Video Version
Timestamp
1:05 — Academic and professional background
3:30 — What is mindfulness?
5:00 — Dr. Haberl’s mindfulness journey
7:42 — Practical mindfulness demonstration
11:36 — Reflections on mindfulness demonstration
14:38 — Emotions and performance
21:51 — The mind’s thief
26:46 — Behavioral vs. Emotional goals
33:47 — Psychological flexibility
The True Purpose of Mindfulness
But where folks often misunderstand mindfulness in my opinion, is they think it's about getting calmer, when it's actually about being aware, and about being present
Mindfulness is the practice of bringing awareness to the present moment without judgment. It helps individuals observe their thoughts and emotions with curiosity and non-judgment, rather than trying to eliminate or avoid unpleasant experiences. This leads to greater well-being and resilience in the face of challenges. Mindfulness is not just about achieving calmness, but rather cultivating a sense of presence and acceptance towards all experiences
Distinguishing Between the Function and Form of Emotions
It is important to distinguish between the functional aspect of emotions, which refers to how they serve a purpose or achieve a goal, and the experience of the emotion, which refers to the subjective feelings and sensations associated with it.
Emotions, including negative ones like anxiety, can serve a functional purpose in certain situations. Anxiety, for example, can motivate an individual to adequately prepare and focus their efforts when facing a challenging task or event. It's important to remember that emotions are not inherently good or bad, but rather their value depends on how they are used. Instead of trying to eliminate negative emotions, it can be helpful to understand their functional purpose and use them in a constructive way. For example, Rafael Nadal's doubt about his opponents has helped him prepare and not underestimate them, leading to his success at the French Open. By doing so, individuals can learn to harness the power of their emotions to achieve their goals.
The Benefits of Mindfulness Practices
But when you're in a challenging situation, where there's a threat, and in sport there is usually a threat to the ego, then it's actually quite difficult to be calm. And to have what we generally refer to as pleasant emotions.
Mindfulness practices, such as meditation and mindfulness exercises, can help individuals become more aware of their emotions and understand their functional purpose. Through cultivating a sense of presence and non-judgmental awareness, individuals can gain a deeper understanding of their emotional experiences and how to use them in a functional manner. This can enable individuals to better navigate and respond to challenging situations, rather than reacting blindly to their emotions. By incorporating mindfulness into their lives, individuals can learn to use their emotions to their advantage and improve their overall well-being.
About Dr. Peter Haberl
Dr. Peter Haberl joined the United States Olympic Committee in 1998 as a research assistant in sport psychology. In 2000, he was named a USOC sport psychologist and then promoted to senior sport psychologist in 2004. In his current position as senior sport psychologist, he provides both individual and team consultations and counseling sessions to various resident and national team athletes with a specific specialization in team sports.
He previously worked with the U.S. Women’s National Ice Hockey Team from 1996-2006, providing sport psychology services at three Olympic Winter Games and five International Ice Hockey Federation Women’s World Championships. Overall, he has served Team USA athletes at eight Olympic Games, three Pan American Games and one Paralympic Games.
Born in Austria, Haberl previously played professional ice hockey for his native country. He received his bachelor’s degree in sports science from the University of Vienna, Austria, and later earned his master's degree in counseling and his Ed.D.in counseling psychology at Boston University. A licensed psychologist, Haberl focuses on mindfulness-based interventions and cognitive-behavioral treatments.
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Mindfulness w/ Dr. Peter Haberl (Part 1)