Champion darts players share tips to stay in control

Tuesday 29th April

50% want to know more techniques for dealing with life’s pressures
Professional darts players Stephen Bunting and Nathan Aspinall, and sports psychologist Dr Josie Perry share their tips for staying in control under pressure. Watch the video here. Two-thirds want to stay more in control of their finances in 2025 and beyond
A smart meter is one tool that can help, with half of owners saying it helps them feel more in control of their energy use

Across Britain, over half of households are experiencing a lack of control in some aspect of life, with many looking for new ways to deal with the pressure.

New data from Smart Energy GB has revealed that 56% of Brits feel out of control in at least one area, with physical health (33%), work (29%) and personal finances (28%) the things that they are struggling with the most.

But determination to overcome this struggle is high, with half of those surveyed (50%) saying that they want to know more techniques for dealing with the pressures of life.

In response, Smart Energy GB has teamed up with former World Champion darts player Stephen Bunting, European Tour winner Nathan Aspinall, and sports psychologist Dr Josie Perry to highlight some of the techniques used by elite sportspeople, that can be used day-to-day. Watch the video here.

Both darts players utilise many techniques to stay calm and focused in high-pressure competitive moments, and the public is keen to know more about them, with more than half (54%) saying they would be open to trying the techniques that help professional sports players stay in control during matches, in everyday life.

Former World champion Stephen Bunting, said:

“Whether I’m at the oche or preparing for a tournament, I know that feeling of being under pressure all too well, and it can get overwhelming. Over time, I’ve learned ways to deal with it, so I can keep calm and stay in control of my game.

“One thing I do that helps me a lot is sticking to a daily routine. Creating healthy habits that work for me means I can make sure I’m consistent, perform at my best and stay in control.”

Household finances have proved a particular worry for many people, with 70% of Brits saying that they feel overwhelmed by the cost of living at least some of the time.

Data is something professional athletes use to monitor their performance and find ways of improving. It’s also readily available for areas of everyday life such as personal finance, through tools like smart meters, which show you exactly how much energy you’re using in near-real time. With this data, households can find simple ways of reducing the energy they use at home and therefore, what they spend.

They also allow households to make the most of energy reward schemes, which encourage and reward customers for using energy at different times of the day.

What’s more, over half (51%) of those who have a smart meter agree that it helps them feel more in control of their energy bills. A separate poll also found that people who say they have saved money with their smart meter estimate it has lowered their bills by an average of £176 per year.⁽¹⁾

Dr Josie Perry, sports psychologist, said:

“I have worked with a lot of athletes and sports players to overcome mental barriers and help them stay in control of their performance, and these techniques can help households day-to-day.

“Identifying one important thing you can do that’s going to reduce pressure when you’re stressed, and focusing on completing that first, will help you get back in control.

“If you’re worried about money, a simple tool that can help manage energy bills more easily is a smart meter. They are installed at no extra cost by your energy supplier and can help you keep track of what you spend.”

Taking charge of household outgoings has also proved important when it comes to wellbeing, with over 4 in 10 respondents to the survey saying they want to feel more in control of their finances to feel less stressed (47%) and happier (43%).

European Tour winner Nathan Aspinall said:

“During competition periods, having a calm mindset is key for blocking out the noise and staying in control. I’ve had to make sure I’m equipped with the right techniques to adapt in any situation.

“For me, it’s important in moments of high-pressure to try and relax both my mind and body so I can think with a clear head and concentrate on what I need to do in that specific situation. It helps to take a step back and a deep breath to compose yourself and then tackle the problem you’re facing.”

Tips for staying in control in sports and everyday life – from sports psychologist Dr Josie Perry

Goal setting: Set goals for yourself, starting with the outcome you want and then with the behaviours that will help you reach it. This helps provide motivation, but also tangible actions to help your goal feel reachable.
Control mapping: Write down your worries in three columns: things you can control, things you can influence and things you have no control over at all. This should help you to proactively focus your attention on things you can control, rather than worrying about things you can’
Habit stacking: Habits are useful for helping our brains not get too overwhelmed with decisions, so try to build positive habits wherever possible. Try ‘habit stacking’ by adding your new behaviour immediately after something you already do often – this will help it to bed in more easily.
Know your triggers: Get to know the ‘threats’ that trigger you to act or think in a negative way, and try to delay making decisions until you are calmer and the logical part of your brain is back in control.
Positive coping mechanisms: Think about the coping mechanisms you currently have when you feel worried or stressed, and reflect on which ones you would like to use in future. This can give you an easier way to stay on track when life feels out of control.
Accountability buddy: Having someone who can help nudge you to stay on the right track, can help make us more consistent with good behaviours and keep us accountable when we start to feel out of control.
Reframing: Our brains are designed to amplify negative thoughts to help us survive. Practice reframing to help you put a more positive (but still true) spin on a situation and focus on the ways in which you can improve things.

Find out more about requesting a smart meter at www.smartenergygb.org.