Virgin Active blog
How Virgin Active Supports Mental Health
Mental Health Awareness Week is coming up on 11 - 17 May and this year, the theme is Action - where even the smallest of steps can put you on the path to better mental health. With classes, in-club events, spa days and dedicated recovery, Virgin Active is one of the best places you can be. Here’s why.
Mental health support is: self-care
Self-care comes in all different shapes and sizes, unique to each one of us. What looks like hard work for one can be completely calming for another person. So, you need somewhere that has it all.
Self-care doesn’t just look like a spa day - although saunas, steam rooms and hydropools often soothe everyone. It can also look like doing what you love, whether that’s Cycle or Boxing, Reformer Pilates, Sound Bath or getting into an especially sweaty session on the gym floor.
And, after all that, there’s the Recovery Zone. Self-care is also about looking after yourself and giving your body the support it needs to repair and recover. It will not only help you move better but you’ll also feel the benefits of fewer aches and pains in your overall mental wellbeing too.
Mental health support is: self-belief
When you have a good sense of self-belief, self-esteem and self-confidence, it has a knock-on effect for other areas of your life. You don’t only feel better about yourself and what you can do but you also create better relationships, build lasting self-worth and boost your resilience.
Feeling proud of yourself can feel a bit awkward, but little-by-little you can use the gym to boost your self-belief. You could:
Start by mapping out small and achievable goals (perhaps with the help of a Personal Trainer)
Try a new class to challenge yourself
Increase your weight or rep range for your gym floor workouts
Move your body in a way that you love, not to achieve anything but just to feel good
No matter what you do, celebrate your wins. It’s not about comparing your results or experience to anyone else. It’s about taking note of how you feel, mentally and physically. And enjoying it.
Mental health support is: social
As the saying goes: you get by with a little help from your friends. And at Virgin Active, we’re all about getting social. Classes, events, hangouts in the lounge, club-wide competitions - it’s all part of what makes us a social wellness club. And that helps because friendships give you emotional support, reduce your stress and anxiety, plus give you an increased sense of belonging and purpose. Head to our app to find a group exercise event to be part of or bring your friends down on a guest pass.
Mental health support is: savouring the moment
Nutrition counts for a lot when it comes to your mental health. Our gut is often called our second brain and it contains a lot of our serotonin receptors - the ‘happy hormone’ that regulates our mood. When you eat well, you feel your best.
You’ll have:
More energy
Better sleep patterns
Lower cortisol
More motivation
And in club, Kauai is here to give you nutritious meals made from real and fresh ingredients.
This Mental Health Awareness Week, what’s one thing that you can do to boost your mental health in club? And what can you do for others?
FAQs
What is Mental Health Awareness Week?
Mental Health Awareness Week is an annual event created by the Mental Health Foundation which is aimed at protecting and improving mental health across the UK.
What is the theme of Mental Health Awareness Week?
This year, Mental Health Awareness Week is about ‘action’.
How does Virgin Active support your mental health?
We support the mental health of our members with varied and social group exercise classes, spa and recovery facilities to turn off your mind and sink into relaxation, plus nutritious meals courtesy of Kauai.
