Raise your expectations! Expect your life to not only be easy but also fun and enjoyable. Ask yourself what you can do today to make that a reality. Perhaps it is giving yourself a break from endless tasks and allowing yourself to simply be in the moment. Whether you choose to simply focus on your breath with appreciation, spend time in a garden or near a body of water, make sure it adds an element of positive energy to your day. Then commit to doing it again tomorrow, and the day after, and the day after that. Before you know it, the quality of your life will actually feel enhanced … and this is simply due to the fact that you made fun and enjoyment a priority in your life! Mindfully choose the quality of life you would like to experience and take action in the moment!

There is a well-known phrase that reveals our sensitivity to external influences. Physically, you are what you eat. Psychologically, you inhabit what you are exposed to. For instance, if you are regularly expose yourself to negative energies, there will likely be some level of tension in your life. Drama, fear-based advertising and news stories that evoke sadness within impact the body on a subconscious level. Hence, if you find that fear, worry, and anxiety are a regular part of your daily life, it would indeed be healthy to limit your exposure to negative forces.

Focus instead on creating space for peace and more positive energy. Make time for relaxing in beautiful natural settings, socializing with uplifting friends or listening to upbeat music with inspiring lyrics. These are all vital components of mind fitness!

Open new ways of thinking by expanding your knowledge. Stretch your perceptions of life and reality. Let go of any rigid thinking that limits you. Let go of perceived threats and any anxious thoughts over unknowns and view new experiences as adventures that offer immense opportunities and possibilities to expand yourself in life! Engage your imagination, cultivate a deep sense of curiosity and gently challenge yourself to step beyond normal ways of operating!

The mind is naturally geared towards negativity because it is a means for protection and survival. From the earliest beginnings of humans, the fight or flight responses triggered an adrenaline rush that helped us to avoid life threatening dangers. In todays world however, there are not nearly as many physical threats but we still experience a large amount of stress due to limiting thoughts.

Gradually shift worry, fear and negativity by practicing gratitude. Every day write down at least 5 things you are grateful for. If you already do this, write down 3 more things you are grateful for throughout your day, perhaps at every meal or when you take a break. These actions literally shift pathways in the brain and allow you to tap into more joy and peace in daily life!

Mind Fitness is all about enhancing brain usage. Parts of the brain may never be used unless we challenge ourselves in different ways. Changing your approach to life from stress and struggle to ease and flow can be very easy and a natural process.

For instance, if you normally jump out of bed in the morning and launch into a stream of set tasks, try staying in bed for a while and allow yourself to meditate, reflect and focus on setting a tone of positive energy for your day. Alternatively, you may also choose to start your day with a casual walk, allowing the moment to reveal your route and plans for the day. A glowing sky, melody of songbirds or vibrant summer blooms may draw you in surprisingly new directions. Also, word on a sign or glimpse of an eagle soaring overhead may provide insights to a problem you’ve been pondering solutions for a long time. Open your mind to possibilities!

The brain is the most adaptable organ in the human body. It can generate new cells and form new pathways throughout your entire lifetime. Like a grassy field with well worn paths from years of routine usage, new pathways can be consciously created in the brain to build more flexibility and options in life. This is the very basis of Mind Fitness as having a variety of approaches to cope with difficulties and changes are essential.

Observe habits you regularly engage in. Challenge yourself to do things differently. Perhaps you have been habitually following endless to-do lists for decades. Break away from this pattern by allowing yourself one hour, half a day, or a full day with no plans. Allow experiences to unfold moment by moment. Follow your intuition and what arises, then take action on what you value most. Enhanced vitality awaits!

The human brain works 24/7, non-stop, around the clock. Science reveals the brain uses 25% of all the blood our heart pumps. Therefore, the more blood our heart pumps, the more efficient our brain’s functioning. Heart health is vital for mind fitness.

Tip #2: Ensure a proper diet and regular exercise. These are the foundation for vitality. A proper diet ensures optimal performance while exercise increases the amount of oxygen red blood cells carried to the brain. Any type of exercises that elevates the flow of blood is beneficial. Make sure it is something you enjoy though! Walking, dancing, swimming and cycling are a few examples that are easily accessible and affordable.

Mind fitness requires not only positive thoughts and beliefs but also physical nurturing. Over the next several weeks, essential tips for enhancing the mind’s capacity to function at an optimal level will be covered. To begin with, it is helpful to understand some basics about the brain.

The mind and brain are two sides of the same coin. The brain is like a CPU, the central processing unit of a computer, while the mind is equivalent to software, selected programming for applications. The brain is a 3 lb cantaloupe sized mass of wrinkly jelly that is comprised of 80% water. Science reveals that inadequate fluid intake impairs brain functioning in significant ways, impacting one’s memory and ability to think and process information clearly.

Tip #1: Ensure adequate fluids daily, especially during the warm summer months. Be aware of foods and drinks that have dehydrating effects including those that are high in sodium and alcohol. The rewards of adequate hydration are far reaching, enhancing not only mental functioning but also physical, emotional and spiritual vitality!

Defensiveness is another source of power drain. Not being able to accept feedback and make positive changes significantly impedes the flow of natural energy. Like a fish swimming upstream, life remains a struggle.

Mindfully shift from the habit of reacting defensively to responding wisely. Shift from needing to be right and justifying a perspective to openly accepting and respecting one another. Honour both yourself and the needs of others. For instance, shift from rationalizing your stance to embracing an open mind. Receive the words of others without taking it personally. Remain objective and await a wise response from within. It may be as simple as saying “That’s interesting. I will think about it.” This powerful shift maintains the flow of your natural power.

Drama is a natural part of life. Unfortunately, drama has become a regular part of daily living for many people. Those who focus on external chaos, by either creating it or using it to avoid feelings within, disempower themselves with continuous distractions.

Are you hooked on dramas? Do you make sense of external drama as a necessary part of daily life? Focusing on and rationalizing life dramas maintains a heightened sense of alertness within and therefore drains ones sense of personal power. Reclaim power by bringing awareness to physical and emotional feelings within. This is where restoration, healing and rejuvenation begins, allowing the return of authentic power.