Implementing Practices to Foster Mental Fitness

Implementing Practices to Foster Mental Fitness

The two practices this term I found most beneficial to me is the Integral Assessment and the Universal Loving Kindness. Both practices can be implemented into my personal life to foster mental fitness.

Beginning with the Universal Loving Kindness practice---I find this practice helps me to look deeper into situations that I normally would. For example when I am at work, stuck in traffic, or out in public and I see or hear things that make me completely angry, I automatically think about his exercise. I know in the back of my mind that I should extend loving kindness universally. So instead of getting angry or frustrated, I think about what this person may be going through. Is there something that I can help them with? I quickly realize that I have no idea of what they are going through and my once out of control emotions, dissolve. I send strength and support to them through my breathing. In an instant, my mood is heightened and emotional intelligence finds me. Honestly, this practice helps me on the roadways when I am stuck in traffic. I am able to find compassion where I never could before. I realize that everyone around me is experiencing the same dilemma and wishes to be home with their family and friends. Instead of not letting a person in because I have been sitting there a long time, I let them in. It is easy to see that my thinking has changed and in that, my behavior. I do this with family as well. I find this practice helps me to have more patience than ever before because I command myself to walk in their shoes or consider their perspective. This practice to me was the most beneficial of them all. In turn for considering other people, I am personally rewarded which has a trickle effect on my mood, energy, sleep patterns and much more.

The second practice I found beneficial to mental fitness is the Integral Assessment. I understand that this asked us to look at all facets of our lives and not just one or the other, but I will say that mental fitness is only achieved if all of these aspects are nurtured. By engaging in this practice over and over, I am able to see which quadrant of my life needs the most attention at the time. If it is physical and I do not attend to it, the mental suffers and vice versa. I really enjoyed this practice because I each time I engage in it, it is different from the previous time. I am always adjusting to meet my current needs. I still need to work on my physical quadrant the most, but this assessment helps me to be accountable for all. So when I am working on the physical, the mental side raises just a little more. I understand that I am a whole person, with separate important and interacting parts.

These two practices are ones that I have participating in the most. Throughout this term, we have learned that each person is unique, therefore tailoring our transformations accordingly. I wish all of you the best in discovering what works for you personally.

Jodi