Mental Health Awareness Week 2021

'Nature'

 This year’s Mental Health Awareness Week is running from 10-16 May 2021 and the theme this year is ‘nature’. Physical exercise and nature work hand in hand in promoting a positive mental wellbeing. Nature is the theme of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week as nature is so central to our psychological and emotional health and it’s not just being in nature, but it is how we open ourselves up and interact with nature that counts. Getting outside and doing physical activity is a great way to step outside and interact with nature, and it is something we have all found ourselves doing a lot more of recently as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and national lockdowns. ‘Exercising’ can be a daunting word for many but it doesn’t have to be. Exercising doesn’t have to be an intense run or bike ride, it can be something as simple as going for a walk. With many of us living in halls and flats and not having access to a garden, and therefore less likely to connect with nature. It should be emphasized that nature is not a luxury, it is a resource that must be available for everyone to enjoy. SportBU therefore encourage you to step outside today take a walk, a run, or a bike ride and connect with the outdoors. As the end of the academic year is upon us, exercising outside is more important than ever, take a break from studies and connect with nature.

 SportBU's Elissa and her Triathlon training.

SportBU’s Elissa is training for a triathlon that will be taking place in Oxford on August 11th. Elissa has said from a personal point of view, ‘Training for this triathlon has really given me the opportunity to get outside a lot, connect with nature and work hard towards a goal. Working two jobs, one at SportBU and another at a school, I am very busy. I’m always careful I don’t overwork myself and therefore getting outside and going for a run or going out on the bike gives me that much needed break I need from my everyday life. From the continuing increase of training, I have also been able to explore Bournemouth and my surrounding areas much more. I have been living in Bournemouth for 7 years and thanks to this triathlon I been able to see more of Bournemouth from discovering new running trails to exploring the wider county on the bike. Come May when I begin open water training, I’ll be able to connect even more with nature and more specifically the ocean. All of this is having such a positive effect on my mental health and I don’t feel as bogged down with work and pressure because of the triathlon training’.

 'Take Action, Get Active' and the BRIT Challenge 2021!

 The Mental Health Foundation have a challenge taking place throughout the month of May called ‘Take Action, Get Active’ and SportBU encourage you to take part. The challenge consists of completing 30 minutes of exercise a day, your way! You can run, jog, walk, skip – be as creative as you like. Additionally, BU have registered for the BRIT Challenge 2021. You can support the challenge by completing 2.21 miles in any way you wish, whether that be walk, swim, cycle, paddle or even a workout. The challenge will run from 10th-16th May and is a great opportunity to get involved with this year’s Mental Health Awareness week and connect with nature. To get involved with this head over to Team BU’s Instagram page! We cannot wait to take on the challenge together! All in aid of a very important cause!

Precor - self care and motivation.

 Please visit the following link which has been put together by our gym machine provider, Precor, for self care and motivation tips - https://www.precor.com/en-gb/resources/coaching-center/how-self-care-and-keep-motivated