Mental Health vs Mental Fitness
Chrissy Orson
I was listening to something a few days ago which spoke about mental fitness and it really got me thinking. It was a concept that made so much sense…
What is Mental Fitness?
I usually describe mental health as referring to our emotional, psychological and social well-being. Our mental health can affect how we think, feel and act, which in turn influences how we handle stress, our relationships with others and even our decision-making. But what about mental fitness?
In reality, mental health and mental fitness are two sides of the same coin. If mental health is what I described here, then how can we work towards experiencing positive mental health more of the time?
That’s where mental fitness comes in! Mental fitness is the act of maintaining and improving our well-being, which just like physical health, takes time and a level of consistent effort. Mental health isn’t something you achieve once and then keep forever, in the same way we can’t run a 5km once without any training, or keep up running if we stop making the effort to keep fit. Mental fitness is something we must work on regularly to allow us to stay at our best, and maintain our emotional resilience.
That doesn’t mean we have to have a million habits and an Instagram-able morning routine, nor does it mean we won’t experience the normal ups and downs of everyday life. What it means is taking some small actions which contribute to your mental fitness, every day, or at least most of the time
Small Steps for Mental Fitness
Practice mindfulness: Just a few moments of mindful breathing or meditation can help reduce stress and increase your focus. Try putting your phone down and paying attention on a walk, use an app such as Headspace or Calm, or test out one of the short meditations on your smart watch.
Stay active: Regular physical exercise releases endorphins, the “feel-good” chemicals that naturally boost your mood. This doesn’t have to be hours in the gym, it could be kicking a ball around with the kids or dancing round your kitchen!
Connect with others: Socialising with friends or family, even briefly, strengthens your sense of belonging and support. We are social beings and do better when we don’t feel isolated.
Keep a journal: Writing down your thoughts can provide clarity and help you process emotions. You can use prompts or ‘free-write’ anything which comes to mind.
Sleep well: Prioritise sleep, as a well-rested mind is more resilient and able to manage stress. Let’s face it, everything is worse when we’re tired!
How Therapy and Coaching Support Mental Fitness
Therapy isn’t just for when something is “wrong”, it can be a proactive tool for maintaining and strengthening your mental fitness. A therapist offers objective insights, teaches coping mechanisms, and helps you uncover patterns that may be holding you back.
Similarly, coaching can play a vital role, providing guidance, accountability, and encouragement as you set goals and pursue personal growth. Whether it’s life coaching, career coaching, or mental health coaching, this process can help you stay focussed, overcome obstacles, and enhance your resilience.
Both therapy and coaching act like personal trainers for your mind, supporting your continued mental fitness. By investing in yourself regularly, you can cultivate a healthy, resilient mindset that grows stronger over time.
Want to know more about how either therapy or coaching could support you to be at your best more of the time? Get in touch to arrange an informal chat.