Incorporating Mental Wellness Strategies: Evidence-Based Practices for Fitness Professionals

Introduction: Mental health involves the interrelation of mental, emotional, and behavioural well-being. Poor mental health impacts all aspects of our lives, such as the relationships we have with family, friends, and community, and our ability to work. Approximately one in three women and one in five men will experience depression in their lives. In 2020, the year of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a 26% increase in the number of people with anxiety and a 28% increase in the number of people with depressive disorders. Regular physical activity can reduce the risk of different mental disorders, such as anxiety and depression, and improve sleep and overall quality of life. By encouraging participants to exercise regularly, fitness professionals play a crucial role in addressing the mental health epidemic. Taking it a step further to include mental wellness practices as part of physical activity can potentially lead to even greater improvements in mental health. Purpose: This opinion paper aims to educate fitness professionals on the importance of mental health and to incorporate holistic, evidence-based exercise prescriptions grounded in psychological constructs such as growth mindset, gratitude, and mindfulness. Conclusion: Mindful fitness professionals can take an extra step to help their participants by incorporating gratitude and mindfulness practices into fitness programming, which can enhance a growth mindset and help lower barriers to exercise.