Yesterday we took a look at BBACs commitment to mental health and wellbeing. Today we go back to our Mental Wellbeing Ambassador, Jennie for some simple Mental Health Tips. This week is National Mental Health Awareness Week and so we wanted to share some information on how the Beagles are focused on achieving a balance of mental and physical health for our athletes through the activities of club.

This is the last in a series of articles we will be publishing this week to help explain the positive culture we want to cultivate at the club. If you have any questions about the content of our articles this week or want any further support, please do reach out to our mental wellbeing ambassador Jennie – jennie@beagles.org.uk

#IveBeenThere

BBAC Easy Tips for Staying on Top of Your Mental Wellbeing

  1. Speak up! If you ever have an issue playing on your mind, just tell someone – be that a friend, a colleague, a teacher, a parent, your coach, our wellbeing ambassador or a charity organisation such as Childline, Mind or the Samaritans. It’s true that a problem shared is a problem halved and talking about it often helps to discover another perspective. Sometimes that’s all that is needed to see an issue for what it truly is and not the huge problem we often imagine it to be.
  2. Spend time outside – Spending time outside can help improve your mood and reduce feelings of stress, frustration and anger. Fresh air and the sounds of the outdoors can be incredibly soothing and help to refocus and reset our headspace to be calmer.
  3. Get some rest – sleep matters! Try and have a clear routine around going to bed – be consistent in the time you go to sleep and the time you wake up! Don’t watch lots of tv or use devices immediately before sleeping. Consider reading instead, having a bath or doing some personal pampering (e.g a soak, a hot towel or a facemask)
  4. Eat well and drink lots of water. The average human needs 6-8 glasses of water a day – more for an athlete training regularly! That’s actual water not tea / coffee / fruit juices etc. You can liven it up by adding cucumber or lemon or other fruits. Dehydration is a real issue for many athletes and that’s why we always ensure we are drinking water regularly throughout training. Likewise eating properly is key – fruit and vegetables are important as is avoiding too much sugar or fatty foods. 
  5. Get some exercise – doing something everyday that raises your heart rate and gets your blood pumping round your body will help keep you mentally well. It doesn’t need to be a full on, planned sports session – a walk around the field at lunchtime with your friends or throwing a frisbee about can be just as effective as doing something more organised. 
  6. Try mindfulness – Mindfulness is a way of paying attention to the present moment, using techniques like meditation, breathing exercises and yoga. It’s been shown to help people become more aware of their thoughts and feelings. Apps such as Balance and Headspace can offer guided mindfulness and a whole range of tips and techniques to get you started.