Every New Year, a lot of people make new resolutions to stay fit. It’s no surprise that we rush to renew our gym membership, buy the latest treadmills and kettlebells. And it’s for a good cause. Exercising an integral part of staying healthy and helps reduce the risks of several ailments like;
- Cardio diseases
- Diabetes
But, how many of us do give our mental health the same attention as physical health? As a result, we tend to ignore our mental health. Yet mental health helps us solve problems, improves our emotional wellbeing, and helps us soar through difficult situations.
So, we can improve our mental fitness through practice and a plan that works for you. We need to acknowledge that we need to change and take baby steps to achieve that.
Fixing your mental health takes time also; there is no quick fix.
Being mentally fit means keeping your emotions and brain in optimal health. However, it doesn’t mean that you’re training your brain to pass an IQ test. Instead, its exercises will help you boost your flagging memory.
Why we should pay attention to our mental health
Many people are afraid to open about their mental struggles due to the fear of being stigmatized.
Today, the media is at the forefront of creating campaigns and awareness surrounding this stigma. And below are some of the reasons you must embrace mental health:
Body and mind connection
Research says that those who have mental health problems suffer physically.
For instance, if you’re suffering from chronic anxiety or depression, you will not sleep or eat properly. Thus you will risk your physical wellbeing.
Lack of exercise also doubles your risk of getting depressed or dementia.
So, taking care of your body boosts your mind.
A study by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reveals some mental exercises increase fluid intelligence. And it boosts your ability to solve new problems and reasoning.
Mental illness can affect your family.
Mental illnesses like chronic depression and bipolar disorder can be hereditary. So, it’s important to check your mental fitness because it may affect your children as they grow.
Failing to attend to mental health problems can be dangerous.
Mental health remains a global concern due to stigma and inadequate mental health resources. As a result, many people are afraid to seek professional help.
Thus, untreated mental illness has led to several dangers. Due to this, suicide rates are increasing, reduced productivity, and reduced life expectancy. Whatever the case, untreated mental illnesses may lead to dangers such as increased rates of suicide, loss of productivity, and reduced life expectancy.
Tips for Mental Fitness
Reading
As you’re reading this article, your brain is processing each word and reminiscing the meaning of each word. So that shows how reading is vital. In addition, reading enables you to visualize texts and even imagine what the author sounds like, which is a good relaxing technique.
Moreover, reading ignites different parts of your brain. And by the way, there are so many genres of books that you can read. So running out of books to read is almost impossible.
Meditation
We all use different techniques when it comes to dealing with stress. It depends on your interests and hobbies. Even so, the most used technique is meditation.
The meditation technique lowers the risks of getting hypertension and reduces stress. So, it helps your brain recharge and makes you feel relaxed and ready to carry on through the day.
Be positive with yourself.
Positive affirmation increases mental proficiency.
Internal communication or affirmation helps strengthen your neural pathways to boost your self-confidence and wellbeing.
Begin by making a list of your best qualities. Then remind yourself that no one is perfect. Then set goals for areas you need improvement and work on them without overwhelming yourself.
Playing games
Playing games isn’t fun only but also tests and helps your brain stay sharp. It would help if you considered playing these games:
- Sudoku
- Board games
- Crossword puzzles
Games boost your brain build muscle. According to a study in the journal Current Biology, playing games increases your attention span, reaction time, and the ability to switch tasks. Furthermore, apart from video games, you can play games that require you to employ the use of;
- logic
- rational
- trivia
Try something different
Changing your approaches in life and trying new things can help you boost your mental health. You can change the way you approach your daily life by;
- Travel to new destinations
- Explore more ways to accomplish routine tasks.
- Take a new route to the grocery store or work
- Try new diets
The Alzheimer’s Association, research reveals that keeping your brain active increases its vitality. In addition, altering your routine helps to retain your brain cells and connections. To simply put it, changing your daily routine helps your brain stay healthy.
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Food for thought
As illustrated above, mental health is essential in boosting your brain and body health. However, taking care of your body is an unending process. And you don’t need to go to the gym to achieve mental fitness.
There are several mental exercises, including visual exercises, to help you stay healthy.
Identify the best way to help yourself and remember that you aren’t alone in your struggles and healing.
There are so many people on the same journey as you live a longer, healthier, and happier life. So let’s support other mental fitness journeys and end the stigma.
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