Lt Cdr Steve Cass took a group of Royal Navy and Civilian mental health staff out for a few hours of Cornish Pilot Gig Rowing to take some time for their own wellbeing.
The group set off from the Sailing Centre on Whale Island in Portsmouth, directed by Lt Cdr Cass, learning to row the gig as a team.
PO Naval Nurse Nicola James worked with Lt Cdr Cass to organise the day for the team who are all mental health nurses or administrators within the mental health field and ‘often neglect our own wellbeing, sometimes due to the nature of the job.’
In an area that focusses on the mental health and wellbeing of others, it is often easy to neglect that personally. Sara Long who works as a Civilian Mental Health Nurse said it was ‘nice to feel valued and appreciated in terms of our own wellbeing. This is something completely new for me having coming from the NHS, so it’s very refreshing.’
Lt Cdr Cass said, ‘gig rowing is an activity that improves mental fitness as well as physical fitness. It involves team work, coordination and concentration with the added benefit of fresh air and being on the water. Whether a beginner or experienced rower, concentrating on timing, following the coxswain’s instructions and focusing on the technique means there is no capacity to be thinking about anything else.
'It is a fantastic way to feel mentally refreshed as well as physically challenged. Knowing what a crucial and demanding job our Royal Navy Mental Health team do made me extremely keen for the Royal Navy Portsmouth Gig Club to offer a break from the day job and an experience all would hopefully enjoy; their enthusiasm was fantastic and the feedback has been amazing.'
PONN Nicola James, Surface Flotilla Mental Health Nurse said, ‘what a fabulous couple of hours. It was excellent to learn a new skill. When I talk to my patients about being in the optimum stress stage of the pressure performance curve, this is what I mean.
‘Learning a new skill to stretch and occupy your mind can work wonders for your mental wellbeing. A few hours out on the water (plus the preparation it takes prior to getting onto the water) moves your body, gives you a sense of achievement, connects you with others and is incredibly enjoyable. We had such a great afternoon.’
Rowing is a great way to reconnect yourself with nature out on the water while challenging your body through physical activity, releasing endorphins and engaging your strategic mind to help take you away from the stress of work and life.
Surgeon Commander Elizabeth Shaw, Clinical Lead and Clinical Advisor to the Royal Navy said, ‘the two hours on the Gig was a complete break from ‘the day job’. I was able to focus on a new task, have a laugh with colleagues, do some exercise, and spend time away from my desk. I didn’t quite realise how much it was needed until I went back to work feeling renewed and mentally lighter!’
It is easy to see sport as a competitive outlet and forget the benefits it has to our overall wellbeing, even just for a few hours, allowing us to take a break from work. Emily Randell, Civilian Mental Health Nurse, took to the water and commented, ‘It was only after we had finished that I realised I had been focusing on nothing but the boat and the water the whole time – it was a nice break from all the day-to-day stressors. Very enjoyable and great for team building too.’
