In honor of Mental Health Fitness Awareness Month, I have been encouraging readers and anyone I come into contact with to create a mental fitness plan. Just like a workout plan, money management plan or any other type of plan, a mental fitness plan can be used as a blueprint to help you maintain your mentally fit state of mind. Your plan should be created based on what YOU need to get back to or to maintain your best self. However, below are some basic components that I would suggest including in your mental fitness plan.
Meditate/Pray. Meditation and prayer is beneficial in many ways, but the most important are a time for self-reflection and hope. When you meditate you allow yourself that quiet time to calm the chaos in your mind, even if it’s just for 5 to 10 minutes per day. Prayer, on the other hand, allows you to connect to a higher power providing a sense of hope for and faith in that whatever challenges you’re facing will eventually pass. People who have a spiritual connection often express having a greater sense of peace.
Exercise. Many health care providers will prescribe a good dose of exercise to those who want to be mentally fit. Exercise releases natural endorphins and endorphins is a chemical in your body that makes you feel happier and calm.
Eat Healthy. Have you ever noticed that when you eat like crap, you feel like crap? Well, that’s no coincidence. There’s a direct correlation between food and mood. Making healthier eating choices can make a huge difference in how you feel.
Surround Yourself With Positive People. It is darn near impossible to maintain a positive state of mind if you are constantly surrounded by negative people. Talking to at least one positive person per day, via phone, text, or in person should be included in everyone’s mental fitness plan. Positive people help provide encouragement, a detour from negative thinking and helps you avoid isolation.
Put On Some Great Music. Studies show that music can help boost your mood. So, whenever something triggers my anxiety, one of the things I do is put on my favorite playlist.
Therapy. I have my therapist on speed dial. If I’m experiencing a really challenging time in my life and I need professional support to help me navigate through it, I know I can call my therapist. I also have the benefit of having an awesome childhood friend who just happens to be our campaign psychiatrist. :-)