Mental resilience: two wonderful words that sound compact and easy. But nothing could be further from the truth, as they are loaded with meaning, giving coverage and scope to the state of our brains.
Mental health is key to living - surviving even - in today's society. Both work related pressures and our social environment require us to grow continuously. Never before has the pressure placed on our minds been greater and it's those outside factors that can cause us to suffer from stress and burnout.
The only way to safeguard ourselves from extreme forms of stress is to nourish our brains. Like a muscle, our brain responds to exercise which helps it grow and become stronger. So much as it's great that you do sports, make no mistake: you can't have a strong body without a strong mind.
It's important to challenge yourself and step out of your comfort zone on a regular basis. It gives your brain that daily exercise it so desperately needs. That it deserves! New impulses stimulate your neuronal system, boosting your brain cells in the process. You may notice your memory improving, your focus becoming stronger and feeling more vital overall.
You can develop your own fitness programme, or start exercising your brain with the help of a professional fitness instructor. A mental fitness instructor that is. Together with this consultant you will step outside of your comfort zone and go in search of your triggers in a safe environment. The aim is to develop your own, tailored approach to building mental resilience.
Start small and go from there. Start by taking the stairs instead of the elevator at the office and take a walk out in nature as often as you can. Set boundaries and say 'no' when you need to. Small steps can lead to big wins, so start taking those baby steps today.