ENDS Jo Phillips, associate director
People are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of maintaining good mental health as a fundamental part of wellbeing. In an increasingly fast-paced and pressurised
world, we know that people are feeling less and less mentally well. According to The Futures Company’s Global Monitor, only 46 per cent of people globally were satisfied with their emotional wellbeing in 2011, compared to 54 per cent in 2010. This decline is particularly stark in industrialising markets: China has fallen from 75 per cent to 59 per cent. Mental health remains an area that is rife with stigma and
misconceptions. It’s a long way off being equally recognised alongside physical health. Often people struggle with a mental health problem for months or even years before seeking help. But we are seeing signs that people are becoming more
and more self-aware and are looking to more consciously and proactively look after their mind, whether it be the rising interest in mindfulness, ‘brain training’ games or even mood- enhancing food and drinks. The links between mental and physical health are also
becoming more apparent in our society. For example, while much of the public health activity tackling obesity focuses on the vital physical statistics of BMI and calorie intake, there is also an emerging but increasing understanding of the need to treat the whole person. If self-esteem and confidence are undone by the scrutiny of weigh-ins and the pressure of a diet plan, are we really helping that person to be healthier? Similarly, building mental health into a physical training or post-operative recovery plan can help people achieve their goals quicker. In future, we will continue to see an increasing desire to
enhance mental as well as physical health, whether we are thinking about improving our fitness, nutrition or sleep.
may 2012 © cybertrek 2012
Personal happiness and wellbeing can create wider social benefits
At first, happiness sounds self-involved and
individualistic. However, the deeper you look into future possibilities and innovations that can be created by considering happiness, the more you can visualise social benefits for organisations and communities, not only individuals. We’ve looked closely at the topic to help make sense of it for clients and help them identify what it means to them, how they might contribute to customers’ happiness, and whether it’s the right thing to focus on. In short, ‘is happiness your business?’ Happiness may not be the right thing for every
organisation to focus on, but there’s an obvious role for people involved in the health and fitness industry, which has so many tools proven to boost mood and outlook through physical and mental action. And it’s here to stay. I think that nowadays, when
people talk about happiness, what they are really doing is challenging fundamental assumptions about what matters, what should be measured, and what we’re aiming for. It has become a metaphor for major issues of the day and challenges brands, companies and organisations to improve people’s lives.
Read Health Club Management online at
healthclubmanagement.co.uk/digital 67
Expect to see realignment in the way we approach mental and emotional wellbeing
Rebecca Nash, associate director
There has been a lot of talk about happiness lately. This is thanks mostly to the Office of National Statistics introducing wellbeing measures last year, as well as questions being asked about the importance of money in achieving life success. With an economy slow to start, we have over the past few years become better at identifying what really matters: family, friends, security and health.
CONRADO /
SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
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