In brief:Human thought is a complex, sophisticated, amazing, and ongoing process. It cannot be ignored when considering success in sports competition. Until recently, however, mental training has not received as much attention as physical training. This article discusses how athletes may achieve optimal emotional arousal levels in accordance with their specific sports and individual personalities. Self-talk, muscle relaxation, and deep breathing are among the techniques they can use. With practice, athletes can learn to assess and control their emotional arousal level, just as they can improve physical skill with practice. Both result in higher levels of performance.