May is Mental Health Awareness Month and there ’ s no better time to reinforce the importance of exercise in emotional well-being .
Karlie Intlekofer , Ph . D .
May is Mental Health Awareness Month , making this the perfect time to remind people — and reinforce the notion — that exercise can be key to supporting mental health .
We know , for example , that gym visits are a tool for building psychological resilience . Fitness facilities provide locations in which members can explore a range of movement options that deliver a high members recover from the impact of COVID-era restrictions .
How Clubs Are Responding sense of control and personal agency . With every
visit , your members reap the immediate reward of a more positive self-regard and an enhanced mood . In line with this idea , a recent survey found that 78 % of exercisers now say that “ mental and emotional well-being ” is their top reason for exercising .
Many clubs are actively embracing the message that exercise offers clear mental health benefits . They are also offering more recovery and relaxation options , with quieter areas for more privacy .
Fitness facilities are adding programming that helps their members find a calmer state of mind .
Each member ’ s visit also helps advance their fitness level . This matters because high levels of fitness protect our mental health . In fact , a person ’ s fitness level has a dose-dependent relationship with their risk of mental health disorders . Compared to those with high fitness , those with low or medium levels of fitness incur a 47 % and 23 % higher risk of mental health disorders , respectively .
Although yoga has long been included in group exercise rotations , new classes include mindfulness meditation , guided body scans , and breathwork .
Operators are also improving the relevance of their messaging by categorizing exercise as a strategy for optimal self-care . By reminding us that workouts enhance mood , these messages appeal to
Wellness The Key Role of Exercise Woman Man High Five Matrix Limited Use Column jpg In addition to those benefits , clubs can provide members with opportunities to connect to others and build their social network , helping to avoid loneliness — a common pandemic-associated issue . This is more important than ever , as remote work is more common . Clubs can play a part in helping those who are eager to ease the symptoms of anxiety and depression .
We ’ ve also seen a focus on the choice of exercise , which helps members view workouts as a personal decision ; something we do for ourselves . At a time when self-efficacy proves more difficult , choice puts the member in the driver ’ s seat on their path to a healthier lifestyle . Further marketing efforts