Mental Fitness: Strengthening the Mind Like a Muscle

We often talk about the importance of physical fitness. We understand that it is an important part of our overall well-being, and there are many ways to support it, such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator, going for a daily walk, or stretching while watching television. Mental fitness follows the same concept but focuses on our mental and emotional well-being. It is the practice of exercising our mind as we would a muscle. Mental fitness involves training our thoughts and responses to promote resilience, reduce anxiety, improve emotional regulation, and increase tolerance to stress.

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When Wellness is Overwhelming

Any person who has seen a healthcare professional has probably felt a certain way when being asked any question that pertains to their personal wellness. It stands to reason then, that those who see a healthcare professional more often because of their diagnosis get to feel that feeling a whole lot more. What feeling? Well, if you’re like me, the questions…

“Do you exercise?”

“How many hours do you exercise? ”

“Do you eat fast food? How many times a week?”

“How often do you have soft drinks? ”

“What does your diet look like?”

…evoke a sinking feeling I can only describe as guilt mixed with defensiveness. I imagine the “right” answers. The “perfect” healthy lifestyle that would result in my doctor beaming with pride while writing down my answers, maybe giving me a gold star and an A+ on my ‘Life’ report card.

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