2. Mental Fitness - can it become healthier? Mental fitness is a very important aspect of our health This will assist us in creating a better mind, body and soul Several reasons why we should practice mental health and fitness Research proves a connection has and will make us under the connection we have with our bodies Explore different exercises that are available to improve on mental health
4. Benefits of mental health Being able to develop our brains it takes mental fitness. Concentration and focus is key Through mental fitness we are able to train our mind which will lead to a healthier inner and outer life style. According to Dacher (2006) our minds are flexible, dynamic and expansive, so we are able to systematically train them to form a higher amount of inner development. Even with as little as an hour a day we are able to we will be able to experience a flourishing of our health and will no longer be limited to ordinary ideas of health and remedies (Dacher, 2006).
6. Research Behind Mental Fitness Dr. Robert Ader in the 1970’s started his movement on research for mental fitness Behavioral studies were conducted with rats - he fed the rats with saccharine sweetened water mixed with nausea The rates associated sweet water with nausea The Learned behavior was triggered by the sweetened water The student indicates the mental training – where it is possible to train the mind for the expected expectation
8. More research on Mental Fitness Candace Pert led a breakthrough with science and discovered natural body proteins called Neuropeptides This was and still is valuable information for mental fitness – shows the effects of the physical realm This can effect our body functions, such as cardiac functions
10. More Research on Mental Fitness Dr. Peter Schnall conducted a study in 1998 pertaining to work stress. His study was conducted on mid level business managers to determine what their experiences with job stresses were. The research determined that managers who felt like their job was more of a goal to achieve and a game were more likely to have lower levels of stress and stress related issues than managers who just felt that the job was a stress and had feelings of helplessness and were ultimately overwhelmed. This study is necessary to the mental health field because it shows us that outside stressors can affect our mind and body if we let them. This gives us a reason to train our minds and maintain a healthy level of mental fitness, so this dose not occur.
12. Mental Fitness Exercises There are different mental fitness exercises that we can do to train our minds. One very beneficial exercise is the Loving Kindness exercise. Another kind is the Subtle Mind practice. There are other activities that are beneficial to keeping a fit mind.
14. Loving Kindness A form of meditation is practicing Loving Kindness. One must breathe in the bad and exhale the positive for results. Inner peace is achieved. Very effective way to train the mind Dacher (2006) states that if these practices are taken on with anticipation and perseverance they will be able to turn into confidence and certainty.
15. How to Perform Loving Kindness One must be comfortable to begin the exercise. There should not be any distractions and one should be in a quiet room You are able to think about someone you love dearly and focus on that person and concentrate on bright loving thoughts. After ones mind must turn those feeling toward self and think of peace Then pay attention to the feelings and thought patterns that are traveling through ones spirit Focus on the inner mind and peace Then we should turn the thought to our family and repeat the steps
17. Subtle Mind Simple practice that enables us to train our mind The subtle mind states that there are two different parts of the mind the clear and the moving. (Dacher, 2006). The clear mind is often clouded by the moving mind, so this is a way to quiet the moving mind so that we are able to control our mind more efficiently. We much watch the watcher – by paying close attention to our mind, when our mind turns in thought just gentle return the thought Calm abiding is another part of this. Calm abiding is when we achieve a stillness in our lives and maintain that stillness. This is an accomplishment because the mind is undisturbed by the normal things such as thoughts and feelings that normally bother us while trying to maintain calmness (Dacher, 2006).
18. How to Perform Subtle Mind We begin with a simple breathing exercise - make this the point of concentration Once ones breathing is able to relax the Next as the breathing becomes more rhythmic then the mind will follow. We will ease our minds and then concentrate on the focal point of our breathing. Pay close attention to what is happening within our mind, emotions and any images that may and just let them fade out of your mind Now stop – pay close attention and learn what you are discovering with your mind The mind will stabilize in the stillness We can now explore our still minds. This calm abiding will naturally evolve into unity consciousness, and our mind will become clear, quiet stable open alert and all knowing. One should keep record and write down any thought they may of had
19. Other Exercises to Strengthen Mental Fitness There are puzzles and games that are available to assist us in our mental fitness Also meditation such as yoga can also assist with mental fitness Challenging technique would trying to perform the mental exercises along with physical exercises, this will help the body and mind become healthier
20. Conclusions Strive to have a healthy life and practice mental fitness Born for inner peace and serenity Research has proven benefits and why it is beneficial There are different activities and exercises that can be done to achieve this mental fitness.
