Mental Fitness Month
First, mental health is not a bad thing. It’s important to discuss mental health from time to time to help erase the stigma it has around it. Many people feel like taking care of their mental health comes naturally, but just like working out your body, you must work out your mind by controlling your thoughts and ensuring what’s in your head is beneficial.
Good mental health can help you get through some of the most challenging times in your life. It’s essential to ensure you’re not allowing negative thoughts to control your mood or your day. If you listen to some of our time's greatest athletes, entertainers, and icons, they don’t allow negative talk to enter their minds. They focus on their craft, make sure the right people are around them, and know how to take a negative thought and make it a positive one. Just because they’re famous doesn’t mean you can't do the same.
According to Newsweek, an average person has approximately 6,000 thoughts per day. That’s a significant number! If there are 6,000 thoughts in your head, how many do you think are positive, and how many are negative? How many of those thoughts are affecting your daily life? If you have more negative reviews than positive ones, I’m sure most days aren’t great. That’s why it’s essential to take control of what you are thinking and change the narrative that’s going on in your head.
One thing that works for me is replacing negative thoughts with positive thoughts OR thoughts that are beneficial to get through the day. The most challenging time of the day is when I wake up in the morning. Ideas come rushing through my head, and it’s more about the aches and pains from the day before. Instead of focusing on what can quickly put me in a bad mood, as I stretch and move, I remind myself that I am blessed to walk, move, run, and maneuver my way out of bed and into the bathroom! LOL! That may sound small and silly, but it works, and by the time I get to the bathroom, I’m feeling pretty good, mentally and physically.
Just like training for a 5K or marathon, you have to work so that on race day, you don’t fall apart after the first mile. Training your brain is the same way. Many of us just let our thoughts take over and dictate our day. We can change the narrative, change the voices and stories in our heads, and guide ourselves through a more positive and productive day! Find a couple of affirmations that will work for you, write them down, and stick them where you will see them every day. Change it up after a few weeks to remind yourself to stay positive and keep moving forward. #time2rise @time2r.i.s.e.
Photo credits: pexels.com
Since 2004, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (Lifeline) has been accessible nationwide by dialing 800-273-TALK (8255).
