SportPsych Consulting

8 – 10 OCTOBER 2024. 9TH BATCH OF CERTIFIED MENTAL WELLNESS COACHES & FACILITATORS A huge congratulations to our newest CMWCFs! Coming from diverse backgrounds, these dedicated individuals are ready to make a positive impact and reach even more lives in their communities. After three days of intensive training, engaging discussions, and hands-on activities, our latest CMWCFs are now armed with science-based tools and strategies to enhance mental wellbeing! Together, we can strive for a mentally healthier world! Interested in joining this growing movement? Sign up today at bit.ly/CMWCF and become a Certified Mental Wellness Coach & Facilitator! Let’s empower one another to promote mental health and wellbeing! (Note: All of our courses are under the "Short Courses" category) #CertifiedMentalWellnessCoachandFacilitator #CMWCF #NgeeAnnPoly #MentalWellness #Wellbeing #MentalHealth #SportPsychConsulting

OCTOBER 4, 2024: HOW YOUR MENTAL HEALTH IS CONNECTED TO YOUR BRAIN HEALTH “Those diagnosed with depression, including young and middle-aged adults aged 18 to 59, were more than twice as likely to be diagnosed with dementia later in life compared with those without depression.” “The link highlights the importance of addressing mental health to protect long-term brain function.” Dr Annabelle Chow: “It is clear, however, that both depression and dementia cause increased neurodegeneration and reduced neuronal repair” **LESSONS: (1) Your current mental wellbeing may impact your future cognitive health. (2) Focus on preventive measures against psychological issues for a more fulfilling life, today and tomorrow. (3) If you feel depressive symptoms, seek help immediately. Ref: https://lnkd.in/gsiMkfP8 #MentalWellness #MentalHealth #MentalWellbeing #MentalWellnessResearch #CertifiedMentalWellnessCoachAndFacilitator #CMWCF

SEPTEMBER 27, 2024: EXERCISE AS A PROTECTION AND TREATMENT AGAINST DEPRESSION “[A]ny level of physical activity can help prevent and treat depression in both adults and adolescents, with a longer duration of intervention and more intense activity having a greater effect” “[I]t is plausible that exercise might enhance dopamine transmission”. “The antidepressant effect of aerobic exercise has been convincingly demonstrated through randomised controlled trials, but its mechanism is not well-understood”. **LESSONS: (1) Physical activity serves as both a protection and a treatment against depression, with longer and more intense activity providing more benefits. (2) Exercise positively influences our mood through dopamine transmission, which is our happy hormone. (3) Choose a type of exercise that you like and find ways to stick to it for benefits for your mental and physical health. Ref: https://lnkd.in/e-23Nczg #Exercise #Depression #MentalWellness #MentalHealth #MentalWellbeing #MentalToughness #MentalWellnessResearch #CertifiedMentalWellnessCoachAndFacilitator #CMWCF

SEPTEMBER 24, 2024: EXERCISING CAN BE EASIER IF YOU ARE A PART OF THIS... “These group classes can keep members coming back due to the simple fact of being related and connected, said Edgar Tham, founder and chief sport and performance psychologist at SportPsych Consulting.” Poon Shu Qi (co-owner of CrossFit Kampung): “You can find a workout anywhere…The difference that makes you go back to the same gym is the people you work out with.” “[Clara Ang], [a] CrossFit Kampung member, said going to the gym has helped her overcome "limiting beliefs"...Lessons learnt at the gym can also be applied to tackle other challenges in life, such as personal relationships, she added.” **LESSONS: (1) Community is important for exercise adherence; find ways to include social networks when trying to keep fit. (2) The friendships you form at the gym can help you feel more connected, which is crucial for mental wellbeing. (3) Mental toughness can be built when overcoming difficult exercises. Such skills can be translated to other areas, like work and school. Ref: https://lnkd.in/gyHX8Tab #Gym #CrossFit #MentalHealth #MentalWellbeing #MentalToughness #PeakPerformance

SEPTEMBER 20, 2024: A CRISIS IN YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH "...[I]n three of those who reported having severe or extremely severe mental health symptoms sought help, mainly by going to family and friends...[Y]oung people who were less likely to experience severe or extremely severe symptoms of depression, anxiety and/or stress had higher levels of resilience, perceived social support and greater self-esteem." Associate Professor Mythily Subramaniam (co-principal investigator of the study): “IMH’s study, like many others, showed that excessive social media use is a public health concern and has tremendous impact on youth mental health.” **LESSONS: (1) High stress and depression among the youth may stem from excessive social media use. (2) Be conscious of unrealistic body standards on social media, as it may negatively impact your mental wellbeing. (3) Users should practice mindfulness online to help reduce cyberbullying. (4) Seek help from family and friends, when needed. Remember that seeking help is not a show of weakness, but rather of strength. (5) Strong social support can protect against depression, so stay connected with loved ones. LINK: https://lnkd.in/gmmYcX8S #MentalWellness #MentalHealth #MentalWellbeing #MentalWellnessResearch #CertifiedMentalWellnessCoachAndFacilitator #CMWCF

SEPTEMBER 19, 2024: BEING MENTALLY TOUGH COULD MEAN LONGER LIVES “The study then looked at HRS data from 10,569 participants, from 2006 to 2008, which is the period where questions on mental resilience were collected for the first time.” “The researchers…found that those who had a higher mental resilience score had a lower risk of death. Women had a stronger association between a high mental resilience score and a lower risk of death than men”. “However, the researchers said that the study was observational and a causal link between mental resilience and lower causes of death should not be inferred.” **LESSONS: (1) Mental wellness interventions may be useful in increasing life spans. This demonstrates how mental wellbeing is as important as physical wellbeing. (2) Our physical body is linked to our mind, so take care of your body by eating well and exercising to improve your mental health. (3) Staying positive by being optimistic can be helpful in improving one’s mental strength. Do this by acknowledging difficulties while still focusing on the positive aspects of the situation. Ref: https://lnkd.in/gXq4Qi7s #MentalWellness #MentalHealth #MentalWellbeing #MentalWellnessResearch #CertifiedMentalWellnessCoachAndFacilitator #CMWCF

We would like to extend our heartfelt thank you to the SMU Psychology Society for making this program possible!

AUGUST 28, 2024: U.S. SURGEON GENERAL: PARENTING IS A TEAM SPORT Vivek H. Murthy, U.S. Surgeon General: “The stress and mental health challenges faced by parents — just like loneliness, workplace well-being and the impact of social media on youth mental health — aren’t always visible, but they can take a steep toll. It’s time to recognize they constitute a serious public health concern for our country. Parents who feel pushed to the brink deserve more than platitudes. They need tangible support...The experience has taught me that parenting at its best is a team sport [COHESION].” **LESSONS: (1) There are significant mental health challenges parents encounter, and they may not be visible. Reach out to a / fellow parent(s); even 15 minutes of connection can help. (2) Parenting is a team sport, which includes not just the parents but the people around them. (3) Having the mental toughness to cope with adversities is crucial for parents. (4) Parents can practice mindfulness and breathing exercises to safeguard one's mental well-being. LINK: https://lnkd.in/gtKtFGps #Parenting #MentalWellness #MentalHealth #MentalWellbeing #MentalToughness #MentalWellnessResearch #CertifiedMentalToughnessCoachAndFacilitator #CMTCF #CertifiedMentalWellnessCoachAndFacilitator #CMWCF

SEPTEMBER 8, 2024: WELCOME TO SMU PSYCH X SPC MENTORSHIP! We are thrilled to welcome students from various universities in Singapore to SportPsych Consulting for our mentorship programme! These future professionals will be educated on the most recent developments in sport, exercise, and performance (SEP) psychology, and will also learn how to harness online technology and artificial intelligence (like chatbots) to create meaningful projects that benefit the wider community. A special thank you to SMU Psychology Society for helping us organise this mentorship programme! We are so excited to see what these talented students will bring to the table and how they'll take SEP psychology to new heights! #SEPPsychology #SMU #Mentorship #MentalToughness #PeakPerformance

SEP 5, 2024: HOW IS YOUR GUT HEALTH RELATED TO YOUR MENTAL WELLBEING? Arpana Church (senior author): “When you’re stressed, your brain sends signals to your gut. This can upset the balance of your gut bacteria, leading to digestive issues like stomachaches or changes in your bowel movements. But it goes beyond that—the gut bacteria also send signals back to your brain, which can make you feel more anxious or stressed, creating a loop.” “[E]ating diets rich in diverse fruits and vegetables is the best way to support a healthy gut microbiome and [in turn] healthy brain” **LESSONS: (1) It is not just important to eat your fruits and vegetables, but to eat at least 30 different fruits and vegetables a week for a healthier microbiome—and a healthier brain. (2) When one is stressed, it may seem tempting to eat unhealthy foods. Try to be more mindful of what you are eating as this can stop the loop of being more stressed due to gut bacteria. (3) Being under a constant state of stress makes one more susceptible to physical and mental conditions, and stress management aids in a better physical health and mental well-being. LINK: https://lnkd.in/gsg3VqRm #Food #Fruits #Vegetables #GutHealth #EatingHabits #HealthyEating #MentalWellness #MentalHealth #MentalWellbeing #MentalToughness #MentalWellnessResearch #CertifiedMentalWellnessCoachAndFacilitator #CMWCF