“May” is Mental health awareness month and on this week’s edition of #PlayitDreamitTuesday we held an in-house tweet advocacy conversation, titled “Sports and Mental health” featuring Damilola Adewale (Programme Officer), Anna Mambula (Programme Manager), and Miracle Oluwafemi (Junior Programme Analyst).

 QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

Q1. Moving forward to the first question for today @EniolaMiracle2 What is your understanding on Mental Health?

A1. “Mental Health is a state of good well-being that is; emotionally, psychologically, and socially in which an individual can cope with the stresses of life and can properly function in his environment.”

 Thank you @EniolaMiracle2

now @AnnieMambula, what is your take on the concept of mental health?

“Mental health includes our emotional, behavioural, psychological and social well-being. It affects how we think, act, feel, interact with others. It also determines how well we cope with the normal stresses of life and make choices.”

Q2. Now the next question @EniolaMiracle2

What do you have to say on people’s response to Mental Health issues?

A2. Mental health issues in Nigeria is very common but sadly, due to misconceptions surrounding mental health disorders/issues, little attention is given to mental health issues in Nigeria. The level of awareness is very poor and this is wrong. Mental health is to be taken seriously.

This is an area of indepth concern and I really do agree with your opinion @EniolaMiracle2

Q3. The level of awareness for mental health is poor and that leads to the next question @AnnieMambula, what is the relationship between sports and Mental Health?

A3. Sports helps to moderate stress It helps in improving one’s mood. Studies show that exercise improves symptoms of depression and reduces the risk of relapse Sports can also help fight addiction and serious mental disorders.

The benefits of engaging in sports are endless and boosting one’s mental health is part of it. It helps one manage stress. Exercise reduces the levels of body stress hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol. It also causes the body to release endorphins.

This is really interesting and educating @AnnieMambula

Q4. We also need to understand that Sports is a unifying tool and is essential to development.

@EniolaMiracle2

Are there any Sporting activities or routine that enhances mental wellbeing?

A4. Research has shown that people who participated in sport showed the greatest reduction in mental burden compared to people who did not exercise. It is well known that team sports provide social connections and reduce feeling of isolation. Cycling is ranked second on reducing mental burden. Sports such as yoga and golf forces your mind to put aside worries and concentrate on the task at hand. Yoga integrates body and mind, it also works well when incorporated with therapy and meditation. Football can boost your self-esteem and help you concentrate, sleep and feel better. Football is a significant benefit towards improving your mental health. Sports releases chemicals in your brain that makes you feel good

Amazing @EniolaMiracle2

Sport is indeed beneficial when it comes to boosting mental health

Q5. @AnnieMambula, It is believed that whatever has a positive effect definitely has a negative effect. What are the negating factors of sports on Mental health?

A5. While sports provides many benefits, it can also have negative effects on ones mental health especially on advanced athletes. #Sports relieve stress, and it can sometimes create it.

Interesting @AnnieMambula

Q6. What advice do you have for our audience regarding sports and mental health (issues) @AnnieMambula @EniolaMiracle2

A6. “Develop the habit the engaging in regular exercise, it’s good for your well-being Make your mental health a priority Seek help when you need it Find a group of good minded persons and individuals to vent, talking actually helps you release the toxic emotions.”-@AnnieMambula

“I encourage everyone to engage in sports. It’s a lot of pressure battling everything alone. Take a break, breathe, relax, meditate, go for therapy if need be. Your Mental Health is every important. Take care of it and yourself.”-@EniolaMiracle2