'A new normal' - COVID-19 and SPORT (1 OF 4)

After attending a British Psychological Society webinar yesterday titled ‘Towards the new normal’, I wanted to share some thoughts regarding you and your sports in this ‘new normal’ that we are finding ourselves in...and thinking further ahead too.

Transition from lockdown (stayng in) to integration (going out again)

Going into lockdown was clear and ‘across the board’, the restrictions are the same for everyone, we have shared goals and shared responsibilities. This all helps with people’s compliance and people appear largely okay with this change.

PLUS

Because of COVID-19 the psychological concept of SAFE = STAY INDOORS / NOT MIX WITH OTHERS. Subsequently, there has been a gradual development of UNSAFE = OUTDOORS / MIXING WITH OTHERS.

WE KNOW

Moving from lockdown to integration will be very gradual, certain shops will re-open, some people will be able to go out and some not, some may want to go out and some won’t, guidance will be less clear and more complex in terms of what we can / cannot do.

THEREFORE

How do you think people are going to cope with increased uncertainties, increased risks and dangers (going out has meant ‘unsafe’), people being requested to act differently from one another? Potential for increased anxieties, some conflict and disagreements? It is not going to be as easy as going into lockdown.

WHAT IMPACT MAY THIS HAVE ON YOU AND YOUR SPORT?

HOW ARE YOU GOING TO COPE?

Think for a moment about your sporting activities and the potential impact of the ‘new normal’.

Are you worried about being in contact with people again? How are you going to manage this?

How may this impact on your training, race prep and ability to compete?

May it lead to increased pressure, mental health concerns, distracted by COVID-19 resulting in a lack of focus?

Does you desire to compete override your safety and the safety of others e.g. because you are desperate to compete would you play even if the organisers have not taken all the precautions?

What part of the brain is making the decisions, the emotional part, the logical part or are you making balanced informed decisions?

How do you manage a team where there are differing opinions about COVID-19 and precautions?

What is it that you need to know in order for you to be okay to train / compete?

Do you have the skills to cope in a situation where you need to be assertive in order to remain safe, e.g. insist that there are hand washing facilities, social distancing measures etc.

The situation is going to be complex and we as people are complex. As psychology is the study of people and human behaviour it has been noted that we as a profession are key in terms of managing this transition.

Stay well, be proactive. The future may be uncertain but it doesn’t mean we are powerless, for that I am certain.

Happy to help.