Claire Martin is an occupational therapist working in mental health. She is also a Breeze Champion and Breeze Area Coordinator for the south west of Scotland. Here she tells how she looks after her own mental health through cycling and reflects on her experience with HSBC UK Breeze.

To work in mental health within health and social care successfully, it is important to protect your own mental health. The best way to do that is to find a range of leisure activities meaningful to you that will balance ‘work, rest and play’.  For me cycling is one of my ‘play’ activities. I like to explore the countryside by bicycle in my leisure time and see new places with like minded people.

Personally, I find it is not about getting the fastest time when I am cycling with others, it is about having a chat and unwinding from a busy day at work.

In 2018 I moved from a city to the countryside of Dumfries and Galloway and found British Cycling’s HSBC UK Breeze Programme.  The volunteer ride leaders, aka Breeze Champions, were friendly and welcoming and introduced me to new cycle routes I hadn’t found myself. From attending these rides friendships have developed that have enriched my life as I have settled in to living in a new area.

 

After a couple of months I decided to train as a Champion myself and went on a free one-day course. The course built our confidence and skills leading rides to enable us to deliver safe and friendly Breeze rides.  When I returned home I completed a first aid course and then organised my first ride.  Three women came that first night, two of whom I hadn’t met before. We had a lovely cycle run and this was the start of my volunteering as a cycle ride leader on the HSBC UK Breeze programme.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends cycling to stay active and emphasises that physical activity, such as cycling, has “significant benefits for hearts, bodies and minds”[1]. They refer to research evidence that cycling can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety.

It is sobering to note that the WHO reports that “Worldwide 1 in 3 women do not do enough physical activity to stay healthy”.

Recommendations are that adult women do at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic activity every week to protect and improve their health. The NHS itself advises that “cycling can also boost your mood, improving the symptoms of some mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety”[2]. 

2020 has added additional pressures and anxiety through the arrival of a global pandemic. Lockdown reduced our risk of contracting Covid-19 but has also disrupted many activities we used to enjoy. For me this is swimming, attending a local sewing group, visiting friends and going on holiday abroad. And of course, leading Breeze rides.   

Since I trained in 2019 as a Breeze Champion I have led 25 Breeze rides. We have cycled from 6 – 20 miles and seen local wildlife such as deer and fawns and red squirrels on our travels. We have visited the seaside and local landmarks including Gelston Castle and Orcharton Tower. It is a great feeling hearing women chatting to each other and laughing as they cycle on a warm summer evening.  

Recently I asked the women who have attended my rides for anonymous feedback on their experiences. All who replied said that the Breeze rides had encouraged them to cycle more often, and 87% said they would come on a Breeze ride again, when restrictions allow. Women reported many benefits, including: feeling safer cycling in a group; going out on longer rides; learning to always check my bike before setting out; inspired me to get on my bike; meeting new people and having social contact; building confidence; discovered some lovely cycling routes; gets me out on my road bike and seeing different parts of the countryside. Other comments included: good leaders - very encouraging and welcoming; very inclusive and welcoming.

As we go in to 2021 in a second lockdown I am still cycling on my own or with those in my social bubble, so I can enjoy the outdoors, challenge myself by developing my mountain biking skills and finding new routes to share with other women when Breeze rides can restart once more. I have taken on the role at Scottish Cycling of Breeze Area Coordinator for South West Scotland, to support local Breeze Champions and the delivery of the programme in this region.

As I say to my patients in my role as a mental health occupational therapist, if you are having problems sleeping or feeling unsettled and anxious then consider building exercise into each day  - whether it is a walk or a cycle ride is up to you

Make 2021 a year when you ensure you have some physical exercise to protect your mental health.

Articles Referred to:

World Health Organisation website, 26 November 2020, Physical Activity Fact Sheet

NHS Inform website (www.nhsinform.scot)