Whatever form of fitness you prefer—yoga, running, boxing, swimming, Pilates, strength training—you are certainly aware that exercise is a crucial component of your general well-being. What if we adopted the same proactive mindset to maintain our mental health?
The world’s first gym for mental health, Coa, was founded by Alexa Meyer and Emily Anhalt, PsyD, in response to that very question. What’s wrong with you and how can we solve it are the main ideas that come to mind when people think of mental health, according to Anhalt, speaking to mbg. “We were curious as to how these things appear while they are being worked on before a problem arises. An emotional pushup is what? An emotional plank is what?”
7 qualities of Improving Your Emotional Fitness
1. Self-awareness
According to Anhalt, this is the first quality on the list for a reason since it’s difficult to grow or change anything if we can’t see it. The focus of this initial phase is on introspection and becoming aware of your emotional triggers and prejudices.
2. Empathy
According to Anhalt, “Empathy is understanding and tolerating other people’s feelings if self-awareness is knowing and tolerating your own emotions.” In other words, this quality entails considering others’ perspectives. Consider (and care about) what other people in your life may be experiencing, then allow yourself to truly feel what they are feeling.
3. Mindfulness
The term “mindfulness” is frequently used to refer to being in the present moment or in touch with one’s inner self. However, a slightly different definition of this emotional fitness feature emerges: According to Anhalt, mindfulness is being more at ease with discomfort. “If you’re not present, it’s generally because something about it makes you uncomfortable. By strengthening that muscle, you’ll become more adept at being present.”
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4. Playfulness
In improv theatre, it’s common practice for participants to say “yes, and,” which means they accept what another player has said and then expand on it. The meaning of “playfulness” in terms of emotional wellness is the same. Anhalt says that this involves “meeting people where they are, reducing barriers, and being able to get to areas that you wouldn’t be able to get if you shut off the conversation—or if you felt like you had to explain why an idea wouldn’t work.”
5. Curiosity
Anhalt explains, “Our concept of curiosity is what does it look like to prefer progress above defensiveness. That implies that rather than resisting or ignoring a difficult truth, you should instead ask questions about it. It’s about being able to face the truths that, while they might not feel pleasant to hear right away, will eventually help you become a better version of yourself.
6. Resilience
Resilience, which promotes endurance despite adversity, has recently taken on some buzzword status. Resilience is, in the context of emotional fitness, about recovering from setbacks and disappointments; nevertheless, it’s necessary to do more than simply move on. Failure is inevitable in life, so Anhalt asks, “What does it look like to meet it head-on and to genuinely feel your feelings? We’re really trying to take some of the stings out of the word failure.”
7. Communication
Of course, communication is always important, and it’s a skill you need to develop if you want to be mentally fit. Take into account these two inquiries from Anhalt: “How can we express our requirements, demands, and boundaries? How do we listen to others and communicate what has to be said?”
