Exclusive: Brighton's Matt O’Riley on Meditation, Mental Strength, and Thriving in the Premier League

Brighton ace Matt O’Riley has revealed his dedication to meditation has been a real blessing in making a smooth transition to Premier League life.

The 24-year-old midfielder joined the Seagulls from Scottish champions Celtic for £25million in August last year.

The former Hoops’ Treble winner has wasted no time in making his mark in his debut season in the top-flight, despite the extreme pressure of playing the best league in the world.

The Seagulls are flying high in ninth spot in the Premier League, having lost only five league games all season and are gunning for European football next season.

“The meditation I do really helps me with everything to be honest,” revealed O’Riley.

Speaking exclusively to SportsBoom.com, he added: “It helps me with football, but it also helps me with life off the pitch as well."

“It just helps me try to be a better human being, that’s probably the main reason I do it. And then that translates on to the football pitch as well."

“It’s something I do daily now, it’s become a way of life because I’ve seen the benefits and also the downside when I don’t do it."

“I’ve always been interesting in meditating, a lot for the last three and a half years, but I was always interested in it when I was 16/17 years old."

“I think by having that natural curiosity towards it opened a few doorways for me."

“Now I’ve got a very unique relationship with a friend and spiritual coach, and we now do a lot of work together."

“In my opinion it is the most important thing, not just for footballers, right? But for all human beings."

“If you’re in a good place mentally then life just seems to be a lot easier."

“That’s why I’m so relentless in my approach with it because I know the effects it has on, not only me, but the people around me.”

HUNGER TO IMPROVE

A six-game unbeaten streak came to a surprising end this weekend with a loss to David Moyes' Everton. O'Riley discussed their recent form, which has included an impressive 3-1 victory over Manchester United before the Everton defeat, and their determination to keep striving for improvement without resting on their laurels.

“I wouldn’t say it’s been a good run, just purely because we like to win games of football,” added O’Riley, who started his professional career with Fulham before a spell with MK Dons in League One and then on to memorable success with Celtic north of the border.

“The last few games have been good in terms of the outcome, but it’s been nice to get some wins after a few draws."

“Once you go on a streak of not winning it can be a bit tough at times."

But how much pressure has the former Fulham youngster put on himself to succeed at the top level?

“I don’t think I’ve put too much pressure on myself to be honest. Maybe a little bit at times at the start, I think it’s only natural to have those thoughts,” he said.

“But I don’t pay too much attention to them because it’s a dangerous route to go down in terms of the pressure side of things."

“It can be quite a constricted way to live life – and that’s not really how I want to approach my football."

“I try to look at it by looking to get better every day and focus my attentions on that. The pressures take care of themselves."

“But I’m really enjoy the challenge this season, it’s been great so far, I’m learning all the time.”