What Otolaryngologists Can Learn from Athletes

Simply pausing and deliberately concentrating on the feeling of your feet on the ground can also lower stress levels. “It is grounding yourself in the present moment, so you are not ruminating on the past or anxious about the future,” Dr. Krane said. “It’s an approach I learned in sports and have definitely taken off the field.”

Increasing your awareness of your level of arousal during surgery (or clinical encounters) can also help you spend more time operating in a flow state, rather than a distracted or anxious one. Dr. Martins teaches her clients about the Yerkes-Dodson law, a psychological principle that describes the intersection of performance and mental arousal (SimplyPsychology. https://tinyurl.com/58fcssre). Up to a certain point, arousal improves performance; beyond that, performance deteriorates. She helps clients identify how they feel when they are both under- and over-aroused and then teaches them techniques they can use to manage their arousal state.

“As we get to know how we experience increased arousal, we can then plan: Okay, when that happens, I’m going to take a deep breath. Or, I’m going to pause for a second and do a quick mental rehearsal of my next move,” Dr. Martins said.

Dr. Dowling learned the value of identifying and sharing your attention or stress level with the rest of your team from UVA sports psychologists, whom he invited to speak to the otolaryngology department. The psychologists taught the physicians in attendance three attention zones: Zone One, a somewhat under-aroused state; Zone Two, a just-right flow state; and Zone Three, an over-stimulated, tense state.

Now, in the OR, if stress is high, Dr. Dowling may say aloud, “I’m feeling a little Zone Three right now.” That simple comment releases some of the tension and creates shared awareness, making it easier for the surgical team to stay aligned. During particularly high-stress moments, Dr. Dowling may put his instruments down and step away from the table for a moment.

“It’s very rare in surgery that you can’t take five seconds to ease the tension in the room, come back into your body, and get yourself into the right headspace,” he said.

Staying in the Game

Stress management and other performance psychology techniques can contribute to career longevity as well. Think about it: Simone Biles’ long gymnastics career is likely directly related to the fact that she prioritizes her mental well-being and cares for both her physical and mental health.