Mental Aerobics: Mindful Practices for Emotional Health

Many of us are aware of the benefits of aerobics or cardiovascular exercise for the heart. Few may be aware of the benefits of mental aerobics for the brain. Mindful practices for emotional health increases your resiliency and self-regulation. It fosters clear thinking and compassionate listening.

Words have power! The word you use gives a command to the brain. The brain is the command center of the body. It signals the body to produce the required energy through your neurological system to act upon the command from the power of a word. There are 7 powerful words that effect emotional health: should, try, why, can’t, don’t, but, and sorry. Join me each week as we explore how these words effect your health.

Mindful Practice #1: Three little words: should, could, choose.  

My mother kept order and was the rule keeper. As a single parent, widowed at the age of 42, she had to be. When an assigned chore was not competed, she would give the look that implied, "You should." I heard her command: "Be Good!" each time I left the house.

Then, in my late teens, I discovered I had a different way of ordering things: I had a different understanding of what it meant to "be good." I realized that I could choose my actions based on what made sense to me. Her order was not my order. Some of her rules that governed her behavior were not mine. Instead of "shoulding" on myself, I began to pay attention to how often I used the word should. When I caught myself stating, "I should." I restated the sentence. For example, "I should clean the house today" became "I plan to clean the house on Friday."

Recently, I discovered another strategy for dealing with "shoulds." This came from a client that taught me the following logic: should, could, choose. This is a great mindful practice when you have regrets or question a decision. Use these three little words when you say, "I should have... or if only, I would have ..." For example, I should get up. I could get up. I choose not to get up right now. I choose to rest.

These two simple ways of thinking free me from the authority of others and encourages me to act out of my own authenticity. I have learned what is best for me. I know that when I embrace what is best for me it is also best for others. May you discover this simple truth.

 Activate Your Brain For the Health of It!