Fergie said it best, “I be up in the gym just working on my fitness!” As we all should, but do we work on our mental fitness?
Did you know on average every year in the U.S 18.1% (43.6 million) suffer from some form of mental illness (HealthyPeople.gov). I recently came across a great TED Talk called, “What if Mental Health Was Just A Starting Point For Mental Fitness?”
In this TED Talk, the speaker focused on the benefits of working the mind the same as we work our muscles in the gym. This changed my thinking completely not just around physical health, but improving mental health at the same time.
Over the past year, since I found the gym, my life completely changed from my mood, to my self image, and even my body. But during that process I realized a lot of things in my life had started taking a major toll on my mental health.
Not only did I not know how to cope with these events, I ignored them. So I stopped going to the gym and overall neglected what my body needed. I didn’t realize what I gained in muscle strength I lacked in mental strength. Consistency is key in the gym. You will never see gains in strength without consistency, going to the gym more times than not and eating healthy foods that fuel your muscles.
This goes for your mind as well. The same way we study for a test, practice for a game, or train for a job position, people must practice positive thinking to obtain mental strength when situations get tough.
The main idea mentioned in this TED Talk was adding small psychological skills attached to the certifications obtained by professional fitness trainers. Adding ways to not only help you with form but teach you how to appreciate the ability your body has, giving examples to cope with stress or anxiety.
There are small ways to improve mental health while being active. I know it is so easy to be negative, to be mad at your situation or even yourself. But what if you challenged yourself everyday to rewire your brain? Instead of complaining how sore you might be, appreciate your body for how far it has taken you. Instead of looking in the mirror and thinking about how tired you may look, be proud you got up another day to conquer the world.
The same way you get up and get ready for the gym to really work your muscles, work that mind. I would advocate for everybody to practice and use consistency everyday. Say something nice to yourself when you look in the mirror, turn a negative into a positive, learn to practice ways to relax yourself when times get tense.
I think focusing on mental fitness may be a gateway to help even the average American have a great day rather than just another one.
