Be Active Student Ambassador Review - English
As mentioned in our previous newsletter, Sport and Wellbeing's ongoing Be Active program has begun as of mid-December and since then provided numerous students with an opportunity to participate in activities they might not otherwise have considered. To share the potential of these sessions, one of our Student Ambassadors has kindly provided us with a review of their experience for an in-person session held prior to our closure in December.
"Be Active" Activity Review
As a Sports Brand ambassador, I am very happy to have the opportunity to participate in the "Be Active" event. After several activities, what impressed me the most is that by maintaining a good exercise habit, people's mental state will really change, and it will also have a positive impact on the people around them.
1. Tennis activities:
This is different from traditional tennis, the nature of the game is stronger. The first game is to try hit the target and score, which tests the cooperation of eyes, brain, and hands. The ball and racket are not standard, so they are more ingenious. The small ball skills you usually learn can be used.
Teacher Phil also asked us to switch players to play against. Different people's different ball speeds require more concentration. An hour passed very quickly. A couple of people who attended asked each other if the afternoon activities were still going ahead, it felt as though everyone had fun.
2. Badminton activities
I found that not all those who come to participate in the "Be Active" activity are naturally athletic, and there are also many beginners. I met a girl who played badminton for the first time, which surprised me a bit, but after getting along, I found that everyone has a strong learning ability and mastered the essentials quickly.
I was very happy to help teach foreign friends the rules of serving and standing. During the intermission, I checked the odd and even numbers that I do not remember before. It’s a good way to learn English haha.
After advising the "Sport and Wellbeing" Department, the badminton area was quickly expanded when we next participated, so if you have any needs, you can also put them forward to help create a better service.
After participating in several activities, I verified a scientific basis that I heard before. The brain really synthesizes protein by itself when sleeping. It turns out that if you are not good at some action, maybe you can do it naturally next time, forming correct muscle memory. I am especially grateful to my friends for their patient guidance, for telling me the importance of basic steps and helping me to make a video so I can go back and study it carefully. And what makes me most gratified is that friends who do not exercise very often after knowing that I want to play and exercise, also want to join the "Be Active" activities, and invite me to play/exercise in the gym. It makes me feel that this job is very meaningful and fulfilling, and I can inspire people around me to enjoy it.
3. Virtual boxing activities:
Punching is very important to the coordination of various parts of the body. Teacher Phil took us to do a few sets of movements, and there are many flexible changes in the pace and punching. If you can keep practicing, the backache and neck pain caused by long-term sitting will be alleviated, increase the flexibility and coordination of the body, and increase the explosive power of the body...
4. Stretching and relaxation training:
Equipment-less exercises such as stretching and relaxation training are particularly suitable for doing at home. They do not require too much equipment and space. They can also be effectively selfregulated following the guidance of the coach.
5. Health and fitness skills
At the end of the semester, everyone may be busy with homework and review, mentally anxious, and feel dizzy and weak. This class helped to inform us on: goal setting, eating habits, warmup and stretching before and after exercise and how to balance exercise with our daily lives.
When it comes to "vary/ progress your exercise", we really should change our activities appropriately. On the one hand, it can increase some fun without being too boring. On the other hand, doing different exercises will also make our body cells more active and efficient.
"Diet is important" reminds me that I often use cola, fried chicken, French fries...although it can be properly decompressed and happily. But in fact, I have to
eat a balanced diet, too greasy diet is really bad for our health.
Attached Tips original text:
1. Goal setting: Set your own achievable goals/ Try and be active’ every day/ manage your time...include time for exercise!/vary/ progress your exercise/record your progress.
2. Diet and daily life: Drink your 2 liters of water a day/ Sleep or rest/diet is important.
3. Stretching and relaxation: Do some form of stretching at least once a week /Injuries or strains are serious...rest /warm down or recovery/ listening to something helps...a lot.
Finally, the coach also mentioned, "Be patient with progress". Hearing it, I felt calm. In special times, you must maintain a positive attitude, and give yourself more positive psychological hints at ordinary times, and make your relatives who miss you more at ease.
If you find yourself interested by any of what you have read above, don't forget to check out the Be Active page on our website. Over lockdown we will be running three virtual sessions a week, all of which are completely free for University of Southampton students to participate in. Just fill out the form on our website to take part. Alternatively, we have a Be Active Run Club on Strava which will hold regular challenges and competitions for everyone to participate in.