What can you learn from esports psychology?

1 Mindset matters

One of the most important aspects of esports psychology is your mindset, or the way you view your abilities and challenges. A growth mindset is the belief that you can improve your skills through effort and feedback, while a fixed mindset is the belief that your skills are innate and unchangeable. Research shows that a growth mindset can lead to higher motivation, resilience, and performance in esports and other domains. To develop a growth mindset, you should embrace challenges, seek feedback, learn from mistakes, and celebrate progress.

2 Emotions affect performance

Another key factor in esports psychology is your emotional state, or how you feel before, during, and after a game. Emotions can influence your attention, decision-making, communication, and coordination in esports. Some emotions, such as confidence, excitement, and joy, can enhance your performance, while others, such as anxiety, anger, and frustration, can impair it. To manage your emotions effectively, you should be aware of your triggers, use relaxation techniques, practice positive self-talk, and express your feelings constructively.

3 Teamwork makes the dream work

Esports psychology also covers the social aspects of esports, such as teamwork, communication, and leadership. Esports teams need to work together harmoniously, communicate clearly, and support each other to achieve their goals. Teamwork skills can be improved by establishing roles, norms, and goals, building trust and rapport, resolving conflicts, and giving and receiving feedback. Communication skills can be enhanced by using clear and concise language, listening actively, and adapting to different situations and audiences. Leadership skills can be developed by setting a vision, motivating and inspiring others, delegating tasks, and providing guidance and direction.

4 Motivation drives action

Motivation is another crucial element of esports psychology, as it determines why and how you engage in esports activities. Motivation can be intrinsic or extrinsic, depending on whether you play for your own enjoyment and satisfaction or for external rewards and recognition. Intrinsic motivation is usually more sustainable and beneficial for your performance and well-being than extrinsic motivation. To increase your intrinsic motivation, you should find your passion, set your own goals, seek autonomy and mastery, and have fun.

5 Stress can be managed

Stress is inevitable in esports, as you face various challenges, pressures, and expectations in a competitive environment. Stress can have both positive and negative effects on your performance and well-being, depending on how you perceive and cope with it. Stress can be managed by identifying and reducing the sources of stress, changing your attitude and perspective, using coping strategies, and seeking social support. Coping strategies can be problem-focused or emotion-focused, depending on whether you try to solve the problem or regulate your emotions.

6 Well-being is essential

The last but not least aspect of esports psychology is your well-being, or how you feel and function in your esports and non-esports life. Well-being can be influenced by many factors, such as your physical health, mental health, relationships, and lifestyle. Well-being can be enhanced by taking care of your body, mind, and soul, balancing your esports and non-esports activities, and finding meaning and purpose in your life. Well-being can also improve your performance and enjoyment in esports, as well as prevent burnout and other negative outcomes.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?