Our mental wellbeing influences everything in our lives - how we think, how we feel and what we do. It affects our daily lives, our relationships and our work. Many of us feel uncomfortable talking about it. Talking means that you are taking the first steps to being in control and feeling a little better. At Stevenage Phoenix running club we can help with that first step.
Amy Whitby is our club welfare officer. She is a fully qualified Early Years practitioner and she has worked in the care community for over 30yrs.
She loves supporting others and shows empathy and understanding when it comes to individuals mental health and wellbeing.
Amy has good knowledge of local support services with signposting skills to support runners further if and when needed, and she is also a great listener!
If you need to talk to Amy about anything please contact her via email at wellbeing@stevenagephoenix.org.uk
Running supports our wellbeing in so many ways, here are just a few highlighted:
- Reducing anxiety by increasing our positive thinking
- Improving our confidence physically and mentally
- Sleep generally improves after a run as it increases a hormone that helps regulate a healthy sleep-wake pattern.
But don't just take our word for it, here is what some of our members have to say:
“Running supports my wellbeing by providing a simple stress relief, and a way of overcoming simple challenges which boosts self esteem, i.e. running for a certain distance or realising you are fitter. It also gives a sense of control, as I run I feel in control and establish positive coping mechanisms for life”.
“When you struggle everyday to get out & meet the world. I find running in a club has given me such happiness, it also makes me feel confident and safe. The social side of seeing people and all being so supportive is everything, as well as getting out in the fresh air and feeling fitter which gives me such enthusiasm".
"The club has changed my life & I have made so many kind & caring friends. Thank you to the Phoenix Family”.
“I started running to get physically fit, but it's my mental health that benefits the most. I've struggled with anxiety since I was a teen. No medication or therapy has had the same effect as joining Phoenix. When I run with the club, my anxiety disappears. I can arrive at a training session on a 'bad day'. And by the end of the session I'm chatting, I'm smiling and I'm calm. Partly it's the exercise. Mostly it's the people. So positive, so kind, and so supportive. I never thought I'd be someone that actually looks forward to going running!”.
“Running is a great stress reliever for me. It gets me out into the fresh air and clears my head after a hard day’s work. I always feel good after a run, even if it’s hard to get going at the start”.
“Life is so busy but I try to exercise everyday, running in particular helps me to forget about the worries and stresses of life”.
The club are proud to be supporting the RED January campaign by having a running based activity/event on every day of January 2025. Everyone can join in.
Our training schedule is below and check out the RED January website for details on how to fundraise for charity Mind Over Mountains.
We are proud to be working with MIND in Hertfordshire supporting individuals mental well being.
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