Young sport leaders in Lanarkshire are urging communities to stay active to boost their mental health as part of the national 'Feel Your Personal Best' campaign.
The partnership between sportscotland and SAMH (Scottish Association for Mental Health) was launched in June and has been backed by Olympic legend Sir Chris Hoy.
Championing the message in Lanarkshire are members of the Young People’s Sport Panel (YPSP): Mya Thompson from Uddingston; and Ben Fitzpatrick from Hamilton.
They are encouraging locals to increase their physical activity to reduce stress and anxiety after the impact the pandemic has had on people's mental health.
The campaign follows new research which revealed that 60 per cent of Scots who were active throughout the pandemic said it had a positive impact on their wellbeing. The research, conducted by ScotPulse, to support the launch of the campaign revealed that:
- 81 per cent of people said that being more active positively impacted their wellbeing by helping them to get outside more.
- More than half said it helped to relax or switch off.
- Over a third found that it made them feel less anxious.
Mya, who studies at the University of Strathclyde, is an Active Schools volunteer who dances and coaches with Redemption Dance Crew in Uddingston.
She said: “Regular physical activity can greatly enhance our overall wellbeing, participation in sport and physical activity can increase our self-esteem and reduce stress and anxiety.
“Whether it’s a 10-minute walk or a one-hour dance class, it can help build a positive mood and give us the energy to enjoy the rest of the day.”
Ben, who is studying at the University of the West of Scotland and coaches at Hamilton Accies Women’s Football Club and Glasgow City Girls, added: “The benefits of consistent exercise can be endless.
"Physical activity can be a form of meditation, where we can escape from any worries or stresses of daily life.
"If you can set small and achievable targets for yourself it makes being active a lot more fun and you are more likely to stick at it.”
Chief Executive of sportscotland, Stewart Harris, said: “Clearly everyone in Scotland and beyond has experienced very difficult circumstances over the past 15 months.
"Looking after our own physical and mental wellbeing has been challenging during that time but there is light at the end of the tunnel.
“Keeping the body and mind active is crucial to our overall health and we hope the Feel Your Personal Best campaign will give people across Scotland a platform to get out and do whatever sport or physical activity helps them to feel better.
“I am delighted that the campaign is being backed by the Young People’s Sport Panel – a programme we are very proud of and one which wouldn’t be possible without the support of The National Lottery and lottery players.”
**Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
And did you know Lanarkshire Live is on Facebook? Head on over and give us a like and share!
