For greater physical and overall health and fitness,

~Just change your mind

What is mental fitness?

The benefits of mental fitness.

The implications of mental fitness on physical wellness.

Studies demonstrating the healing qualities of mental & spiritual focus.

Mental fitness exercises, step by step .

We have all heard of “if you don’t use it, you will lose it”, mental fitness is a work-out for the mind.

“There are no limits to developing the qualities of the mind” therefore when trained, the mind has potentials still unknown and permanent changes can be made (Dacher 2006. p. 22),

Using tools to look within the mind and fine tune the areas that are scattered, intentionally and dynamically.

Mental fitness that is transformative is found in a higher level of consciousness (a process of awareness of all human experience). (Dacher, 2006).

It is not a new way of thinking in all parts of the world yet, new to the Western world; Mental fitness has been shown to be a key factor in overall health and well-being (Dacher, 2006).

The mind has been found to be interconnected with the workings of the body, therefore if you are mentally fit, there is greater benefits to your body and overall health and physical/biological well-being (Dacher, 2006).

Being physically fit is said to be of great importance to longevity of life as well as overall quality of life, so too is having good Mental fitness. (Dacher, 2006).

“There is scientific evidence that it may be possible to permanently transform our body, mind, and spirit” by training the mind (Dacher 2006. p. 22).

There is much evidence that prayer and devotion (which is a part of the human experience and higher level of consciousness or mental fitness) “are directly correlated with positive health outcomes” (Schlitz, Amorok, Micozzi, 2005. p. 230).

Empirical research is showing that many ideas of spirituality, i.e. relationships with a deity, religiousness, faith, etc. are significant for health, healing, and physiology (Schlitz, Amorok, Micozzi, 2005).

In 1988 by Randolph Byrd, published a study on the effects of intercessory prayer on the health of cardiac patients. Although not without its problems to overcome, this study shows heath improvements on several counts.

Studies have also shown that “mental training can transform the mind by reducing disturbing emotions that cause anger, hatred, fear, etc. While enhancing resistance to mental distress and physical disease (Dacher

2006. p. 63).

By studying the physical/biological medicine of the Western world, and the inner/mind/spirit teachings of the Eastern world, we are finding that it takes a combination of both to attain total mind/body health and fitness (Dacher 2006).

The mind and body are interconnected and both of their functions can be changed with practice.

The mind has the ability to control pulse or blood pressure by relaxing or calming using deep breathing; with the mind’s help one can achieve higher levels of physical fitness by using the mind’s eye to see greater levels of fitness. Visualize the change you want to see/be.

Doctors spend years practicing medicine in the attempt to heal the physical body from all of the diseases it can have and still never have lasting effects without getting to the root of the cause.

In the 1970’s Candace Pert discovered “neuropeptides”, which carry messages throughout the body. Through this discovery it was found “that our thoughts, feelings and images can produce specific neuropeptides that alter our physiology, which means a mental event can lead to a physical event” (Dacher 2006. p. 17).

In 1998 Dr. Peter Schnall published research material that in effect showed that even though many experience job stress or demanding employment responsibilities , only those who could not see this as a challenge but as an extreme stress developed physical illnesses, yet those who had a more calm mental outlook on the work did not (Dacher 2006).

Knowing now that the mind and body are interconnected and the mind can make changes to the body through our thought processes, we are forced to see that we must make the effort to improve our mental fitness if we ever hope to improve our physical fitness. “The human experience expresses itself in four ways, Psychospiritual, Biological, Interpersonal, and Worldly, all of which must be addressed (Dacher 2006. p. 36).

Although arguably there are many simple ways to exercise your mind: word games, trivia, continuing education, reading, reading, and reading, the exercising which will be discussed here to attain Mental Fitness that transforms the physical as well are those that promote inner peace, freedom of anxiety or stress, moving to higher levels of awareness of self that can help the mind, body, and spirit function well even through those times that are less than favorable for peace and tranquility.

To get our mind in a place to be capable of healing our physical body, we must develop our psychospiritual consciousness (Dacher, 2006).

Besides exercises such as Tai-chi which uses gentle movements to promote serenity and reduce stress, another method used to explore and evolve the inner or psychospiritual life is through contemplative practice (Dacher, 2006).

One form of comtemplative practice is Loving-Kindness which opens the heart to get rid of self-centeredness which is going to be detailed here (Dacher, 2006).

Another form of contemplative practice is The subtle mind which trains our mind to access its higher levels of consciousness where the inner healing resources are (Dacher, 2006).

Set aside 15 minutes per day that can be dedicated to developing a calm mind. (Can start out at 5 or 10 min.)

Sit comfortably in a chair, close your eyes and relax your body.

Think of someone you hold dear to you and think of them completely and fully, experiencing all the love that you have that that individual.

Now, let yourself feel those strong, loving feelings towards yourself. Every thought or feeling that comes to you about yourself (good or bad), feel it and give it your love and attention and then let them go, do not hold onto those thoughts or feelings.

Now, let your mind shift towards everything that enters it, thoughts, feelings, images, happy or sad, pleasant or not and give them your attention and love let them go without attachment.

all instructions retrieved from (Dacher, 2006)

Now, look to your inner mind which is your true home, the stillness and peace and give it all the love you have in your heart.

“Finally, fully embrace yourself for the unique and precious expression of life that you are”. Loving your self is what enables you to give love out to others.

Next, you are asked to think of someone that is suffering. While you breathe in and out think of this loved ones sufferings and when you breathe in, take their suffering into yourself, visualizing their suffering moving from them to you and let it dissipate in your heart.

When you breathe out, visualize what you could do for your loved one and send that out to them through your breath, sending that person love, and happiness, health and wholeness. Continue this for several minutes.

Now include all people into your awareness and breathe in their suffering and out your love and support, health, happiness and wholeness.

All instructions retrieved from (Dacher, 2006)

Now, include all living beings, even those you would not consider helping otherwise. Visualize a large group standing in front of you and breathe in their suffering and breathe out health and wellness. Continue this practice.

Remember that this practice is meant to relieve your selfishness and cultivate a loving-kindness for others and to calm your mind.

When the 15 minutes is up, allow yourself to stay at peace and reflect on the practice for a few more minutes then slowly return to your previous activities.

Try this once or twice daily until you are ready to move forward into the next guided meditation of ~The Subtle Mind practice.

All instructions were retrieved from (Dacher, 2006).

The concept of mental fitness having an impact on our physical fitness or overall health and wellbeing, although not a new concept, is new to many and a difficult one to grasp quickly, it takes much reading and research into the various studies, findings, theories.

This power point is but one rung on the ladder of your mind, body growth climb.

Mental fitness development holds many benefits in itself as well as vast implications to mind, body and spirit transformations of whole person health and well-being.

With the use of mental exercises, you can train your mind to higher levels of consciousness to find Unity and the source of your true healing capabilities.

Only you can make the decision to grow in this new way of thinking or remain. ~Choose wisely Grasshopper!

References

Dacher, E. S. (2006). Integral health, the path to human flourishing. Laguna Beach, CA: Basic Health Publications, Inc.

Schlitz, M., Amorok, T. & Micozzi, M. S., (2005). Consciousness and healing, integral approaches to mind-body medicine. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier, Churchill, Livingstone.