For many years, mental health went overlooked. All over the world, countless people silently struggled with conditions like depression, anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts. In many cases feeling thoroughly alone and not knowing where to turn. Fortunately, a lot of progress has been made in recent years, with increasing levels of focus placed on mental health care and more ways for people to deal with these difficult emotions, sensations, and challenges when they arrive.
But how can we try to safeguard ourselves from mental health problems in the first place? Well, there’s no way to eliminate the risks entirely, but one thing you can work on is increasing your mental and emotional fitness levels. In the same way that people pursue physical exercise to get stronger and improve their physical health to reduce the risk of injury and illness, we can also make ourselves mentally fit and ready to face possible challenges that lie ahead.
Here are some simple ways to make it happen.
1. Meditation
One of the best methods for improving mental fitness and emotional clarity is meditation. It’s a practice that has been used for literally thousands of years in various cultures and parts of the world to help people relax, clear their minds, de-stress, and become more mindful. And it can be of great help to those wishing to boost their mental fitness in the modern world too.
Various studies have looked into the benefits of meditation, finding that those who meditate regularly tend to be more focused, positive, and able to adapt to new changes and situations in life. In short, it can help to make you better prepared for challenges that lie ahead. One of the most effective methods is mindful meditation, which is all about focusing on your feelings and connecting with the world around you.
“Meditation is a vital way to purify and quiet the mind, thus rejuvenating the body.” – Deepak Chopra
2. Calming Exercise
For those who want something a little more active than meditation but still wish to focus on mental health, as well as physical strength and stamina, calming exercises might be the ideal compromise. This kind of exercise can include the likes of yoga and stretching, helping to balance the body and mind, toning muscles while also harmonizing your mental state, improving balance and coordination while also reducing stress and promoting a sense of calm.
Calming exercises can be a great way to both start and end the day. First thing in the morning, they can help to focus your mind and prepare you for the day ahead, and in the evenings, they’re perfect for letting go of any stresses or worries of the day that has passed, preparing you for a peaceful and pleasant sleep ahead.
It’s common knowledge that a healthy sleep schedule is vital for general health and wellness, but few people are aware of just how important sleep really is for one’s mental health. Various studies have linked a lack of sleep or sleeping disorders with mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and stress. Meanwhile, those who get their regular eight hours tend to be more focused, concentrated, and positive in their mood and mindset.
However, getting consistently good quality sleep is often easier said than done, and many people can struggle to drift off each evening. To remedy this, try to make some changes. Reducing screen time before bed, for example, can help your mind get into a more restful state. Yoga and meditation can also help, and some people find that white noise or soothing sounds help them rest more easily.
“Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.” – Benjamin Franklin
4. Cognitive Restructuring
Cognitive restructuring is also one of the keys to mental fitness, but what exactly is it? Well, the term itself might sound complicated, but it’s actually quite simple, and it can play a big part in helping you become a better-rounded person.
Cognitive restructuring is all about changing the way you view the world, yourself, and various situations in life, both at home and at work. It’s about becoming more open-minded by taking different views into account and looking at situations from different perspectives.
Let’s say you have a big presentation coming up, for example, and you’re struggling with stress about how it might go wrong. Cognitive restructuring can help you see the situation from other views, finding the precise issues you’re worried about and addressing them gradually to move towards a more positive state.
Overall, it’s clear to see that mental and emotional fitness are of the essence in today’s world. With reports suggesting that 1 in 4 people have mental health disorders of some kind, and countless individuals struggling with day to day stresses and concerns, looking after your mind is absolutely vital. With these methods, you can start to sharpen your mental fitness levels and face life more positively and effectively.