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Patricia

Mental Fitness Q&A

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What is mental fitness?

Let’s think about it this way –

If physical fitness is a state of health and well-being, particularly the ability to perform physically, then mental fitness is a state of health and well-being that allows us to perform well mentally (how we think, behave, and feel).

Just like we exercise to train our bodies, it’s important to make sure our minds are in good shape too.

Mental fitness trains our mind to respond to situations better. When we complete challenging tasks or think critically, we engage our minds and therefore improve our mental fitness in such a way that we increase our willpower and expand our mental dexterity (the ability to be flexible in our thoughts).

Why is mental fitness important?

Mental fitness is often overlooked as it is not something we can see, touch, or measure like physical fitness. When we’re mentally fit, we interact differently with the world around us.

When we have a higher state of mental fitness, we are ‘fit’ to complete our daily tasks and enjoy what life has to offer. When we are fit mentally, we are able to understand and respond to social and emotional challenges instead of passively reacting.

Optimal mental fitness can:

  • Decrease stress
  • Increase positive emotions
  • Improve sleep
  • Create a sense of achievement
  • Improve cognitive function
  • Increase confidence

Users of Rewire have reported being 55.6% less stressed since using the app!

What is the difference between mental health and mental fitness?

Mental health is a spectrum of our emotional well-being and therefore everyone who has a mind has mental health.

When we see mental health as a state of being, then mental fitness is how we act and react within that state.

Mental fitness is about growth. Regardless of where you are on the spectrum of mental health, you can improve your state of emotional well-being.

How can I practice mental fitness?

1. Think critically.

Challenge the mind and build resilience through engagement.

One way to do this is with Neuro-Training. The science behind Neuro-Training is a protocol called Brain Endurance Training (BET) which has been proven to improve athletic performance by targeting the part of the brain responsible for managing fatigue and willpower. The Rewire App has three different types of Neuro-Training sessions depending on your readiness to train.

Check out our article on Neuro-Training for more information.

2. Strengthen the mind/body connection.

Since our physical and mental fitness are so closely linked, improving our awareness of the mind/body connection can help us build cognitive resilience and mental willpower.

Rewire’s Readiness Assessment measures your readiness to perform, including cognitive, emotional, and physical elements. The assessment is used to assess your areas of need and provide a personalized recovery program to ensure a holistic approach to physical and mental fitness.

3. Practice mindfulness.

Being able to notice when our thoughts distract us is a powerful tool in building mental fitness.

Ways to improve mental fitness in your everyday life:

  • Focus on one task at a time
  • Increase positive self-talk
  • Try something new
  • Make Rewire part of your routine

Are you ready to try something new? Why not Rewire?

With the Rewire App, you can train both your body and your mind. The integrated resilience training system uses protocols from NASA, the Navy SEALS, and Neuroscientists to help you optimize your performance every day.

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Patricia

Naomi Osaka: Mental Health Journey

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Since withdrawing from the French Open in 2021 due to mental health reasons, professional tennis player Naomi Osaka has become an icon in the fight for raising awareness of mental health issues in the professional sports world.

In the 2018 US Open, Osaka defeated Serena Williams, a top American professional tennis player, and won her first slam title. Osaka has stated that she suffered bouts of depression since the win and talking to the media triggered her social anxiety. Because she skipped the press conference after her first-round victory, the tennis star was fined $15.000 and was threatened with tournament suspension. In response, Osaka tweeted that “anger is a lack of understanding [and] change makes people uncomfortable.”

However, athletes have continuously shown their support for Osaka and her mental health journey. Back in 2021, Czech and American former professional tennis player and coach, Martina Navratilova, tweeted in response to Osaka’s withdrawal, stating that athletes are taught to take care of their bodies and “the mental and emotional aspect gets short shrift”.

In May 2022, Osaka decided to speak up about her mental health journey and shared with FOX Business that “after speaking up, [her] view on expressing the need for a break or space or help really changed”. She described the feeling as freeing, that it provided a “sense of relief”, and “the outpouring from others about their own struggles made [her] feel less alone”.

A new partnership with Modern Health, a global mental health benefit solution, has given Osaka the platform and reach to assist in the battle of removing the stigma surrounding mental health and increase the availability and accessibility of mental health services.

“Together, we seek to support people on their journeys through a world in constant flux.” – Modern Health Community

Osaka has expressed that, anyone struggling with mental health, should find resources and ask for help; “you won’t ever regret it“.

The Vice President of Mental Health and Wellness for the Women’s Tennis Association, Becky Ahlgren Bedics, said, “Anytime an athlete shares their vulnerability and their authenticity, it’s going to affect other athletes in that sport. There’s a relatability.” She stated that she wasn’t sure if it could be attributed to one particular person or event, but it certainly “makes other folks sit up and notice”.

“I guess what I’m trying to say is I’m gonna celebrate myself and my accomplishment more. I think we all should.” – Naomi Osaka

Patricia

Mental Health: Is the Narrative Changing?

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Committed athletes dedicate years to their sport, overcoming challenges and unexpected obstacles with a delicate finesse and perseverance that can easily take a toll on their mental health, pushing them beyond their mental fitness. Michael Phelps, an American former competitive Swimmer, has publicly stated several times that mental health absolutely needs to be prioritised in the world of sports.

Phelps has openly discussed his struggles with mental health: “I can’t expect to have every answer today, but I also have to give myself forgiveness because I’m still learning and at times that is hard.”

Having goals is important because it gives us direction, a purpose to fight for, but it is just as (if not more) important to remind ourselves that growth takes time, that mistakes happen, and that we need to take the time to rest and recover amidst the intense training.

“I’m constantly learning. I’m constantly growing.” – Michael Phelps

Simone Biles, an American artistic gymnast, withdrew from the Tokyo Olympics team finals because she was concerned about her mental health. Biles highlighted the importance of mental health and openly stated that “we’re human too” and that “we also have to focus on ourselves”.

When Phelps heard Bile’s announcement of withdrawal from the event, he said that it “broke [his] heart” and he hopes that it will be an “eye-opening” experience and an opportunity to “blow this mental health thing even more wide open” because “it’s bigger than we can ever imagine”.

This bravery to speak out sparked a global discussion on mental health among athletes and has led to some significant movement in the area. It is slowly becoming more accepted that, while athletes focus largely on their physical capabilities, they must also be mentally and emotionally fit. It is this balance that leads to peak performance.

“Before I would only focus on the gym. But me being happy outside the gym is just as important as me being happy and doing well in the gym. Now it’s like everything’s coming together.” – Simone Biles

Without a doubt, social media plays a significant role in the mental health struggles of athletes due to its great reach and fast-paced nature. However, it also provides athletes like Phelps and Biles a platform to spread awareness and share their stories.

Mental health awareness in sports is gradually increasing thanks to athletes like Michael Phelps and Simone Biles. In fact, just recently, Phelps and Biles organised a meet-up to discuss mental health. It is this confident, completely vulnerable, honest and open communication we need to take the next intimidating steps in normalising mental health struggles and providing athletes the time and space they need to rest, heal, and recover.

“Don’t put a limit on anything. The more you dream, the further you get.” – Michael Phelps

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