We workout. We run, we bike, we row, we lift and after a while, we start to look GOOD! We feel stronger, healthier, and even younger but…there is one thing about us that in the blink of an eye, can make us feel weak…unable to move, and prevent us from reaching ANY of our goals…and it’s…

OUR MIND.

Your mind is more powerful than all of your muscles combined. It has the power to propel you to amazing success or knock you down into the worst failures imaginable. It is the source of all of our fears and is the main determining factor in whether we will reach our goals or wallow in sorrow and inaction. And during these crazy times of lockdown and isolation, our mind can make the situation seem even worse than it is. Having a strong, determined mindset is CRUCIAL to help get you through extremely tough times and keep you happy, sane, and productive. The good news is, you can “workout” your mind just like you can your body and help make yourself mentally stronger to help you in your life in a myriad of ways.

For instance, when you are working out, a strong mind will be what helps you knock out those last 2 grueling reps. A strong mind will help you choose to snack on an apple instead of a bag of potato chips. And a strong mind will help you persevere and thrive even during uncertain times such as this pandemic we are all experiencing.

Here are some helpful tips to help keep your mind strong, fit, and fueling progress in all areas of your life:

• Exercise - Make regular exercise the cornerstone of your life and it will benefit every aspect of it. Regular intense exercise improves blood flow to all parts of your body and will help in clarity of thought and the dedication it requires is a great benefit for your mindset as well.
• Goal setting - Setting goals is a fantastic way to promote mental focus in your life. Don’t just state a few things aloud that you would like in your life, but instead, dig deep and make very SPECIFIC goals. Write them down and mark them off as you achieve them. This will develop a sense of accomplishment and help keep your mind strong as you do the work to achieve them.
• Meditation - Meditation has been shown to be incredibly effective in helping one reduce stress while increasing mental acuity. There are plenty of how-to articles and free videos available online to help you understand how and why to meditate but adding this into your daily regimen can be extremely helpful in strengthening your mind.
• Brain based activities - If you don’t use your muscles, they atrophy. The same is true with your mind. Watching TV on the couch does NOT work your mind. Instead, try including some daily activities that will truly challenge your mind such as jigsaw puzzles, crossword puzzles, trivia games and the like. Reading is another activity that can help keep your mind sharp and active.

Never take your mind for granted. Working it daily to strengthen it and keep it sharp is one of the best ways to ensure that you stay healthy, happy, and moving forward with your life’s goals. The tips above can definitely help, as long as YOU put them to use…now, GET TO WORK!