Mental and Emotional Fitness for Women

The fitness mantra has been taken over by many people and women are not far. Physical fitness has always been given importance even more by Doctors. I had heard a talk by a renowned cardiologist on heart ailments and cure. He spoke about the importance of physical fitness. The Doctor nowhere mentioned the importance of mental and emotional fitness.

For example, when a woman is pregnant, all in the family including her focus on her well-being. They will do everything to keep her happy and charged up. However, once the baby is delivered, people forget that the mothers need to be happy irrespective of if she is pregnant or not. The whole focus now shifts to losing weight and being fit.

With Hormonal changes happening in a woman, a woman needs to also focus on mental and emotional fitness a big neglected area.

10 things that a woman can do to work on mental and emotional fitness

•        Let go – Let go of adhering to others’ expectations. Stop comparing yourself to other women. You are born with your DNA and circumstances. Every time you compare, make a mental note- ‘My DNA is different’. Every person has their own journey.
•   .    It is OK to make mistakes - Who said you have to be perfect all the time. Your moms? The majority of women have seen/ faced the consequences of being perfect. So what are the things women want to do perfectly, below are a few examples

Perfections	Experiments
Match the entire wardrobe	§  Try experimenting colors that you would otherwise avoid §  Wear different socks on each foot while going for a workout
Food	§  Use less salt (this has its own benefits) §  Eating healthy is good. Who said indulgence is a sin. Have your cake and eat it too.
Children	§  Practice non-interference. It is OK for a child to get less marks. It is OK for them to fail. Tolerance for mistakes is key.
Looks	§  You don’t need to look good all the time. Try looking untidy, Let your hair be freezy. It is fun.

• .      Stop pleasing – Learn to say NO. The only person you need to please is yourself. Stop being a perfect daughter, mom, and wife. If things go wrong in the family, stop being responsible.
•   .    Get out of the guilt trap – Women are conditioned to be guilty. Learn to stop expecting from yourself. Guilt for not being the perfect daughter, wife, mother, or friend.
•   .    Your happiness is only in your hands – When were the times you were really really happy. No one can make anyone happy. The moment you start expecting that your parents, husband, and children will make you happy. Deep down they cannot make you happy.
•   .    Compromise – Let go this word out of the dictionary. Self-pity is the enemy of a woman. It is easier said than done. The majority of the women are graduates in compromising for parents, in-laws husbands, and children. Make a small diary and list things where you feel you have compromised and work on it.
•   .    Aware – Be aware of what is happening within you. Being aware of your emotions. List your emotions - happy, jealous, fear, resentment, blame, anger, worry, and guilt. Listing this will help you be more aware of your senses.
•   .    Get financially independent – Financially independent means not just earning money but also managing it. It will do wonders for your self-esteem.
•   .    Take out time to yourself – Go watch movies, meet friends. Solitude has its own power and benefits.
•     . Mediate – Once a day meditation will do wonders to balance your emotions. Meditation helps you to calm down and work on your anxieties. Meditation helps you to think clearly. Experts recommend a minimum of half an hour of meditation.

The above 10 are a part of habits that can be inculcated the same way as we may go for a gym or a workout. A lot depends on how serious you are to develop your mental and emotional fitness.

Stay happy stay healthy

With Gratitude

Dr. Sonali Wagle