LIBBY’S TOP TIPS FOR WELLBEING
Anyone can suffer mental health problems – as Libby Trickett knows all too well – and it’s important to check in on each other
WINNERS aren’t always grinners.
Anyone can be feeling down or struggling, but may not look like they are — even elite sport stars.
When one of the biggest Australian swimming stars Libby Trickett, 34, was a teenager, she faced a lot of self-doubt.
She was a competitive athlete and put a lot of pressure on herself to be “perfect”.
Libby often had negative thoughts before she would dive into a pool to compete in a race, and eventually started to lose her passion.
She retired from swimming
in 2009, at the age of 24, but after seeking help from a sports psychologist returned to competing in 2010 and went on to win gold at the 2012 Olympics in London.
She sought help and learnt to say it was OK to ask for help.
“That feeling usually happened just before a competition when there was something I really wanted to achieve,” she said.
“When those negative thoughts came up, I tried to remember all of the hard work that I had done.
“I (would) remind myself that, ultimately, sport is just super fun.
“This always allowed me to overcome those self-doubts and enjoy the race.”
That’s why she is so passionate about educating others about mental health and illness and wants to help others stay on track of the more positive side of life, and learn how to recognise others who may be going through a tough time.
Yourself or others may not look like they are struggling, but it could be a change in behaviour, attitude, or if they start saying negative things often.
“You might not be going through it but someone else might be,” she said.
“I think sometimes people get nervous about how to ask if someone is doing OK because we don’t want to upset someone or hurt their feelings.
“But maybe it’s an opportunity or opening and they haven’t had the chance to talk about what they are going through.
“Just asking someone if they are OK is a really simple thing to connect with people.
“It helps others to realise they are not alone and can encourage them to ask for help.”
Libby suggested Inspire readers create a checklist to help recognise their own mental state and how to look out for others who may be going through a tough time.
“If you do find yourself getting down for an extended period of time, and your behaviour is changing, or you sense it happening to someone else that you love or a friend, try to recognise that,” she said.
“If you notice your friend is behaving negatively or you’ve heard they say negative things, or withdrawing from the social group, it’s good to check in on them.
“Asking someone if you’re OK is simple. It gives them the opportunity to know you’re there for help if they need it.
“I recommend creating a checklist.
“For me, on that list is sleep. Getting enough sleep is really important. I know when I’m getting stressed and overwhelmed I need more sleep.
“Eating well is extremely important.
“But one of the main foundations of mental health self-care for me is to exercise. Finding that time, 30 minutes to an hour, or even 15 minutes, whatever it might be – just try to do as much as possible.
“Sometimes it might be every day, or it might be just once a week. It’s a good idea to make it a priority.”
Libby said there were heaps of resources out there for kids, teenagers and parents from Beyond Blue, Lifeline and The Black Dog Institute.
“They all have incredible resources. They are really good places to ask for help.”