Mental fitness is a state of well-being which allows the mind face challenges better. A mentally fit person will be a master of resilience who can adapt and thrive no matter what life throws their way.
BENEFITS OF BEING MENTALLY FIT
BEING MORE PRESENT
Mental fitness helps a person become more aware of their surroundings and be less sabotaged by distractions. Such people are able to enjoy the beauty of life and relate to others in a healthy manner.
IMPROVED SELF ESTEEM
A mentally fit individual learns the art of focusing more on positivity. This optimism helps build a healthy and strong relationship with oneself. Mentally fit individuals focus on their strengths and believe in their abilities, which boosts self-confidence and feelings of empathy.
IMPROVED COGNITIVE SKILLS
Cognitive skills are the ability of the mind to control:
- Fundamental processes of the brain, such as perception and memory functions
- Sophisticated processes such as problem-solving, decision making and metacognition
When one adapts a combination of healthy lifestyle behaviors, brain health and cognitive health improve.
BUILD HEALTHY SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS
Even though a mentally fit person learns to enjoy their own company, they have the ability to socialize with others, too. Keeping up with family and friends, along with participating in social outings, is a part of being sociable which builds strong bonds, giving a person a sense of security and feeling loved.
TEACHES SELF CARE
A healthy brain encourages you to focus on your well-being, such as your physical health, hobbies, dreams and boundaries. However, the practice of self-care varies from person to person as per their need and mood. For example, one might be interested in being alone and listening to music, while others might prefer group activities like playing badminton. Self-care also includes:
- eating a balanced diet
- getting enough sleep
- engaging in regular exercise
ASK FOR HELP
When emotions become overwhelming, someone with good mental health will try to find help and support, which is a positive quality of life.
BRAIN EXERCISES TO IMPROVE MENTAL FITNESS
Just as the body requires care and exercise, so does the mind. However, the mental training is psychological and cannot be seen as a physical workout. Mental exercises cannot be measured or weighed, but when done, a person will have better memory, attention, skills, intelligence and navigation.
- TRY MEDITATION
Meditation and breathing exercises are proven practices for creating a calm mental state. Through meditation, a person engages the brain in a new and positive manner without much effort. It takes only a few minutes each day to meditate. Choose a corner and close your eyes, slowly focusing on your body movements and thoughts. Wherever you notice tension, focus and breathe consciously to release it. Repeat this practice on a daily basis to see significant change over time.
- ENGAGE IN LEISURELY ACTIVITIES
If one carves out a few minutes daily to play mind games, it can do wonders. Games like Sudoku, jigsaw puzzles and crossword puzzles rely on logic, math, and memory. Challenging these cognitive skills of the brain will train the mind also.
Similarly, reading books is a brain workout. Reading not only improves knowledge but also uplifts the mood and distracts the brain from stress and anxiety.
- LEARN A NEW SKILL
It doesn’t matter if a new skill is for work or play; either way, it will benefit the mind. So, why not join a guitar class or take up a three-month digital marketing course. Learning new skills train the mind to handle multitasking and boosts self-confidence.
- ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE
Negative thoughts and feeling discouraged come from the type of thinking process we have. To combat this, begin with the simplest tool, which is to observe and appreciate what you have. Write down five things you are grateful for each day. This practice will help develop positive emotions and shift the mind towards optimistic thinking.
- SETTING HEALTHY BOUNDARIES
Boundaries are defined rules or limits one sets to protect their space and mental well-being. These can be conveyed through actions or words such as, “I am not okay with your tone” or “I cannot always do your part of the work.” Doing this helps one be able to keep the stressors away and safeguard their self-respect.
- GET ENOUGH SLEEP
The brain is constantly active and losing energy. Good brain health extensively depends on good quality sleep because sleep plays a vital role in clearing abnormal proteins in the brain to boost memories and overall brain health. Aim to sleep at least seven to eight hours every night for brain fitness.
CONCLUSION
It is important to stick to healthy habits for long-term improved mental fitness. Return to this blog, to recall these simple techniques you can do anytime to keep your brain sharp.
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