Do you ever believe you are your thoughts? Do you often take your thoughts way too seriously? If so you'll enjoy today's podcast episode as my guest, Keagen Hadley author of Torn: Overcoming the Psychological Challenges Post-ACL Injury talks about using Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT) as a potentially helpful solution. Specifically we discuss cognitive defusion as a way to help you create distance from your thoughts.

Key Learning Points:

• Cognitive Fusion is concerned with the mess our thoughts in relation to our identity can have where our thoughts can often dominate our reality.
• Examples include; "I am broken", "I am rubbish…"
• Mastering cognitive defusion can help you create distance from your thoughts and see things from a fresh perspective.
• Cognitive defusion goes on to promote psychological flexibility and empowers you to relate to your situation and thought processes with greater openness and adaptability.
• One approach you could take to help you is to smile at yourself and your situation as it can help you make peace and shift your perspective.
• When you perform and see red mist, slowing down, taking a slow walk can also be a useful way to take the sting out of the situation.

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BOOK: Torn Overcoming Psychological Challenges Post ACL

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To Listen to the Full Podcast Episodes

Ep092: Dr James Hegarty – ACT in Sport, Improving Performance through Mindfulness

Ep124: Dr Keagan Hadley – Long Term Injuries: How to Confront Difficult Thoughts and Emotions

Ep205: Dr Carl Bescoby – Rehabilitation And Returning To Sport: How To Support Injured Athletes

Ep235: Trevor Jones - How To Use ACT To Improve Your Coaching In Sport #BITESIZE

Ep236: Dr James Hegarty - How To Use ACT and Mindfulness When You've Got Lots Of Time To Think #BITESIZE