In my early years, as a young athlete, I was taught the ingredients of a balanced exercise programme. To prevent injuries and prepare me for the race, my coach made sure that I paid careful attention to the three vital components:
- Proper stretching to warm up before and cool down after the race.
- Exercising my heart and lung functions to improve stamina.
- Building muscle strength for endurance.
To this day I know that neglecting any of these physical routines adds to my aches and pains, and affects my general well-being. When I don’t make time for weekly exercises, I feel it in my joints.
I have, however, learned that this is also true of my emotional health. When I forget to stretch my mind, to build mental stamina and daily endurance, it has a direct effect on my productivity and my happiness.
Warming up for the race starts with careful stretching. Have you ever watched a dog early in the morning? After a healthy yawn, he stretches out every limb. Do we do that – or do we sluggishly turn the kettle on for coffee? The next step is to get your heart pumping with slow movements while taking deep breaths.
Making quiet time to reflect on the day and adding to my daily gratitude journal, is my way of stretching and warming up mentally. At night time, I do the reverse – by winding down and making sure that my last thoughts are filled with peace and joy.
Stamina is defined as the strength and energy that allow you to sustain a physical or mental effort for long periods. Increasing your stamina helps you endure discomfort or stress in daily life. Mood depressions and low self-confidence can result in poor mental stamina. Just as a brisk daily walk, breathing fresh air, adds to one’s physical stamina, challenging your stale thought patterns can add to your mental ability to solve problems and think out of the box.
Ever heard of the no-pain-no-gain slogan? Building mental muscle is probably the hardest of my exercise routine. Life has taught me that endurance only comes with hard exercise, discomfort, and at times, even pain. This also applies to mental endurance. Growth comes at a price and requires a willingness to step out of your comfort zone. But that is how you conquer life’s mountains…
