Soulfit Fundraising for the Lewes Wellbeing Centre
Mental Health Awareness Week - May 2020
Purchase our Fundraising Yoga class with Emily Scott
During Mental Health Awareness Week this year, we were more aware than ever of the feeling of anxiety, overwhelm & isolation many people will have experienced due to the impact of COVID-19.
The Lewes Wellbeing Centre supports people with all aspects of Mental Health - with both diagnosed & un-diagnosed conditions. They offer a range of support for groups run across Lewes, and we continually see the positive impact it offers across our community. Knowing that so many of us are faced with varying levels of mental health such as anxiety, stress & insomnia, we created an event that not only helped our students directly, but also provided much needed funding for the most vulnerable members of our community.
To help us raise funds, the incredible Emily Scott lead a 50-minute yoga practice designed to help us tune in, re-set the nervous system & recharge us. Emily has spoken many times about her own battles with Mental Health & sites yoga (along with many other tools) as a vital part of her daily management. The class is now available to purchase via our On Demand library.
Emily Scott
Emily also recorded a 5-minute guided breath-focused meditation & talked openly about her relationship with depression & yoga:
5-Minute guided meditation
Emily talking openly about Depression & Yoga
Lewes FC Players share their take on life in lockdown
Even our idols are experiencing the mental health challenges of lockdown
Here, as part of our drive to raise awareness for those suffering so much at this time, a few of our much-adored Lewes FC women players share their feelings, emotions &, most importantly, tools for getting through these difficult weeks of lockdown
They’re heartwarming, kind & deeply supportive
Faye Baker/ Goalkeeper
Lockdown life is tough. You feel pressure to ‘change’; ‘learn something new’ or ‘become a better version of yourself’, but realistically just making it through each day can be a challenge
And it’s particularly hard not having the structure of football, so calling loved ones, doing quizzes with friends & Face-Timing family has been amazing for me
I have also spent a lot of time outdoors, appreciating the small things - the sun shining, the birds singing & the picturesque walks. Another go-to is exercise - a run, bike ride, HITT session or walk can really clear your mind & improve your mood
It’s important to realise that life is not ‘normal’ right now & there is no pressure to ‘improve’, just focus on making it through each day with gratitude & a smile!
Charley Boswell/ Defender
Lockdown for me has been an eye opener. I'm more aware than ever of myself, others & the environment - which can at times be overwhelming
My biggest challenge has been continuing to work throughout this period, beginning a new job & being thrown straight into a hospital setting. I try to use each day to find a positive, even the smallest thing, in somebody/something. Because there really is so much goodness if we take the time to look
There’re days when it's all got too much & issues in our personal lives still exist – even in lockdown. I've tried to settle any uneasiness by allowing myself to feel whatever emotion is within me - sleep if I'm tired, cry if I'm sad & laugh ALOT when I'm energised & happy. But most importantly to talk. Talk to anyone - pick up the phone, send a letter or email, use video calls to see friends & family
I've exercised & tried to keep routine with the same groups to make me feel like I'm still part of 'the team'. I've also tried keeping a journal to document each day. As a reminder to myself that each day we're doing okay, & that's enough.
Sammy Quayle/ Defender
Lockdown has been a really strange & mentally tough time. Not being able to play football or see my family has made some days feel really hard. I’ve tried to learn new things & keep busy, but some days even these seem impossible.
A routine has really helped me. I’ve also turned into a Quiz-Master with my team mates & family, and spoken more over the phone than ever before - all of which helps me feel positive & excited to see everyone again
A big go-to has been exercise - some days feel like ‘bad days’, but going out for a nice walk around the South Downs almost clears my mind. I’ve started to learn how to appreciate the quiet & the outdoors, which is something I always took for granted. Doing runs along a picturesque route & group HIIT sessions online with friends has particularly helped - a balance between training & social has almost felt like normal training sessions!
With it being such a strange time, well-being is extremely important. Take any pressures off yourself and try and enjoy each day as it comes!
Katie Rood/ Centre Forward
It’s as if the suffering of the world is compounded right now & people are more aware of it than ever. Often, it’s overwhelming, but I find solace in nature, soaking up the sunshine & watching wildlife take back what was once theirs.
I do feel a bit of pressure to make the most of this time to try & change the world for the better… But I realise the only way I can do that is by taking care of myself & the environment around me
I’m aiming to embrace my compassion & empathy, to let the tears flow without judgement, whilst also acknowledging & trying to understand the complexities of my privilege.
There’s a lot to be concerned about, but staying present & grateful helps me tune in to what I value most
The simple kindness in the friendly smiles from strangers on the street help remind me of that
Lewes FC & Soulfit
Mental Health Awareness Campaign
welcome to our page designed to kick off a conversation about mental health launched in february 2020
in association with lewes fc & the fa’s heads up campaign
#HeadsUp #KickOffAConversation
“I have a long & illustrious history with depression & OCD...”
“I’d like to say that I manage it completely with yoga, breathwork, healthy eating & exercise, but the truth is I can’t do any of that without taking an anti-depressant.
Yoga & living healthily help me greatly with anxiety & OCD, but when I’m depressed, no amount of downward dogs can get me out of the fetal position. I take my meds, I try to eat well, I rarely drink, I exercise, & I safeguard my alone time to make sure my nervous system doesn’t get out of whack”
“I’ve had a battle with depression since my teenage years...”
“It was my yoga practice that taught me how to approach the bad days with a new perspective, knowing that through movement I could balance my body & most importantly my emotions. My yoga mat became my sanctuary & being part of a studio gave me a sense of community & belonging”
“My mental health challenge is to stay with the inevitable suffering in life...”
“I tackle this by acknowledging the ever-changing nature of being”
“Feeling the weight of the world... The amount of unnecessary suffering really gets to me at times. Seeing what we as humans do to the earth, to the animals & to each other really gets me down...”
“I find that taking action is the best way to get through the feelings of helplessness. When it gets really tough I realise that I need to take care of myself so that I can give my best to the world”
“The demands of playing semi-professional football, studying a full-time MSc in sport psychology & a part-time job were overwhelming. I was getting stressed, struggling to switch off & sleep – which made the situation worse, & I was unable to play football & study at my best...”
“Even though I have very little free time, whenever possible I try to attend yoga classes or get out of the house & go for a walk. This is an opportunity to give my brain a break & definitely helps me get through stressful times”
“Transitioning from a full-time career in the military to civilian life is still something I struggle with – lack of structure & uncertainty is worse some days because of coming from such a steady environment...”
“Coping strategies I use are to speak to my mum, write it down or if I can I’ll go to the beach to listen to the water against the shoreline. My previous job involved being at sea, so I find peace looking at & listening to the sea”
“The act of balancing football, work & life. Ensuring I am not stretched too thinly, making sure I can give my all to each area of life. I want to be present & enjoy life whilst coping with the demands, which can have a physical & mental toll on me”
“Making sure I prioritise. I have to take time for myself. I can do this in a number of ways. Sometimes just stopping & having a day where I have nothing to do but take care of myself is needed. I like to have time alone either in the gym or just chilling out. I also try to take the opportunity to go home to Wales, whenever possible”
“Struggling with the ongoing grief after losing a parent...”
“Understanding & being mindful of the fact this is not a quick fix, nor is it ever something that will be mended. As life progresses we grow & develop strategies to help ease the pain. It’s ok to be sad, to need space & to feel everything is too difficult some days!
Be delicate with yourself & allow yourself the time & space needed to reflect & grieve. Know that this pain is building strength you could never have imagined finding. And take comfort in knowing that the love you felt will never leave you.
Do not be afraid to lean on people, to talk about the loss & share the tough times with the people close to you.
Grief has no rules, no time frame & no limits”
“Everybody has mental health, & we all manage it in different ways. Football Therapy is a Mental Wellbeing session that is supported by the Southdown Housing & Sussex County FA...”
“These sessions have a qualified coach & a peer to peer support worker, so you can turn up & just play football & have a chat, if you like, with someone who can help signpost you in the right direction for help.
We also have a team that competes in the Pan Disability League. This is a really informal, fun session”
Soulfit was opened following our own experiences of managing our stress levels. We know first hand how important it is to make time for ourselves. How this fast-paced, digitally-fuelled world isn’t ever going to slow down. How things are escalating, and how the days when our to-do lists were actually completed are long-gone.
For us, exercise is an incredible remedy. As you can see from the beautiful, raw & down-right frank quotes above, it isn’t the total solution. But it plays a major part in helping so many of us get through the day - it raises our heart-rate, triggers the flood of natural endorphins & helps calm our central nervous system.
As part of this campaign, the Lewes FC Women players; their management team; our Soulfit Yoga teachers; members of the Lewes Wellbeing Centre & our customers wanted to share some vital thoughts, quotes & experiences with you. We hope they’ll trigger some constructive thoughts, give you support & perhaps help you make it through your next period of challenge. The biggest message from us… we’re all facing daily mental health challenges. However poker-faced or perfect or together we appear, be rest-assured, we’re as in it as the next person. So do not assume the social media profile is the honest reflection. Knock on the door. Pick up the phone. Send a message. #KickOffAConversation …and take some time to figure out what could be the best remedy for you, to help you through the next day… There are plenty of us here ready to talk, listen & help - just use the links below or give us a shout if you’re not sure who’s the best person is to speak to.
Top 5 Tips to help manage your mental health:
BREATHE DEEP
SLEEP EASY
MOVE
SHARE
NOURISH
Rhian Cleverly; Centre Back, Lewes FC - “Yes these themes are spot on. For me the first thing I did when I was really stressed/overwhelmed was stop doing the important things that help me stay healthy & perform at my best in sport & studies. By taking an extra hour to sleep, cook a proper meal, go out & exercise or socialise with friends you will find yourself more energised and able to work more efficiently throughout the rest of the day!”
Annie Timoney; Fullback, Lewes FC - “These tips are excellent & a reminder of the importance of achieving life’s basics to help regain mental peace. Don’t try & do all at once or you will overwhelm yourself, try to incorporate one & have it solid for a few days, then add another to build up gradually”.
Charley Boswell: Fullback/Wingback, Lewes FC - “Great themes! Sleeping well & eating properly are important. Having my dog Daisy really helps me getting out to clear my head! Popping out for half hour for a coffee is always a positive! And never be afraid to send at least a text message if it’s too hard to talk, just let someone know you need them - it’s good to share.
Never feel like you’ve failed if you set yourself any of these goals & don’t achieve them instantly! Keep trying”.
Ella Powell; Fullback/Winger, Lewes women FC - “I agree with these themes 100%. I always feel better when I get out & work through stuff in the gym, but having a full nights sleep can make me feel a lot better too. What I would add is make time for the people in your life. Along the lines of share, use the people around you & remind yourself you have support & you are loved”.
Ellie Leek: Attacker, Lewes FC - “I love all these tips & actively do use majority of them. What helped me the most was being able to accept myself without football, just as a regular person. I did this by reminding myself daily what I was grateful for & what I likeabout myself - Example: I’m grateful for my Family, Partner, Health etc.. I like that I’m Empathetic, Honest, Compassionate”
Faye Baker; Goalkeeper, Captain, Lewes FC - “These 5 top tips promote positive mental health. I use some of them frequently! It is so important to get a good nights sleep, and this can be difficult when your mind will not switch off. Be comfortable with your feelings & recognise what your body needs, I’m not afraid to get my tears out before I fall asleep as I know the next morning I will wake up feeling refreshed.
On tough days I talk. I learnt quickly that bottling things up caused me more stress & pain. I am lucky to be supported, & it’s important to realise people care! Exercising helps clear the mind & release positive endorphins, some days you may feel like thats the last thing you can face doing, but you will never regret working out, it leaves you feeling free & allows you to focus”.
Katie Rood; Striker, Lewes FC - “I find that getting outside out into nature is an immediate relief. It makes me feel present and grateful. Putting my phone down and switching off from technology is also helpful. Spending quiet time with myself is when I get inspired and want to create things that generate positivity and awareness to those who encounter it”.
I like to think of it as a stress/mental health bucket that is constantly filled up with the trials & tribulations of life. They can be regularly overflowed by something big or something very little, depending on how full the bucket already is. If overflowed, the results could be anything from getting ill, burnout, injured, mental breakdown etc…”
“As a way to manage it I think it's important to know what fills up your bucket. What can drain it, or mop it up, if it does overflow i.e. what takes your energy away and what gives you energy. Within sport we are working in a highly challenging & stressful environment, so it is expected that people's buckets will be pretty full & will likely need a mop on hand. For me reconnecting with loves ones, exercising, watching live sport etc. gives me energy & are strategies to drain my bucket or mop it up - but it can be different for everyone”.
Lewes Wellbeing Centre - click here for details
Lewes FC Football Therapy team - click here for details
