Anonymous Story

1. What personal experiences with mental health do you have? Either with yourself, people in your field or friends.

Mental health is a hot topic of conversation nowadays. Of course this doesn’t mean that in the past nothing has been going on in people’s heads. Of course not. But it means that now we have an environment in the UK where it is OK to talk about not feeling 100% without feeling like you are unable to do anything about it or that people won’t understand. This is a good thing, definitely. However, I still think there is a great strength in being able to withstand difficulties that come onto your plate, into your brain or that you have to deal with. Life is tough. Everyone knows it and experiences crap things on relative levels for many different things. And some days/week/months you just have to suck it up and take on the challenges of the world, knowing that failure is a possibility with every step. I’m not saying people should keep everything in – no, far from it. But I’m also saying that I admire people who take the crap that comes at them, or the difficulties in their head, and carry on with great strength and courage. Well done to you with as much gusto as saying well done to those who speak everything out in public. 

2. How do you feel sport/fitness affects mental health? 

I feel sport and exercise is a key method of helping mental health. Not only is it good for us because of endorphin secretion, giving us that ‘feel good factor’, but it is fantastic for people to get some structure and order to lives where chaos reigns. As with many things, the ‘everything in moderation’ mantra is too true with exercise. That is, too much order or structure, too greater feeling of dependence on exercise being needed all the time is a negative factor. So, it is not for everyone; but for many people it is a fantastic addition to life to help with mental health. It is, at the very least, a great starting point for people to try if they’re looking to help themselves and their mental health.