Your wellness workout

Mental fitness is about being flexible in our thinking, adaptable in our actions, and knowing that every challenge is an opportunity to learn and grow stronger. To stay physically fit we need to consistently move our bodies. In the same way, we need to commit to certain activities on a regular basis to maintain our mental fitness...

- CHARLOTTE WISEMAN

Just as physical fitness is optimised when we combine cardio, strength and flexibility training, the mind needs some routine, some challenge, and some novelty. When you're going through tough times or dealing with lots of pressure, a stable routine can offer some safety in the midst of uncertainty. We often underestimate the power of this, and particularly of the value of quick micro-habits.

My first steps to recovery after suffering from burnout were three simple steps; a five-minute mindfulness practice in the morning, a 10-minute lunch break every day, and five minutes each evening to reflect on the strengths I had used throughout the day. Within two weeks, I noticed a huge shift in my mindset, thinking patterns, and energy.

We can have a mental illness or condition and still be mentally fit. In the same way that someone with diabetes can be physically fit, someone with an anxiety issue, bipolar disorder, or depression can also be mentally fit, if they know how to work with their condition and have the support system and resources to do so.