We all know when we play sport we need to look after our bodies… but it is also important to look after our minds.
Good mental health is a state of mind that lets us to be able to cope with life’s ups and downs. It is normal to experience a wide variety of emotions, including those that are negative. When those negative emotions go on for weeks or months, or impact our day-to-day activities, like sport or connecting with friends, that they may be a sign of a mental health condition.
Some things that might be signs someone’s mental health is not doing so well are:
- Changes to their ‘typical’ mood or personality. They may be more irritable, sad, angry or worried than they usually are.
- Lose of interest in things they usually enjoy, or not finding the pleasure in them
- Low self-esteem or having a poor view of themselves
- Having trouble concentrating or paying attention. Their performance whilst playing sport might drop.
- Withdraw from others, not wanting not contact or spend time with people as much.
- Change to appetite or weight
- Having trouble sleeping
- Change in appear, not taking care of themselves as well
- Saying usual, distressing or troubling thoughts
- Expressing feelings that life is hopeless
If your know someone that shows some of these signs and would like some advice you can go to he following websites:
https://www.beyondblue.org.au/the-facts/supporting-someone
https://www.ruok.org.au/how-to-ask
How you look after your mental health is unique to you.
The image below could help you get some ideas for you.
