HEALTHY MINDSET
Having a healthy mindset is even more important in these challenging times. When many things feel uncertain or out of our control, one of the most effective ways we can manage stress and anxiety is to focus on the actions that are in our control.
You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realise this and you will find strength. ~ Marcus Aurelius
Sometimes we can be physically fit and healthy, but our minds can be a toxic place. Many of us are guilty of putting unrealistic expectations on ourselves. We need to understand that we are only as healthy as our mind is.
WHY ~ BECAUSE OUR MIND RUNS THE SHOW!
You may not realise this, but everything you do (or don’t do) to make progress with your, health, fitness and goals is a choice. Being able to change your mindset means being able to change your LIFE. Your point of view and the way you think about health has so much to do with how healthy you are now, and how easily you’re able to reach your goals in the future. The more I’ve looked into how mindset works, the more I’ve noticed that there are certain patterns and/or thoughts that hold us back when we’re trying to make changes. Thoughts that always comes up for me are: I can’t, or what if I fail? When our thoughts are unhealthy, we tend to give way to insecurity, uncertainty, overwhelm, and worry. If you’re an over thinker, procrastinator, or perfectionist, you will definitely benefit from some of these tips.
SO WHAT DO YOU NEED FOR A HEALTHY MINDSET?
There are many ways to help develop a healthy mindset, however to make a start below are five things we can focus on to cultivate greater fulfillment, joy, and success. These are just some suggestions, don’t stress if it doesn’t click straightaway. Like anything, good things take time. If you can just take 2-3 things from this list and make a conscious effort to work on them, you will begin to see incredible growth in your mindset.
THE 5 C’S OF A HEALTHY MINDSET
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CALMNESS
The ability to calm your mind when you’re under pressure is crucial to a healthy mindset. When your thoughts are all over the place, it’s difficult to see things as they really are. Calmness comes when you bring awareness to what’s happening and what you’re thinking. By figuring out your go to strategies that calm your mind, you can center yourself and recognise when you’re overthinking or worrying about insignificant details. One very simple centering strategy I use myself to bring me back to a calm state is BOX breathing.
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CLARITY
Having a clear idea of what’s important to you is key to dealing with indecision. So much of our brain space gets taken up when we’re unsure of who we are and what we want. When you get clear on your priorities, goals, and values, you can remove the overwhelm that comes from uncertainty.
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COMPASSION
One of the biggest contributors to an unhealthy mindset is a lack of compassion towards yourself. When you’re constantly comparing yourself to others, pressuring yourself to be perfect, and doubting your own abilities, you only sabotage your success. Compassion allows you to accept yourself, set healthy expectations, and trust yourself and the journey you’re on.
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CONCENTRATION
We live in the age of distractions, which makes it all too easy to lose track of what’s important to you and even who you are. When you focus on what other people are doing instead of your own path, you get stuck. Focus on what matters and making sacrifices with your time allows you to follow through and actually make progress.
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COURAGE
Courage helps us take action. When we procrastinate and avoid taking action, we keep ourselves stuck. Courage might sound like it’s about taking big, scary leaps into the unknown, but sometimes courage is as small as tackling a simple task you’ve been putting off. Courage allows us to take imperfect action, and that action helps us to build confidence, resiliency, and strength within ourselves.
TAKE HOME NOTE:
In today’s craziness we can still take control of our own mind. We can succumb to the stress and uncertainty that is currently upon us, or we can gain clarity of what is important to us. Take time to work on ourselves and realign our goals. Crediting The Blissful Mind, Work Week Lunch, Medical News Today