Daily Mindfulness Is Associated With Recovery Processes Among Coaches—A 4-Week Diary Study

Abstract

Sport coaching is a profession that is often demanding and one in which psychological burnout is problematic. Recovery from work demands is known to be important in preventing burnout, but research has paid little attention to short-term recovery for coaches. The present study therefore focused on day-to-day recovery. Specifically, the authors investigated the role of mindfulness in recovery, given previously established empirical relationships between mindfulness and recovery processes. The authors used an intensive diary study design to gather daily data from a sample of 46 sport coaches, over a period of 28 consecutive days. Multilevel modeling allowed data analysis at the intraindividual level, providing insights into daily recovery processes for individual coaches. The results showed that increases in daily mindfulness, relative to coaches’ individual mean levels, were predictive of higher levels of recovery-related variables (energy and mood) through mechanisms of reduced rumination and improved sleep. The present study highlights mindfulness as a potential path to daily recovery and the prevention of burnout among coaches. The study lays groundwork for the investigation of mindfulness training as a recovery-promoting intervention for coaches, potentially through easily accessible means, such as app-based training delivery and the incorporation of informal mindfulness practice into daily activities.

Effect of mindfulness-based programmes on elite athlete mental health: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…[85] Regardless, all elite athletes operate within a team of support staff. MBPs for elite coaches have been shown to reduce stress and burnout, [86,87] so it is possible that MBPs could have indirect positive effects on athletes' mental health through an improved social climate, cultivated by coaches who model skills that support mental health. [25,83] Trials of MBPs in clinical settings typically prioritise internal validity by ensuring fidelity in terms of the curricula and teachers.…”

Be present now, sleep well later: Mindfulness promotes sleep health via emotion regulation.

“…In the present study, we will compare the connection between trait and state mindfulness with subjective and actigraphy-measured aspects of sleep health to determine which is more influential. Indeed, previous work finds that higher state mindfulness is associated with better sleep quality (Lee et al, 2021;Pawsey et al, 2021) and lower daytime sleepiness (Lee et al, 2021). Higher trait mindfulness has similarly been associated with enhanced sleep quality (Allen & Kiburz, 2012;Howell et al, 2008;Nagy et al, 2022) and lower frequency of posttraumatic stress disorder-related sleep disturbance (Nagy et al, 2022).…”

Bridging Boundaries Between Life and Sport: Exploring Sports Coaches’ Micro Role Transitions

“…Coaches are encouraged to manage their mental health and prepare themselves for peak performance (Carson et al, 2018); pre-performance preparation can be well served by targeting effective micro transitions. For example, rites of transitions (e.g., commuting) and transition scripts can be used to detach from one role (limit rumination), promote effective emotion regulation and mindfulness (enhance stress management), prepare for role entry (goal setting), and cope during coaching practice (reduction of role conflict; Lundkvist et al, 2016a;Pawsey et al, 2021). Previous studies have indicated the effectiveness of mental skills use (e.g., imagery, relaxation, cognitive restructuring) to enhance coaching practice and wellbeing (e.g., Olsen et al, 2020;Olusoga et al, 2014), Thus, incorporating mental skills into rites of transition may support coaches' boundary work.…”