Why it’s so important to keep up with sport and what UofG has to offer.
There are so many reasons for university students to struggle with their mental health during the winter; the dark mornings, horrible weather, and declining motivation can really take a toll on a person’s mental health. With multiple deadlines adding to the stress of semester two, it can be difficult to find time to do activities that we enjoy.
However, winter does not need to be thrown in the bin and trudged through. There are ways to enjoy the cold months that Glasgow seems to have plenty of. Sport is the perfect way to bring movement and community together and it allows your body to release endorphins that make you feel happy and relaxed, something that is desperately needed when your mental health is struggling. Sport can also help create a natural sleep cycle and it provides the opportunity to break up your day, especially when you’re studying for prolonged periods of time.
Many people write-off winter as a time for sports. It is difficult to get outside and run when the temperature is hitting freezing. It is easy to say that you are “waiting for the right time” to start a new sport and when the weather is this bad, the excuse is even easier. Forcing yourself to get outside or even go to the gym is hard but consistency and perseverance are critical. It doesn’t need to be perfect; it doesn’t need to be intense. It just needs to happen.
But why go to university clubs? What is the difference between running on my own and running with a society? Community. Community furthers the idea of perseverance. When others are relying on you to show up and run, or show up and play in a competition, the likelihood of you not attending is very minimal. Societies are also beginner friendly and that reduces the pressure of going into a new situation.
The University of Glasgow gym also has classes that are less obligatory. Yoga, pilates and spin are just some examples of classes that students who have bought a gym membership can attend for no extra charge. Indoor halls and the swimming pool are also great ways to stay indoors and still exercise with the university gym and Glasgow Club venues having these facilities.
Remember to also give yourself grace during winter. It is important to exercise and stay connected to others but do not put too much pressure on yourself to do everything at once. Start small by going on runs, a couple classes a week or joining a developmental team on a university society through the SRC website or app.
Winter is tough. Sport is a way to help get through it, by releasing endorphins, getting outside and taking small steps to ensure that your mental health stays strong. Sport is not all about the performance, it is about staying healthy, both physically and mentally.
