Mental health issues are more common than people think, 1 in 4 people in the UK will experience a mental health problem each year. More specifically, 3.3 out of 100 people suffer from depression, 5.9 out of 100 people suffer from Generalised anxiety disorder, 4.4 out of 100 people suffer from PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) and 7.8 people suffer from mixed anxiety and depression.

The way in which we are dealing with mental health issues has worsened as there are higher reports of self-harm or having suicidal thoughts have increased. 7.3 out of 100 people self-harm and 6.7 out of 100 have attempted suicide.

I know that may sound very doom and gloom and I myself have experienced anxiety and depression as a result of traumatic family events. However, sport and exercise have always been a very good way to cope with things as it is an escape, I used to play football, water polo, karate and currently I am a rower, regardless of these sports being physically and mentally draining it was overcoming that barrier and finishing the task, whether that be to score the winning goal or cross the finish line first, it always felt like I had achieved something. Even when I didn’t win the event I felt good, participating in sport made me more confident in my body and myself. Especially now as a rower it is a very therapeutic sport, yes it is extremely difficult, technically and physically but when you’re on the water and it’s just you and the environment nothing beats it in my opinion.

I was gonna go on about sports teams but I’ll save that for next time!

I’ll probably post again tomorrow but I’ve got training so who knows 😊

Any feedback would be helpful.