The Life-Changing Power of Mental Fitness

When it comes to improving our health, mental fitness is often overlooked.

Our understanding of mental health issues has improved, which is important, but what about mental fitness? This is the proactive approach, preventative medicine. Reinforcing well-being, like physical fitness, requires practice.

How often have you thought “Why can’t I stop doing this?” or “Why can’t I stop eating too much, drinking too much, working too much…?” There is nothing unusual about this. We all have habits that seem impossible to change. What if I told you they are not impossible, but how we try to change isn’t working? We rely on willpower, and that is temporary.

Mental fitness requires practice.

Mental and physical fitness

Mental fitness means having the capacity to be resilient to life’s challenges. It includes being able to respond and react appropriately. Mental fitness is the ability to appreciate and enjoy positive aspects of daily life. To be able to focus on what matters, to accept and navigate challenges. To feel fulfillment.

It is not the absence of mental illness.

There are many ways to practice mental fitness, including meditation, gratitude, social connections, and staying physically fit. These are all important.

But, for most people, they don’t make a difference when it comes to making lasting change, and this ability to make change that lasts is what matters.

How to improve mental fitness

Mental fitness is similar to physical fitness, you need to do the reps to build capacity. It doesn’t just happen.

It is hard to keep trying to change when you don’t feel like you are making progress. Sustained change towards a more positive mind requires strengthening the neural pathways that help us form new habits through consistent daily practice.

Foundational Fitness

The similarities between physical and mental fitness become clear when you think of the foundations of fitness. Physical fitness is divided into health-related aspects of fitness and the skill related. Health-related include cardiovascular fitness, muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility and body composition. Skill-related aspects of fitness are agility, power, speed, coordination, balance and reaction time.

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Foundations of Mental Fitness

With mental fitness, the foundation is the neural pathways. For sustainable results, not short-term change, building a strong network of neural pathways changes our habits. Rewiring the brain to provide a foundation of lasting well-being.

It is not difficult if you know what to do and it takes practice. A few minutes a day can change and rewire your neurons and allow you to sustain a new way of thinking and being.

What is Mental Fitness?

Our thoughts can be our own worst enemy. Often, old patterns and self-sabotage get in the way of our ability to change.

Beating ourselves up repeatedly over mistakes or shortcomings, obsessing about future risks, and waking up in the middle of the night worrying. This keeps us fixated on what is wrong with our lives, circumstances, or others. It causes much of our stress and unhappiness, reduces effectiveness, and harms our relationships.

If you want an easier way to handle life’s challenges and feel a sense of peace with a positive mindset then starting a mental fitness practice can help.

Mental fitness is about building and maintaining strong mental health, emotional intelligence, and cognitive abilities to navigate life’s challenges effectively.

Key aspects of mental fitness include:

1. Emotional Resilience: The ability to bounce back from setbacks, stressors, and emotional challenges. A mentally fit individual can manage emotions, cope with stress, and adapt to changes more effectively.
2. Positive Mindset: Cultivating a positive mindset involves focusing on the bright side of situations, practicing gratitude, and reframing negative thoughts into more constructive ones. This can lead to improved overall well-being and greater resilience.
3. Stress Management: Mental fitness involves developing healthy ways to manage stress, such as relaxation techniques, mindfulness, meditation, and time management. These strategies can help reduce the negative impact of stress on mental health.
4. Self-Awareness: Understanding one’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviours is crucial for mental fitness. Self-awareness allows individuals to identify patterns, triggers, and areas for personal growth.
5. Physical Health: Physical and mental health are closely connected. Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and sufficient sleep contribute to better mental fitness by promoting the release of neurotransmitters and hormones that positively impact mood and cognitive function.
6. Social Connections: Building and maintaining strong social connections is important for mental fitness. Meaningful relationships provide emotional support, a sense of belonging, and opportunities for positive interactions.
7. Continuous Learning: Keeping the brain engaged through learning new skills, pursuing hobbies, and exploring new interests can contribute to mental fitness. It enhances cognitive abilities and keeps the mind active and adaptable.
8. Mindfulness and Meditation: Mindfulness and meditation can help individuals stay present, manage their thoughts, and reduce anxiety. These techniques promote relaxation and self-awareness.
9. Purpose: Having a sense of purpose and direction. Working toward goals or fulfillment can provide a sense of accomplishment and boost self-esteem.
10. Ongoing Practice: Like physical fitness, it’s important to practice and do the reps. Being mentally fit is a lifelong practice like becoming a karate master.

Mental fitness is a lifelong journey that requires consistent effort and attention. Just as we work to maintain our physical health, maintaining our mental well-being is crucial for leading a fulfilling and balanced life. It’s important to remember that mental fitness is not about being happy all the time but rather about developing the skills and resilience to navigate life’s ups and downs healthily.

It is possible to change your habits permanently with practice and action. If you have struggled with changing habits, there is hope. No matter how many times you have attempted to change it is possible. It is not a personal failure, you didn’t have the tools to be successful.

You really can change your mind, to change your health,

Shayla