Harley Street clinic Private Psychiatry believes that supporting psychological health can help men optimise their performance inside and outside of the gym
There’s a reason that the Roman poet Juvenal put a ‘healthy mind in a healthy body’ at the top of his wish list of things that make a desirable life.
The phrase emphasises the crucial connection between physical and mental wellbeing, where a strong physical state supports mental clarity and emotional resilience – and vice versa.
To reach this Zen-like state, the experts at Harley Street’s Private Psychiatry agree that one should prioritise practices like regular exercise, a balanced diet, adequate sleep and stress reduction.
“When we talk about physical fitness, the conversation usually revolves around training routines, diet, recovery, and supplements,” says Dr Bruna Sanader Vukadinovic, who heads up the London clinic.
“But there is another element that is just as important and often overlooked: mental health,” she explains. “You can have the most disciplined nutrition plan and the most effective workout strategy, but if your mind is held back by stress, poor sleep, ADHD, or depression, your results will always be limited.
For anyone serious about performance, working with a private psychiatrist London can be the missing piece. And Private Psychiatry is redefining what high quality psychiatric care should look like in the United Kingdom.
Meet Dr Bruna
Dr Bruna is the Clinical Director at Private Psychiatry and a highly experienced Consultant Psychiatrist.
She holds dual specialisation in Sleep Medicine and Adult ADHD, two areas that are particularly important for people who want to optimise their performance inside and outside the gym.
She is registered with the General Medical Council and has spent her career working at the highest clinical standards.
Her expertise is directly relevant to athletes and fitness enthusiasts. Sleep quality, energy regulation, and the ability to focus are the foundations of training and recovery.
When those are compromised, workouts feel harder, recovery slows down, and motivation drops. Dr Bruna and her team at Private Psychiatry are addressing exactly these problems with evidence-based treatments and personalised care.
Why mental health matters in fitness
There is a strong connection between mental and physical performance. Poor sleep or high anxiety increases cortisol, which disrupts hormone balance, reduces recovery, and can even increase the risk of injury.
Attention problems such as ADHD can make it much harder to follow training schedules and stick to nutrition plans. Depression drains motivation and energy, while insomnia undermines strength gains and metabolic health.
“This is not simply theory,” says Dr Bruna. “Think of the days when you get only four or five hours of broken sleep. Your lifts feel heavier, your endurance drops, and your willingness to push through a workout decreases.
“Or consider a period of high stress when anxiety keeps you awake at night. The body struggles to recover, and what should be an enjoyable session feels like a chore.”
Dr Bruna and her team believe that mental health is not a ‘soft’ issue: it is one of the main drivers of performance.
“Supporting your psychological health does not just prevent crises. It improves consistency, increases recovery capacity, and makes training more enjoyable,” she says.
This is why an increasing number of people are starting with a private psychiatric assessment to strengthen their mental as well as physical fitness.
Building mental strength alongside physical gains
Optimising mental health for fitness does not always mean starting medication. At Private Psychiatry, care is holistic and tailored to the individual.
That might include sleep hygiene strategies, cognitive behavioural therapy, or specific lifestyle adjustments that work alongside psychiatric treatment.
For men who are serious about improving their strength, endurance, and overall health, thinking about mental health in the same way as nutrition or strength training makes sense.
Just as you invest in a personal trainer or quality supplements, investing in mental health assessments and support can unlock the consistency and focus that separate average results from peak performance.
How to get started
Appointments are available both virtually and in person at 10 Harley Street, London. This flexibility means you can access care from anywhere in the United Kingdom.
The team places emphasis on confidentiality, professionalism, and clear communication, making the process straightforward and supportive from the first enquiry to ongoing treatment.
• Start your journey by booking an appointment with a private psychiatrist today.
