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At times, being a fitness business owner can feel like a heavier weight than normal. There is an over expectation to succeed, be the best, be number one, and constantly push forward in the fitness industry. And rather than motivate, this constant pursuit for excellence often leaves people stressed and overworked with no time to slow down.
To celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month we're asking you to take some time to check in with yourself and your mental health. In this article, you'll learn ways that you can improve your mental health when you need a refresh so that you be in the best physical, mental, and emotional shape for yourself and your community. We also share the highest-rated and most recommended tools and apps that have successfully helped thousands of people prioritise and better their mental health and wellness.
Mental health in the fitness industry
A very alarming stat that has recently been shared is that one in four adults, about 20%, suffers from a mental disorder and 72% of entrepreneurs struggle with mental health. When taking into account the effects that the pandemic has contributed to a drop in mental health across the industry, much less the world, it's more common than ever that if you're experiencing stress and anxiety in your everyday life, your clients are too. As important as it is to keep progressing and excelling, it's just as important, if not more to make sure you're not putting too much pressure on yourself or your community.
If you do feel that you are someone who has taken on too much and needs some time to check in with yourself, see how you're feeling and switch up your priorities, these tools can help!
After reading this article, we hope you walk away with the tools and resources to
- Strengthen your mental health and wellness
- Feel supported and guided both personally and professionally
- Stay motivated by your career and keep excelling
- Eliminate roadblocks and challenges from your path
You don't have to take on the weight alone. We're not only here to support you with your software needs (which can also help you reduce your workload and items on your plate). We're here to support you in everything you do.
To get started working on your mental health and wellness journey, here are five tips and strategies you can begin implementing today. Jump to the section below to find additional resources, apps, and websites that can also aid you on your journey to better stronger mental health.
5 ways to improve your mental health today
To start let's explore 5 things you can start doing today that will positively impact and improve your mental health.
Make time for your own fitness
One of the first things fitness business owners give up when working for others is their own fitness. Making more time for others often means carving out less time for yourself. Numerous studies have shown how beneficial regular exercise and activity and balanced nutrition reduce depression, anxiety, stress, and trauma, as well as improve mood, sleep, and boost your immune system. You tell your clients how beneficial these things are for their own lives so isn't it for you too? Don't let making time for others stand in the way of making time for your own health, wellness, and fitness too.
Rely on your team and your systems
In our recent guide on the importance of delegation, we discussed the benefits of delegating part of your workload to your staff and your gym management software. Removing items off your plate and allowing the resources you have at your disposal to help you run a successful business helps you build trust and eliminates a lot of the stress you're holding on to. It's ok to ask for help, in fact, it's recommended.
Assign tasks to your team, automate important processes with your system and rely on the people (us included!) who are there to help you every step of the way. As soon as you start delegating items to your team and system you'll not only have more time to better your own mental health but also more time to help your customers with theirs.
Lead with gratitude
Show not only your customers but yourself some appreciation. According to several studies, including one by Harvard University, the act of gratitude and giving thanks has enormous benefits on one's mental health. Taking the time to regularly say, write, or think about what you are grateful for and what you appreciate most in your life comes to the forefront of your mind and sends receptors to your brain that trigger the feeling of happiness and joy.
Thanking your members for coming to class or sending out an email just to show your appreciation for your community, not only will these acts of gratitude reflect positively on your customers' experience but it will help you think more positively too. Many fitness businesses collaborate with charities and philanthropies to give back and encourage their members to contribute to these incredible organisations. When you do something good for others, you feel good too! It's a win-win!
Keep a routine, but don't let it be the cause of stress
They say it takes three weeks to form a habit and around two months to build a new behaviour. Building habits together to form a routine combined with positive behaviour is very important, especially during stressful times. But, sometimes feeling locked into a routine and its rigidness ends up being the cause of stress. Finding a balance that allows you to get what you need to get done without adding extra unnecessary stress and pressure will help you form a routine that's sustainable and works best for you.
Maintain regular conversations with someone you trust
Have you ever had a conversation with someone and felt, “Wow I feel so much better” after that talk? Cognitive behavioural studies show that simply talking to someone about your problems or your struggles reduces stress and alleviates the weight you're carrying on your own.
Find the right person, a mentor, a friend, a business coach, someone you trust or can confide in that wants to help you alleviate the pressures you're feeling and provide you with solutions that can help you move forward. It helps to have someone just a call or text away to support you when you need words of encouragement, a pat on the back, or a shoulder to lean on.
The best mental health tools and apps
We did our research and asked around to give you the best list of the most recommended, highest rated apps and tools that can help you with your mental health. These apps can be accessed in the iOS Apple and Android Google Play app stores.
Best therapy apps
Online apps have made therapy and working with a licensed professional accessible to everyone. These apps are the best rated across several medical websites and stand out because they can connect you to mental health experts and professionals best suited for you and your mental health needs and goals.
Best meditation apps
Meditation is a proven exercise that can drastically reduce stress, depression, and anxiety. These apps are the most recommended for their wide variety of meditations, programs, low cost, and ease of use.
Best mood tracking apps
Tracking your mood and behaviour can help you identify patterns and disruptions that cause you stress and anxiety. These apps include several tools and programs that can help you monitor your feelings and create solutions to overcome those tough moments.
- Moodfit: TeamUp customers can use this link or code "TEAMUP" to receive a discount on their membership.
- Bearable: TeamUp customers can use this link to receive a 66% discount on Bearable's premium subscription.
- eMoods
Best stress-relief apps
Designed to share cognitive games and exercises to practice when you’re feeling stressed and anxious, these apps provide relief during those times. They also track your daily mood and suggest programs to use based on the emotions you're experiencing that day.
Best affirmation apps
Similar to meditation, telling yourself positive affirmations has the ability to change your mood and influence your perceptions. These apps send you regular reminders and affirmation notifications that you can use to take a minute, repeat to yourself, and affirm your value and being.
Best organisation and project management apps
One of the main causes of stress and anxiety especially when running a business is a lack of organisation. These tools can help you stay organised, list your tasks, and send you reminders of items that are scheduled and due. Using one of these tools alongside your management software will ensure a task, project, or item never gets missed as well as help you see what else can be automated in your business.
- ClickUp: TeamUp customers can use the code "TEAMUP" to receive a 20% discount on the monthly or yearly plan for the Unlimited, Business, or Business Plus plans.
- Monday.com
- Trello
- Asana
We hope you enjoyed this guide, and don't forget to share it with your clients too! These tips can be useful to anyone struggling, anyone who needs a reminder that they're doing their best, and even someone who has strong mental health but wants to learn more about keeping themselves healthy.
To further support you and reduce any stress or anxiety you may be experiencing while running your business, we're here for you! To get in contact with us whenever you need, use the chat widget at the bottom right-hand corner of your screen or reach out to us at support@goteamup.com.
If you have a successful strategy that has helped you improve your mental health, we'd love to add it to this list. Send us an email at marketing@gmail.com to let us know what has helped.
