This page may not be current after our website move. Please contact the following person if you have any questions: Rugby Safe Medical & First Aid | Oxfordshire RFU

 

Oxfordshire RFU will pay for one person in each of our clubs to take the online UK Coaching – Mental Health Awareness for Sport and Physical Activity Course. We encourage ALL clubs to please get one person to take this course before the end of March. You can claim the cost back by contacting our secretary Karen East who will arrange reimbursement with you. The link to the course is here: https://www.coaching.org/courses/learn-at-home/mental-health-awareness-for-sport-plus

 

In the coming weeks clubs will be contacted about a further mental health course (likely webinar based) that we will be rolling out to clubs. One place for each club will be paid for by Oxfordshire RFU. Please look out for information which will follow shortly. We anticipate the course to be held in the next two months.

 

 

Mental Health Tips

 

Here are our top 15 tips for keeping a healthy mind and a good wellbeing:

#1 Look After Your Physical Health

Look for local running clubs on apps such as Strava, where you can build a community around exercise. Search for dance classes on Fixr. Youtube is filled with accounts providing huge numbers of free exercise classes. Building little habits to take care of your body, such as drinking a bottle of water in the morning, can also provide a comforting sense of routine.

#2 Talk to Your University / School / Employer Wellbeing Services or your Sports Coach

If you’re really struggling, reach out to someone. Universities / Schools / Employers and Sports Clubs (including our rugby clubs) will have people who you can talk to. They might provide advice you’d never even think of.

#3 Be Kind to Yourself

It’s completely normal to be finding it hard to stay productive in lockdown. Don’t be too hard on yourself if you don’t get everything done! Decide on a small number of tasks you’re going to tackle each day instead.

#4 Talk

Don’t be scared to ask – most people will be more than willing to listen and help you manage your mental health.  It feels good just to share your feelings with someone.

#5 Remember You’re Not Alone

It can be tempting to wonder if other people are handling the lockdown more effectively. Some people might even appear to be enjoying it on their social media but remember we ALL have good days and bad days.

#6 Know Your Stress Triggers

Learn from your past experience of bad days and know what it is that makes you feel good and what makes you stressed.

#7 Get a Good Night’s Sleep

Sleep can make the world of difference. You can think clearer, you have more energy and your mood is brightened. Try to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep a night and go to bed and wake up at a similar time each day.  Avoid screens and heavy meals an hour before bed.

#8 Eat a Balanced Diet

It can be tricky to eat your 5 a day! Some easy and tasty veg options include sweet potato fries and mayo, roasted veg with tofu, and peppers and hummus. Try to get a good balance of carbohydrate, protein, dairy and fruit and vegetables in your diet and don’t wait too long between meals. Visit the NHS website for more help on healthy eating.

#9 Develop Coping Skills

Websites like Mind have great information on developing your resilience and challenging negative thoughts. Remember that it’s often not the situation that’s the problem, but your perception of the situation.

#10 Get Organised

Make a list, pen and paper or by using an app. Not only will slowly checking it all off bring you a sense of gratification, but being on top of things will reduce stress.

#11 Strengthen Your Relationships

Call friends regularly and arrange socially distanced walks. Having a laugh, whilst sharing your woes, will remind you that you aren’t alone and cheer you up too.

#12 Don’t Bottle Things Up

Remember that it’s totally normal to be finding things hard right now! You are certainly not the first to struggle with your mental health. You don’t need to keep everything to yourself. Your feelings are important and valid and you’ll feel better once they’re off your chest.

#13 Try Something New

Look into free courses on FutureLearn, cook some new recipes, try a new exercise or learn songs on the guitar. Keeping your mind busy will provide you with a distraction and a sense of accomplishment.

#14 Know Your Symptoms When You’re Not Feeling Good

It might help to keep a journal where you write down how you’re feeling and your bodily symptoms when you’re down or anxious. That way, when those symptoms next appear, you’ll know how to handle them.

#15 Keep in Contact With Family and Home Friends

Being apart from loved ones is especially difficult right now, so make sure you keep in touch. Reminding yourself that you have a social network of people that care for you can make you feel more calm too.