As the first signs of post-lockdown life slowly surface, surprisingly for many it is proving difficult to imagine how the transition out of lockdown and into a regular schedule will play out. A lot of this is rooted in the reduction of stimulus and the loss of ability to see first-hand how the world has changed. Even beginning to comprehend what the world might be when we re-engage in it again has been hard. These thought processes can be tiring and unsettling, which is entirely normal when there is so much change and uncertainty around us.
It’s really important that as we immerse ourselves back into old routines, or begin to find new ones, we keep our thoughts in check. If we are able to master the skill of challenging some of our worry or negative thinking we will become much better at being able to manage how we feel and behave. This will enable us to communicate better and become more solutions-focused about the future because we are calm and more able to think clearly
At Mental Health UK we talk about the concept of taking your thoughts to court which is based on the principles of cognitive behavioural therapy. It asks you to consider what you believe and why you believe it. By examining the evidence for and against a thought we can challenge negative thinking. You can find out more about how to use the technique with this short video:
Hints and tips:
- Remember that the pandemic has affected everyone. Every athlete’s ability to train and compete has changed and while this might not be equal on all plains, the recovery and rebuild is something that we all have to go through together.
- Be kind to yourself. There is no set of tactics for keeping competition ready through a lockdown and so there is no right or wrong way you should be doing it. Continue to take time to think about what you need for your mental health as much as your physical health.
- Try to avoid second guessing what other people might be thinking. It’s highly likely that as you return to the pitch, pool or field others will less likely be thinking about your performance and more about their own.
If you are generally feeling quite comfortable or even optimistic about the future, then have a little look around at your teammates, coaches and other support staff to see if they are (really) ok. You could recommend this technique to them and by simply opening up the conversation you might be giving someone the opportunity to talk openly for the first time