wellbeing
For the last 7 seasons LPPhave
supportedmanyprofessional
rugbyplayerswitha rangeof life’s
challenges. TheRPA’s Confidential
Counselling Service is there for the
players at times of needorwhen
regular demands get toomuch.
We seemen andwomen strugglingwithhealth
concerns (stress, anxiety, and depression);
addictive behaviours (alcohol, drugs or gambling)
andbehavioural problems (aggression and
relationshipproblems). Analysing the cases over
the years one type of challenge often crops up –
transition.
TRANSITIONCHALLENGES
Perhaps this should not come as a surprise as
transition and change are part and parcel of all
our lives. Commonly seen contributory factors in
the rugby playersweworkwith are:
• Signing a first Pro contract
• Relocatingwith a clubmove
• Breaking into the International arena
• Being dropped
• Injury and rehab
• Retiring
• Career ending injury
• Bereavement
• Starting a relationship / gettingmarried /
starting a family
• Endof a relationship
These transitions are exactly the same in
other elite sport and there are clear similarities
withnon-sports people. Sowhat is it about
transition that causes us difficulty?
At a fundamental level themajority of
humanbeings have evolved to avoid risk and
performbest under consistent conditions. Our
minds like to feel in control, to feel comfortable
and tooperate in familiar territory.
The reason for this is that our brains have a
well-developed tendency to switch on our stress
response in the face of ‘threat’. In themodern
era the chances of facing life threatening danger
outside combat zones areminimal. As a result
our hardwired fight or flight system tunes into
various psychological threats that we perceive.
Change being a common psychological threat
formany of us.
However not all of us respond in the same
way to transition – and that all comes down to
differing perceptions of the situation.
HOW TOCOPEWITHCHANGE
Understanding the psychological threat principle
andmanaging our responses to these (perceived)
threats is the key. Byminimising the triggering
of our stress responseswe reduce the chances
of turning short term stress into chronic stress
which left unchecked can lead to anxiety,
depression, behavioural problems etc.
Psychologists have described twomajor
types of coping strategies: “control coping” and
“escape coping.”
“Control coping”
is positive and proactive.
You refuse to feel like a victim or passive to
the situation. Instead you face the challenge,
make balanced choiceswork towards a positive
outcome. Successful coping includes identifying
andmanaging emotions and ‘mind traps’ –
those common everyday thinking errors that
reduce our objectivity.
“Escape coping”
is essentially avoidance.
Unhelpful thoughts (mind traps) and unpleasant
emotions are hard to stickwith and a reflex
to duck this issue predominates. Short term
relief guaranteed but generally long term grief
follows. Common examples include deliberately
missing training, avoiding a difficult conversation
with your coach / partner or persuading yourself
that you are right, the others arewrong and the
only solution is to go elsewhere.
In practice people often switch between
the two coping styles based on theirmind set
and perception of the ‘threat’ of the situation.
Recognisingour style is the first step to changing
thewaywe copewith change.
All RPAMembers can access
confidential support on the LPP 24/7
helplineon 01373 858 080
Challengeyour thinkingbyasking:
Is there another way of looking at the situation?
What would I tell my best friend if he / shewas
in exactly the same situation?
What do I choose to do next?
COPINGWITH
CHANGE
BY:
DR PHILHOPLEY
Signs thatwearenot copingwith
change:
• Being edgy and irritable
• Not able to relax and sleep
• Feeling tired
• Struggling tomotivate yourself and others
• Loss ofmental clarity
• More prone to distractions andmistakes
Behaviours tobuild change tolerance:
1. Recognise change and your responses
– good and bad
2. Recognise that your partnermay respond
very differently
3. Shift thatmind set: it’s all about perception
4. Take control
- face your fears don’t avoid them
5. Talk about it and keep talking
Transitions
themselvesarenot
the issue, buthow
yourespondtothe
challenges.
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