How sport helps clear the mind: Sevens rugby stars tackle physical and mental health
- Exercise is an outlet for stress, and sport teaches resilience, say Hong Kong sevens pair Salom Yiu and Chong Ka-yan, who are promoting mental health awareness
- John Kirwan, retired New Zealand star, offers his perspective on mental health at a wellness summit in Hong Kong ahead of the Hong Kong Sevens
Hong Kong rugby stars and an All Black legend have joined a campaign tied to the Hong Kong Sevens tournament to encourage busy Hongkongers to pay attention to their physical and mental well-being, and lead more balanced and healthy lives.
Salom Yiu Kam-shing and Chong Ka-yan, who have both represented Hong Kong at the Sevens, and New Zealand legend John Kirwan, are backing the initiative.
“Hong Kong is a very stressful, fast-paced place to live and work; many people find it hard to escape all the hustle and bustle and stress,” says women’s sevens player Chong. Her advice? Consider exercise as an outlet for stress. “Once you devote time to do a bit of exercise, even if you’re not about getting super fit or whatever, you will find yourself able to remove yourself from the stresses and use [exercise] to clear your mind.”
Yiu and Chong agree that physical and mental well-being are interlinked and have affected their performance in the past. Yiu has worked with a psychologist to help him cope with stress on the pitch. He used to wallow in negativity after a failed score or conversion attempt, but now he takes a more positive attitude.
“If things get tense, I’d replay my best runs, conversions or goals to remind myself what I’m capable of and to stay positive,” he says.