David Beckham reveals how he copes with his mental health struggles at Sydney wellbeing summit

By MiNDFOOD

David Beckham arrives to attend the Queen's Young Leaders Awards at Buckingham Palace in London, Britain, June 26, 2018. Kirsty Wigglesworth/pool via Reuters
David Beckham arrives to attend the Queen's Young Leaders Awards at Buckingham Palace in London, Britain, June 26, 2018. Kirsty Wigglesworth/pool via Reuters

David Beckham has revealed coping strategies for his mental health struggles during a Sydney health and wellness summit.

Soccer star, David Beckham has spoken on his past suffering from anxiety and OCD during Sydney’s AIA Vitality 4490 Summit in Australia on Thursday.

The 43-year-old who has four kids with his wife Victoria Beckham, said at the well-being event: “It’s the little things that can have a really big impact.”

Beckham supports AIA in its goal of helping people in the Asia-Pacific region live longer, healthier, better lives. He joined the insurance company in 2017. “Joining the AIA family was an easy decision for me. I am a passionate believer in the value of wellness and maintaining a healthy lifestyle and I share AIA’s commitment to encourage people to take charge of their health,” Beckham said.

David has previously opened up about having suffered from anxiety, which stems from his battle with OCD.

He revealed he assembles Lego models to calm himself down, and told the Sunday Times Magazine in 2014: “When the kids finish school, they might have different activities going on, like football or rugby.

“But when they get home we’ll often play one of their favourite games, like Connect 4.

“They also love Lego. So do I. The last big thing I made was Tower Bridge. It was amazing. I think Lego sometimes helps to calm me down.”

At the Sydney event, Beckham added that activities such as walking the kids to school or the park can make a huge difference to one’s mental wellbeing. “It just takes one change,” he said.

The Beckhams have been in Sydney as part of the retired soccer player’s role as ambassador for the recently ended Invictus Games, founded by Prince Harry. The Games aims to foster better mental health through sport for injured service men and women.

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