1. Importance of Mental Fitness Integral Health The Path to Human Flourishing

2. The Mind-Body Connection The condition of the body is a reflection of the mind. Healthy mind=Healthy physiology.

3. What is good emotional health People with good emotional health are aware of their thoughts, feelings and behaviors. They have learned healthy ways to cope with the stress and problems that are a normal part of life. They feel good about themselves and have healthy relations Retrieved from: http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/healthy/mental/782.html

4. How can my emotions affect my health? Back pain Change in appetite Chest pain Constipation or diarrhea Dry mouth Extreme tiredness General aches and pains Headaches High blood pressure Insomnia (trouble sleeping) Lightheadedness Palpitations (the feeling that your heart is racing) Sexual problems Shortness of breath Stiff neck Sweating Upset stomach Weight gain or loss Retrieved from: http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/healthy/mental/782.html

5. Research StudiesPart 1 Endorphins: Discovered in 1975, the role of endorphins is still being studied. They are believed to: relieve pain; enhance the immune system; reduce stress; and delay the aging process. Exercise stimulates the release of endorphins, sending these depression-fighting, contentment-building chemicals throughout the body. Endorphin release can be stimulated by meditation and breathing deeply . Canadian Health Association. Retrieved May 25, 2010. From:http://www.cmha.ca/bins/content_page.asp?cid=2-267-1320-1321

6. Research Studiescont. Mind over Matter: The article calls it “mind over mind-over-body:” the art of tricking your mind into believing it’s not actually forcing your body to do the things that nobody but your ego and maybe a small part of your spiritual self want it to do. The result is an ability to jump higher, run faster, and cycle farther than the preconceived - and rather unimaginative limits of the concious mind would generally allow. Reference: Endurance. Retrieved May 25, 2010. From:http://www.psychologist.us.com/landing1.cfm?keywords=mental+health&content=Mental+Health&referrer=yahoo&camp=Psychologist-1&group=mental+health&keyword=mental+health+research

7. Research studiescont. Meditation: In the April 2004 issue of the American Journal of Hypertension, Dr. Barnes and his colleagues reported that 15 minutes of twice-daily transcendental meditation steadily lowered the blood pressure of 156 black, inner-city adolescents and their pressures tended to stay lower. This new study, being presented during the 63rd Annual Scientific Conference of the American Psychosomatic Society held March 2-5 2007 in Vancouver, focused on 111 of those adolescents, 57 who meditated and 54 controls. Reference: Meditation May Reduce Heart Disease Risk. Retrieved, May 23, 2010. From: http://chetday.com/meditationheartdisease.htm

8. Improving Mental FitnessPart 2 Exercise: Not only keeps your body fit and your heart healthy, it improves mental functioning. Walking two hours a week can have benefits. More exercise brings even more benefits. Exercise enhances memory and improves thinking. In short, exercising your body makes your brain work better. Reference Longevity Retrieved May 24, 2010. From: http://longevity.about.com/od/mentalfitness/ht/mentalfitness.htm

9. Improving Mental Fitnesspart 2 cont. Meditation: Daily meditation is perhaps the single greatest thing we can do for your mind/body health. Meditation not only relaxes you, it gives your brain a workout. By creating a different mental state, you engage your brain in new and interesting ways while increasing your brain fitness. Reference Longevity Retrieved May 24, 2010. From: http://longevity.about.com/od/mentalfitness/ht/mentalfitness.htm

10. ConclusionFor optimal mental fitness Express your feelings in appropriate ways. Live a balanced life. Develop resilience. Calm your mind and body. Take care of yourself. "The power which a man's imagination has over his body to heal it or make it sick is a force which none of us are born without. The first man had it; the last one will possess it." -Mark Twain, 1903 Family Doctor Retrieved from: http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/healthy/mental/782.html

11. References Canadian Health Association. Retrieved May 25, 2010. From: http://www.cmha.ca/bins/content_page.asp?cid=2-267-1320-1321 Endurance. Retrieved May 25, 2010. From: http://www.psychologist.us.com/landing1.cfm?keywords=mental+health&c ontent=Mental+Health&referrer=yahoo&camp=Psychologist- 1&group=mental+health&keyword=mental+health+research Longevity Retrieved May 24, 2010. From: http://longevity.about.com/od/mentalfitness/ht/mentalfitness.htm Meditation May Reduce Heart Disease Risk. Retrieved, May 23, 2010. From: http://chetday.com/meditationheartdisease.htm Mental Health. Retrieved, May 25, 2010 From: http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/healthy/mental/782.html