The Lion's Roar

The benefit of sport and the relation of mental health

This article contains topics of a sensitive nature. If you, yourself or peers may be struggling with mental health or anything else discussed in this post, please find somebody to talk to.

You may find these additional links useful:

https://www.kooth.com/

https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/support-services/helplines

https://www.talkingtherapies.nelft.nhs.uk/waltham-forest-/

Self Love and Sports

“A man cannot be comfortable without his own approval” – Mark Twain

For the majority of my life I lived through other people’s opinions. The judgement of others decided how I lived my life; my emotions were controlled by others and with that I felt my body was too. I grew up with anxiety, depression and insecurities as a result of a lack of self love, it never occurred to me that self love was the key to my happiness.

I wanted everyone to like me, I wanted people to envy me for my popularity and my looks. Unfortunately, the mindset I held within secondary school turned me into a bully. I was so insecure about myself that I developed an eating disorder where I would starve myself and throw up my food then criticize others for their weight and their lifestyle. I was so afraid of losing my popularity and my friends which ironically I did, I wanted to change myself and become a better person but with that I lost the only thing I really cared about at the time. I eventually progressed into another eating disorder where I would binge on fatty food which led me to becoming overweight within a matter of weeks. I became suicidal and felt so lonely and so lost. However, the one thing I continued throughout my life was sports. I found myself forgetting about my problems and worries when partaking in sports and with it I was able to find love within myself.

Towards the end of my time at secondary school I pushed myself to participate in multiple sports clubs and physical activities, it was during these times that I felt the happiest and it was a way for me to enjoy working on myself. My 16th summer showed development, I worked out throughout summer to lose weight, I made new friends and for the first time in my life I felt good about myself.

Coming to LSC I was given multiple opportunities to take part in a variety of sports, I started playing volleyball, badminton and netball. Over time the only validation I found myself looking for was the one from myself, I realised my potential and my strengths and so I started finding ways to apply the criticism I was given from my coaches to my training, but I was doing it for myself.

Sports helped me acknowledge what real self love is. I have now grown to be a beautiful, confident and loving woman as a result of the love I felt through and from sports. Despite my hard work and effort to have gotten to where I am I still suffer from anxiety because of the trauma that has occurred within my life, but I will continue to work on myself and love myself with the help from sports.

“Be the love you never received” – Rune Languni

-Anonymous

My Lockdown Experience

Kamil is a Year 2 BTEC Level 3 Sport student, and during the coronavirus pandemic, provided us with an insight as to what daily life was like for him.

“I joined the Sport Ambassador programme to gain more sports knowledge, and improve my leadership. In the future, I would like to be a sports coach, and compete in a professional swimming environment.

During lockdown, I tried my best to develop a consistent routine, which gave me focus each day. In an attempt to stay healthy, I was careful with the amount of calories I was consuming, and having this to focus on was great. Also, during the day, I spent time doing assignments for my BTEC, and performing numerous swimming exercises. However, unfortunately, due to the pandemic, my swimming training has been negatively impacted. However, I have attempted to make the most of having more free time, and have increased the number of home workouts and runs. This has been great for my mental health! If I were to recommend activities to fellow students, they would be push ups, sit ups, squats and planks, if they haven’t got any free weights.

I wish that everyone will stay healthy and safe in this crazy pandemic.”

Kamil Reszke

Being part of the Basketball Team

This weeks post is written by Leleese, a second year A-level student and sports ambassador. Leleese has been heavily involved in sport throughout her time in college and is a key team player in the women’s basketball team. This post highlights how basketball has made a difference amd shaped Leleese’s time at Leyton Sixth Form College.

Being a part of the basketball team has affected my college experience in such a drastic and positive way, that I wouldn’t change it for anything else. From the very beginning of my college basketball experience from previously playing basketball in secondary, it has affected my love for the sport and the skill immensely. With a fantastic coach from the very beginning, one of my teammates in first year becoming our second coach this year as well as becoming a strong family, being a part of this team has become my life.

The sport helps to balance the stress of my A levels, always giving me something to look forward to at the end of the long Monday timetable, Wednesday match days and Thursday and Friday sessions. I did not expect to make a whole team of friends or to improve my game so much, but because of my team and coaches I was able to do so. Being family outside of basketball has created chemistry on the court, and improve as a team. Being a part of the team has given me a sense of self-motivation I have never really grasped before and has always made me strive to improve, listen and work to the best of my ability.

From the very beginning in first year, I barely knew some of the basic skills of the sport, but through my experienced coach that made all sessions productive, focused and fun, by the end of the year I went to knowing barely nothing to knowing strategic defenses like box-one and zone-defense, as well as offence: four-high and five-out. Every section of basketball was covered, some sessions including game play, some to improve our dribbling and some to improve our fitness. Once only playing for a few minutes and now able to run and play a full game because of the training we receive. I am very grateful to have been and be a part of the team throughout my college experience and hope to continue basketball in university and will definitely be continued as a hobby.

Leleese Francis-Lewis

A New Experience

My experience as a sports ambassador has been nothing but positive. Working at a desk allows me to develop my personal skills such as time management and communication. It also gave me the opportunity to work closely with other members of staff that I would not normally interact with. Furthermore, by spending a lot of time in the sports department I met many new college students and developed new friendships. This includes the LSC sports ambassadors team, as well as those students who choose to take part in the wide range of extracurricular activities which leyton has to offer.

As well as being a sports ambassador, I participate in a variety of sports at LSC such as volleyball, badminton and the netball team. These clubs have also helped me build new freindships and greatly improved my technique and skills. The range of abilities in each sport makes it accessible for everyone which as a result creates a warm and welcoming environment.

The sports department creates a comfortable atmosphere and that is why it is one of the most likeable departments at Leyton sixth form college.

Ilona Mile