As we all know, the benefits of physical fitness are widespread.
Being physically fit makes us feel better about ourselves, we have more energy, we are in better health and we can actually live longer lives.
The tools available to become physically fit are everywhere.
If we really want to know how to become fit, there are plenty of fitness centers, books, videos and personal fitness instructors that can show us what to do.
However, all these tools to learn how to become fit are completely useless if the most important parts are not in place first.
We must be committed to our goal of becoming fit in the first place, and secondly but most importantly we need to take ACTION.
The action word we use when it comes to fitness is EXERCISE.
Well, when it comes to Emotional Fitness, the exact same rules apply.
The personal growth industry is massive and self-help books and videos are flying off the shelves in record numbers.
Attendance rates at seminars and weekend long wellness events continue to rise.
The global smash hit movie and best selling book, The Secret is a perfect example of the desire so many people have to improve their lives and pursue happiness, because the benefits of Emotional Fitness exceed those of physical fitness.
Though a few of the benefits are the same, like we feel better about ourselves, we have more energy and we actually live longer lives, but Emotional Fitness is a path to a happier life all around.
Longer lasting and more meaningful relationships, more success at school and in career and emotional wellness has also been found to reduce the risk of heart attack and greatly reduce the likelihood of alcohol and drug abuse.
Emotional fitness also affects our outlook on life.
We become more optimistic about our future and optimism has been proven to be a buffer against anxiety and depression.
Happy is of course not something we can be all the time, but by taking action and actually exercising happiness, we can reap enormous benefits.
Feelings of happiness release serotonin in the brain which has been shown to increase the function of our immune system.
Emotional fitness is also something that can be achieved regardless of age or physical ability, and once you become emotionally fit and continue to exercise, it will not decrease merely with age.
We can practice emotional fitness with the whole family and the benefits will last a lifetime.
Below are three things you can do as a family to exercise emotional fitness: 1.
Gratitude Journal - Each family member should have their own journal and each day at specific times, like at breakfast, after dinner or before bedtime, everyone get together for about ten minutes and write at least five things you are truly grateful for.
2.
Family Vision Board - A family vision board is not only a lot of fun to make, but the power of visualization has been proven to have profound effects.
Hang in the kitchen a large cork-board and each family member can pin up pictures from magazines of things they would like to do or places they would like to go or things they would like to have.
Hung where everyone has access to it is very important.
This exercise is easy and so much fun.
3.
Share Your Goals - This is a great dinner time activity where each person has the opportunity to share with the family their goals and aspirations.
This gives everyone the opportunity to give support to a family member and to also receive support and encouragement.
I would love to hear how these exercises are working for you and your family.
Please feel free to send me an email and I would like to feature you stories and ideas in an up coming Happiness Is...
newsletter.
Being physically fit makes us feel better about ourselves, we have more energy, we are in better health and we can actually live longer lives.
The tools available to become physically fit are everywhere.
If we really want to know how to become fit, there are plenty of fitness centers, books, videos and personal fitness instructors that can show us what to do.
However, all these tools to learn how to become fit are completely useless if the most important parts are not in place first.
We must be committed to our goal of becoming fit in the first place, and secondly but most importantly we need to take ACTION.
The action word we use when it comes to fitness is EXERCISE.
Well, when it comes to Emotional Fitness, the exact same rules apply.
The personal growth industry is massive and self-help books and videos are flying off the shelves in record numbers.
Attendance rates at seminars and weekend long wellness events continue to rise.
The global smash hit movie and best selling book, The Secret is a perfect example of the desire so many people have to improve their lives and pursue happiness, because the benefits of Emotional Fitness exceed those of physical fitness.
Though a few of the benefits are the same, like we feel better about ourselves, we have more energy and we actually live longer lives, but Emotional Fitness is a path to a happier life all around.
Longer lasting and more meaningful relationships, more success at school and in career and emotional wellness has also been found to reduce the risk of heart attack and greatly reduce the likelihood of alcohol and drug abuse.
Emotional fitness also affects our outlook on life.
We become more optimistic about our future and optimism has been proven to be a buffer against anxiety and depression.
Happy is of course not something we can be all the time, but by taking action and actually exercising happiness, we can reap enormous benefits.
Feelings of happiness release serotonin in the brain which has been shown to increase the function of our immune system.
Emotional fitness is also something that can be achieved regardless of age or physical ability, and once you become emotionally fit and continue to exercise, it will not decrease merely with age.
We can practice emotional fitness with the whole family and the benefits will last a lifetime.
Below are three things you can do as a family to exercise emotional fitness: 1.
Gratitude Journal - Each family member should have their own journal and each day at specific times, like at breakfast, after dinner or before bedtime, everyone get together for about ten minutes and write at least five things you are truly grateful for.
2.
Family Vision Board - A family vision board is not only a lot of fun to make, but the power of visualization has been proven to have profound effects.
Hang in the kitchen a large cork-board and each family member can pin up pictures from magazines of things they would like to do or places they would like to go or things they would like to have.
Hung where everyone has access to it is very important.
This exercise is easy and so much fun.
3.
Share Your Goals - This is a great dinner time activity where each person has the opportunity to share with the family their goals and aspirations.
This gives everyone the opportunity to give support to a family member and to also receive support and encouragement.
I would love to hear how these exercises are working for you and your family.
Please feel free to send me an email and I would like to feature you stories and ideas in an up coming Happiness Is...
newsletter.