When your head doesn’t stop

If you live with anxiety, you’ll understand this bit straight away. Your brain doesn’t have an off switch. It replays conversations, creates problems that don’t exist yet, and overthinks absolutely everything.

Some days it’s manageable. Other days it’s exhausting.

I can sit still and feel tired without doing anything. I can lie in bed and feel like I’ve already run a marathon — mentally.

That’s what anxiety does. It keeps you switched on when all you want is peace.

Stepping onto the pitch

Then comes football.

Boots on. Laces tied. Quick stretch. A ball rolling across the grass.

And something changes.

Because when the game starts, my brain has no choice but to be present.

I’m thinking about my position. Tracking a runner (only to the halfway line 👀). Calling for the ball. Timing a tackle. Picking a pass. Getting back into shape.

There’s no room for yesterday. There’s no space for tomorrow. There’s just now.

Forced mindfulness (without the breathing apps)

People talk a lot about mindfulness, meditation, breathing techniques — and they absolutely have their place.

But football gives me mindfulness without trying.

You can’t overthink when you’re chasing a through ball. You can’t spiral when you’re marking a man. You can’t catastrophise life when you’re blowing out your backside tracking back after losing possession.

Your brain is too busy doing what it was designed to do — react, focus, adapt.

For that hour, anxiety doesn’t disappear… but it goes quiet.

And sometimes, quiet is enough.

The peace after the final whistle

There’s another part people don’t always talk about.

After the game, when you’re knackered, sweating, legs heavy — my head feels lighter.

The thoughts slow down. The tension eases. The edge softens.

It’s not because everything is suddenly fixed. Life doesn’t magically become easier.

But football takes the pressure off my mind just long enough to remind me what calm feels like.

Why this matters at C9 Foundation

At C9 Foundation, we talk a lot about community, movement, and connection — and football brings all three together.

You don’t need to be the best player. You don’t need to be super fit. You don’t need to talk about your feelings if you don’t want to.

You just need to turn up.

For some people, football is fitness. For others, it’s social.

And for people like me?

It’s therapy.

If you’re struggling

If your head is loud. If your thoughts won’t slow down. If sitting still makes things worse.

Maybe football — or any sport — could be your outlet too.

Not as a cure. Not as a fix.

But as a space where your mind can breathe.

And sometimes, that’s more powerful than we realise.