It is not the start of the New Year anybody would have hoped for, but people’s safety and well-being have to come first.
Unfortunately, this is at the expense of many students who have already been through a challenging year during 2020.
At RightTrack, we continue to work with elite student-athletes. Through our experience, both academically and competitively, we can relate to the emotional turbulence that students are experiencing right now.
Our philosophy has not changed despite circumstances, as we have always believed that the students’ well-being is firstly the priority for all our consultants when interacting with athletes.
Honesty, personability, and professionalism is our ethos in interacting with athletes, whether with one of our illustrious Team GB athletes who competed at the 2019 European U20 and U23 championships, or an amateur rugby player who is hoping to pursue an education through sport in the US.
Which is why we have come up with some tips to help guide students through protecting their mental health during a new set back.
Stick to a routine
As difficult as it may be during a lockdown, try and set the alarm, get out of bed, get dressed, and make the learning day as normal as possible.
Natural light
If possible, try and schedule in getting natural light into your routine. It is easy to slip into a habit of lounging around playing on your Christmas Playstation 5 and FIFA all day. Still, studies demonstrate that natural light can boost your morale and lead to lower levels of depression and anxiety. Go for a lunchtime walk outdoors, or even pace your desk by a window with the blinds open.
Balanced diet
Ensure you are eating a well-balanced diet, and focus on giving your body the nutrients it needs to benefit yourself both physically and mentally.
LIMIT SOCIAL MEDIA
Whilst it is easy to spend hours each day on social media scrolling through pictures, there is evidence which shows how negatively it can impact your mental health. Now, we are not saying get off social media but, try and limit the time you spend aimlessly scrolling. The circumstances we face currently means we are inundated with a continuous flow of negative news which can be quite overwhelming. It is okay to take a break and switch off once in a while!
Do not be scared to reach out.
Do not ever feel like you are alone, and remember your feelings are worthy of being expressed and heard by people. If you think you are in a low place, reach out to a friend, a teacher, a parent, or catch up with one of our consultants. Now, this will not be someone professionally trained to give you a solution, but it can be the start of tackling the inner demons and ensuring yourself that you are not alone. If you feel like you need further help, use the following links below for organisations that you can reach out to for professional help or online material designed to manage your mental health.
The Sanctus Mental Health Directory – Sanctus
Shout 85258 – free, 24/7 mental health text support in the UK | Shout 85258 (giveusashout.org)
Mind | Mind, the mental health charity – help for mental health problems
YoungMinds – children and young people’s mental health charity
