Simon Sinek refers to “Mental Health” as “Mental Fitness.” I like the difference between the term ‘health’ and ‘fitness.’ Fitness is a state of agility, flexibility and ability that is the result of consistent practice. The state of fitness prepares you for the conditions that will be thrown at you as you pursue your intention.
Of course, fitness conjures up sweaty bodies in a gym lifting weights, or whirling legs on bikes in a Spin Class with the aim of tackling a personal physical achievement or just a healthier lifestyle. Nevertheless, fitness is about toning and massaging the body ready for the barriers that will stop us from moving forward.
I believe, Mental Fitness is the same concept, but you practice exercising your thinking. How many times do you react in a negative manner to the same situation?
A concerned parent sends an email late at night inquiring whether you have seen her daughter’s jumper. She had it when she went to school this morning?
“Are you serious?” as the blood pressure rises. “I am sick of looking after and responding to parents’ concerns, when they should be more responsible …”
If you are Mentally Fit you can be practiced enough in the Naming and Taming of your emotions and simply say to yourself, with no emotion, “I’ll answer that tomorrow” or reply “I haven’t seen it.”
Or even better, you are Mentally Fit enough to understand your boundaries as you don’t look at work emails after 6.00pm.
There are many unforeseen impacts on our daily intentions, parent requests, pupil behaviour, or peer pressure; no matter how many morning teas you participated in, or yoga classes attended, the fact is that the incidents still have impact. If you let it.
Mental Fitness is being aware of the data your body and mind are sending, paying It some attention and then acting on the information in a way that reduces the stress quickly. Of course, social and physical activity is an integral factor to wellbeing, however being mentally fit is strengthening our ability to decipher the data so you can be your best self more often.
How would rate your Mental Fitness?
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