drinking 10 pints of Abbot the night before helps a good deal
Dickens Cider works for my anxiety!Totally agree. Cider works best ...
I don't have anxiety, but I get quite nervous (I'm not comparing my pre-match nerves to diagnosed anxiety) before most games. Obviously find help from professionals, but there are a few things you can do personally.Has anyone got any tips or solutions to deal with anxiety as a football referee? Recently my anxiety has become a problem again before games and although it's a mental health issue, I'm wondering if there are any football related solutions?
I remember another thread here 2-3 years ago on the same topic. You may get some good advice here however I suggest seeing a profesionl to deal with it if you are serious about your refereeing.Has anyone got any tips or solutions to deal with anxiety as a football referee? Recently my anxiety has become a problem again before games and although it's a mental health issue, I'm wondering if there are any football related solutions?
Wise counsel!No real answer to that one in my opinion Declan.
Being a football referee is a choice we make because we want to be involved in it and presumably because we enjoy doing it.
If something about it is preventing you from enjoying it then you need to try and analyse what that is. If it were me, I'd either take a long break from it and seek professional help for my mental health issue or do the exact opposite and completely immerse myself in as many games (whether as an official or a spectator) as I could in order to counter any anxiety felt.
I learned a long time ago that the fear of something is nearly always worse than the actual something (if that makes sense). Good luck with it.
Somewhat unusual. Anxiety associated with an activity is more commonly experienced before or during; rather than after. The latter is when one might expect to experience relief!I've found the anxiety is triggered after the games when I'm in the car or at home.
Try and prepare your kit bag the day before; it'll prevent you thinking you've forgotten something and that's one less thing on your mind.
Trust me, I’m exactly the same. I’ll double check everything about 10 times and as soon as I’m in the car I’ll say something like ‘I hope I’ve got my boots’. My pre match worries are bad enough thinking I’ve forgotten to bring my whistle/coin/anything else out just before I lead out the teams...Doesn't work for me.
I pack two of everything, kits, towels, pairs of boots etc.
I still get to my car and think I've forgotten something! And it doesn't pass until I'm at the ground and wearing the kit.
Same. The funny thing is, others end up using my spares a lot more than I do.I pack two of everything, kits, towels, pairs of boots etc.
Same. The funny thing is, others end up using my spares a lot more than I do.