Exercise Your Mind

As a culture we are obsessed with maintaining physical health. Although, paradoxically, we don’t provide access to health insurance for millions of people. Yet we know very little about practices for maintaining good mental health.

This recent New York Times article by Oliver Sacks highlights the importance of maintaining good mental health – and ways to do this. Exercise your mind. At my house this means reading, meditation and conversation in place of TV. We have no TV. Most TV shows are junk food for the mind.

Another tip for good mental health is to be around joyful, creative people. I try to fill my life with people who can model plain speaking, honesty, integrity, generosity, truthfulness, kindness and compassion. For me, being with people who embody qualities I would like to have makes it easier for me to see what this looks like everyday.

Mental health also means worrying less. As an adult I need to take care of myself and let other adults do the same. I can only control my own actions and reactions. I can’t control the actions or reactions of others.

An inspiring book by Don Miguel Ruiz, The Four Agreements, highlights four simple (but not easy) practices that will help maintain good mental health: always do your best, don’t take it personally, use impeccable speech and lastly, don’t make assumptions.

What do you do to maintain good mental health, increased joy and experience more happiness in your life?

You may also like Yoga, Sexuality and Integrity, Happiness is a Choice and Don’t Worry – Be Happy.