What is Mental Fitness? These are exercises for healthy brain activities and balanced emotional state. Until recent years, our knowledge was...
What is Mental Fitness?
These are exercises for healthy brain activities and balanced emotional state.
Until recent years, our knowledge was limited to the fact that brain activities are affected by age. However, recent studies in neuroscience have proven that the opposite may also be true. We have now learned that at any age, through education, we can heal our brains to become mentally stronger, healthier and fitter.
When our health goal is to become physically stronger, most of us know what to do. When it comes to physical health, taking classes that match our fitness goals has been the norm for years. When we need, we can get help from professional coaches or start virtual lessons. But when it comes to emotional health, we think the same logic doesn't apply.
In the modern world, more and more people need mental recovery and recovery every day. This need continues to increase exponentially during the pandemic period. 60% of people experiencing symptoms of burnout, stress, anxiety or depression never access appropriate support or are reluctant to seek help. In the USA, at the beginning of 2021, an initiative called COA was established to change this situation.
The World's First 'Mental Fitness' Center
COA is the world's first "gym" for mental health. It sets out to make mental health fit and strong, just like physical health or fitness. In this sense, COA was established with the mission of making mental health a proactive and daily practice. This organization; It offers emotional fitness classes that you can attend as a group, led by a therapist, and individual therapist services. The goal is to make resources for mental health as common, accessible and enjoyable as physical fitness.
At the center, members can choose to attend just one group session, sign up for an eight-week series, or work one-on-one with a therapist if they wish, similar to regular fitness classes. Emotional fitness exercises are ongoing practices. It is necessary to change the perception of mental health from something we pay attention to only when we are not well, to a habit we do proactively to promote health. Because just like with our physical health, it's much easier to exercise when we're well. The method of COA's therapist-led classes is built on seven characteristics of emotionally healthy people.
Self-awareness, empathy, mindfulness, curiosity and questioning, play, flexibility, communication; These are common characteristics of emotionally balanced and fit people. It can be thought of as emotional fitness muscles that we can strengthen.
There are methods to monitor and improve regularly.
Self Awareness
It is the ability to understand our emotional triggers and biases. This is the foundation of emotional wellness, because if we are unable to reflect on our own experiences and this affects how we interact with others, other traits are difficult to develop. Research shows that 95% of people believe they are self-aware, but only 10-15% are truly aware. The truth is, there is a lot we don't know that we don't know.
Although this trait can be difficult to develop, you can start by establishing a regular routine of self-questioning. Take a 10-minute debrief at the end of each day to think about what was good and what wasn't so good. Meditate daily or go for a walk to check in with yourself and notice what feels good to you.
Empathy
Empathy is the ability to understand the emotions, needs and perspectives of others. It requires us to allow ourselves to feel what others are feeling and is a key skill for building relationships. It also helps us listen and try to understand even when things get difficult.
No comments