For everyone

In the last few weeks, how many times have we heard that “nothing will be the same again” that “habits or processes will have to be reviewed” or that “organizations are going to have to reinvent themselves”? in this chorus of questions, what about our young athletes who, used to the frantic rhythms dictated by their agendas, are waiting to get back to training? Are they all happy with this return to “normal”? One of our counsellors decided to speak to them. --------------- About a month has passed since Minister Charest announced the resumption of sporting activities. Talk about a boost for the morale! We can finally see our teammates, our friends and our coaches again. We can finally be…

This blog series has brought us to the following problem. According to studies on the behavioural immune system (BHS), the presence of the coronavirus could lead to greater conformity among Quebecers combined with a greater aversion for deviation from the norm. Consequently, this could exacerbate the exclusion of certain already marginalized communities and put them at even greater risk for certain types of violence, including bullying among children. That said, how can we prevent it from happening and avoid these communities suffering further from their exclusion? The answer is simple, but its application complex: inclusion. Complexity of inclusion The first difficulty with inclusion is that exclusion sometimes be legitimate. To function properly, a group must adopt inclusion and exclusion criteria…

To summarize where we are in our reflection, the presence of pathogens activates the behavioural immune system (BIM) and leads to greater rigidity in social norms (hygiene, nourishment, sexuality) as well as a greater aversion for those who break them (See blogs 1 and 2). So, does the BIM have a role to play in establishing and maintaining prejudices against certain marginalized groups? Not only is the answer yes, but the BIM has a leading role to play for prejudices with regard to people who are obese, disfigured, handicapped, seniors, foreigner and homosexuals (Aarøe& al., 2017; Ackerman & al., 2018; Fincher et al., 2008; Karinen & al., 2019; Kiss & al., 2020; Lai & al., 2014; Murray & al., 2013;…

In our most recent blog, we defended the fact that the presence of a disease like COVID-19 could lead to avoiding other people. On the contrary, we didn’t understand why we still wanted to see our loved ones, despite everything. Of course, there’s the fact that we long to see them, but you have to admit, they are just as likely, if not more likely, to transmit the disease to us. Like the good Dr. Arruda stated, most of these cases are transmitted by the family. Wouldn’t it therefore be more logical to avoid them like the plague? It seems that, combined with longing, the behavioural immune system (BIM) has a role to play in this process. The BIM and…

I would like to start this series of four blogs with a personal anecdote. Those who know me well know that for me, there’s nothing better than a good old handshake to start a friendly or professional meeting. That said, I recently watched a series in which the main character walked through a crowd and shook the hand of anyone who was willing. I was therefore surprised to feel a strong sense of aversion, telling myself “It’s absolutely crazy to touch so many people.” I had never had this reflex before and yet today, with the COVID-19 crisis, I am now overtaken by an instinctive disgust towards this type of behaviour. Nevertheless, like many of us, I also have an…

The isolation caused by the coronavirus pandemic has led to a change of routine for all Quebecers. No school, no sports, no restaurants, no movie theaters, no shopping, no going out, no gatherings… isolation has left a void in our schedules. What to do with all this free time? Many of us have turned to technology and social media. Netflix, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Zoom… In some ways, and since nature abhors a vacuum (Aristotle), technology has allowed us to fill this emptiness and more easily deal with isolation. We have therefore been able to work remotely and stay in contact with our friends (thanks to virtual happy hours) and our loved ones (parents and grandparents) who miss their family.…

The current situation may lead to more athletes and coaches wanting to call on specialists in psychology, sport psychology, mental training, etc. without however knowing who to call upon.  No surprise there given that in the field of mental health, many consultants have the skills to help the overall population. It may therefore be hard to know who to contact when they feel the need to identify, share and analyze their thoughts and emotions. In the sporting environment, you have access to people specially trained to favour your performance on the field and your well-being, whether you are an Olympic athlete who wants to win a medal or a young athlete on a competitive or participating level. Two main stakeholders…

In this period of isolation, it is important, for both our physical and psychological health, to stay busy and active, and therefore continue to practice physical activities. It’s even more essential given that exercise is a major stimulant for the production of several neurotransmitters (endorphins, dopamine and serotonin) in the brain which contribute to our well-being. This helps to manage stress in a period like the one we are going through right now. On top of that, regular physical exercise is very beneficial for the body, in addition to improving health, increasing immune surveillance and reducing the risks of illness . In other words, regular physical activity is strongly related to a decrease in the frequency of upper respiratory tract…

The match which currently pits the sports community against the COVID-19 pandemic is more than an unexpected clash, it’s a crisis that generates ignorance, unpredictability, uncertainty, ambiguity and a loss of control. These sudden changes in the sports community are leaving it in a state of shock, disbelief and distress and leads us to ask questions which have no answer: When will the fields and gymnasiums open again? When can I go back to school? When can I start training? For some athletes, this unknown adversary and the crisis it provokes means more than a simple break in their sports careers. Some of them will not see the end of their season, will not experience their last high school or…

The period of crisis that the planet is currently going through in connection with COVID-19 obviously affects us all to different degrees. The sport community is no exception. Of course, we think first of all of these professional leagues which had to interrupt their activities, of all these championships, events and tournaments which are canceled or postponed… not to mention the biggest sporting event, the Tokyo Olympic Games which are officially carried over to 2021. It is easy to empathize with athletes of all skill levels who are committed to practicing their sport and who are now at risk of missing their much-awaited competitions. Their performance and results could probably have had a decisive influence, first on the pleasure and…