Mental Fitness
Exercising the mind is as vital as exercising the body
To become totlaly healthy beings we cannot stop at the physical boundaries of the body; we must consider the mind, emotions and energy body as well.
When addressing fitness we must go beyond the boundaries of the physical body to encompass the entire being. This should include the mental, emotional and energical dimensions of one’s being. One cannot consider himself totally healthy if he is mentally declining, emotionally unstable or energetically unbalanced.
We can ascertain aberrations within each dimension through self-examination. Once detected, we can implement the proper protocol to alleviate the condition. It is said that "an ounce on prevention is worth a pound of cure". As we focus on mental health today, we’ll direct our attention to preventing mental melt down and keeping the mind sharp and fit.
A de-conditioned mind can exhibit symptoms from poor memory, slow thinking and difficulty learning to more serious problems such as Alzheimer or Parkinson’s disease. Mental fitness is therefore just as critical, if not more so (your mind controls your body), as a fit body.
The mind like the body, if not used, will begin to deteriorate, diminishing one’s longevity, independence and quality of life. Think of the mind as a muscle that requires consistent stimulation in varying ways each day to stay mentally fit. If we neglect to exercise our muscles, they become soft and weak. If we fail to use our mental muscle we become susceptible disease. It is not however predestined that one will lose his mental capacity. In fact research strongly suggests that regular physical and mental exercises can keep the mind clear, sharp and functioning optimally throughout your entire life. Begin a regimen to maintain mental vitality.
Try the following suggestions to challenge your mind, keeping it healthy and sharp:
- Exercise your mind
- Reduces or eliminate drug and alcohol consumption
- Follow a regular exercise program, learn to reduce stress in your life
- Maintain a health, holistic diet
- After retirement choose a hobby, volunteer or work part-time (ok maybe not)
Try these mental exercises:
- Read stimulating books and magazines
- Do crossword puzzles
- Do calculations in your head
- Play board games such as trivia, chess and scrabble
- Use your non-dominate hand to brush your teeth, comb your hair and other task
- Test your memory with card games (old maid), name retention or grocery list
- Use your computer for learning about new endeavors such as on-line courses, special interest, current affairs and communication with family and friends
- Read backwards
- Read upside down
"It is not enough to have a good mind; the main thing is to use it well." Renee Descartes
