Winter is here. Some strange people actually prefer winter to the summer. Whereas some people really struggle with their mental health in the winter months. It may be due to the lack of vitamin D the sun provides, the cold days, dark nights, a change of routine, or something else entirely. Oh, and this time round, we can add lockdown in too. Now it’s very difficult to keep up with the different lockdown rules across the UK. But at this present moment, I’m pretty sure each country is doing something different entirely. I can’t wait for the day when my blog posts won’t involve COVID, but the reality is that COVID is hitting us hard and affecting our mental health. It’s turning our lives upside-down. And that’s what these upside-down-time blog posts are about; how to deal with those upside-down feelings.

This November, I want to share with you four simple words that were recently shared with me. Four simple words that allow you to stop, think, and perhaps alter your perception. And they are “shift your focus outward”. And I’m going to explain those four words with three topics.

Social Connectedness:

Years of psychological research has found that positive relationships are a protective factor for our mental health and are the key to happiness. As cheerleaders, we have a ready-made social support network around us, our teammates! We may not be able to give them a hug every session, or even be in the gym to see them right now, but we have the gift of technology to maintain those relationships.

How does this relate to shifting your focus outward? We can wallow in self-pity all we want, but it’s not going to make us feel any better. Shift your focus to your friends, your family, colleagues and teammates. You are there to support the people in your life, just as they will be there to support you. How are they doing? How can you help them? Can you share a joke or funny story? Coronavirus restrictions have made it very difficult to maintain those relationships, but not impossible. Can you host a Zoom quiz, a virtual social, or a virtual coffee morning?

A sense of purpose:

A really great quote to describe this is “if you can find a purpose for your suffering, you can tolerate all the pain that comes with it”. Just as our muscles suffer in training so we can shine in competition, we suffer through lockdown so we can go back into the real world/the cheer gym (because the gym is where it’s at). Having a purpose gives us a reason to wake up in the morning. How much easier is it to wake up at 7am for school or work, then waking up at 7am on your day off? Near impossible if you have no purpose waking up at 7am (well, for me it is anyway). Whether your purpose is cheerleading, volunteering, your career or being there for others. Have a purpose that you’re passionate about.

Inspiration:

This is more difficult to find. What is the reason for your purpose? Is it the joy you feel or is it a bigger picture idea? Think of your morals and values. Whilst thinking of the bigger picture and our goals for the future may help us stay motivated, it’s important we live in the present. This lockdown may feel pants now, but it’s unlikely we’re going to get another time like this where we can really focus on ourselves, inside and out. Learn to love your quirks, learn to love your body and everything it does for us, learn to be your own inspiration, because you deserve it!

 It can be difficult to keep your motivation, and that leads me onto this month’s wellbeing exercise:

Gratitude:

The Oxford dictionary describes gratitude as “the feeling of being grateful and wanting to express your thanks”. Some people find it helpful to keep what is known as a gratitude journal. This can be done at the beginning of the day, or the end of the day, or both. And it’s where you note down three things you are grateful for that day. Whether it’s having your favourite breakfast, a snuggle with your dog, or a meaningful conversation you had with someone that day. It’s to remind us that even during the darkest of days, there is light to be hopeful for. There will be times when we struggle to even think of one thing to be grateful for, especially in lockdown! If you’re stuck inside because of the weather, aren’t you grateful for the roof over your head? Try and flip your perspective.

For some people, a gratitude journal is just what they need. For others, it may be a case of just thinking in your head of 3 things before going to sleep at night. You may even what to try a gratitude letter, which can be directed at one person. You don’t ever have to send the letter, but then again it may be a lovely surprise for someone. Whether gratitude is something you practise daily, weekly, or periodically, it can be a key tool to remain in the present, be thankful for everyone and everything around you. The world is such a magnificent place, it can just be difficult to remember sometimes. You are pieced together with such incredible traits, but again, sometimes it can be difficult to remember.

That’s all for this month’s upside-down-time’s blog post.

As always, we’d love for you to be involved in our Upside-down-time feature. If you’re part of a university team that would like to be featured in an upcoming article, please get in touch. Those who have already shown an interest will be contacted shorty.

If you want to be featured next month, post a photo or video of yourself upside-down (e.g. handstands), tagging #upsidedowntime and #CFHTT. Lastly, we want to hear your nominations for someone who has gone above and beyond for their team, charity, community, etc. This can be yourself, teammates, coaches or cheer-parents! Message us with any nominations you have!

Ta’ra for now!

Rachel x

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