Tuesday, July 30, 2019

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - July 30th


The strength of your mind determines the quality of your life. ― Edmond Mbiaka



A powerful physical body is only the result of an even more powerful mind. – Michael D’Aulerio



Increasing the strength of our minds is the only way to reduce the difficulty of life. ― Mokokoma Mokhonoana



Over the last few weeks, Terri’s Tuesday Tip of the Week has been discussing improving mental fitness through positive self-talk, visualizing, journaling, physical fitness, tantalizing conversations and games.   



Throughout 2019, the author has been questioning the next mental fitness exercise…reading.  The author greatly enjoys reading about history and military topics.  However, through her research on mental fitness, the author has been challenged to expand her reading categories.



Research indicates that by varying reading topics individuals challenge their minds to learn about different ideas and concepts, contemplate different time periods and cultures, etc.  This knowledge provides individuals the opportunity to synthesize information read, discuss what they learned while having conversations with friends with different perspectives and analyze different parts of life.  By analyzing information, individuals have the opportunity to work on their mental fitness. 



For example, science is not a strength of the author.  Recently, she took time to research Apollo 11 due to the 50th anniversary of the landing on the moon.  Through her research, the author learned that the spacesuits worn during Apollo 11 were actually hand sewn.  Furthermore, she learned that the spacesuits worn during the walk on the moon were never cleaned after returning to earth providing scientists the opportunity to analyze the moon dust on the suits in recent years.  The author took her own advice and discussed these topics with friends when they went to the National Mall to participate in the historic events about Apollo 11 landing on the moon providing her the opportunity to work on her mental fitness!



One thought on the television…many articles and even the author are often proponents of turning off the television.  However, the author would suggest readers take time to determine if television is beneficial.  In her research about Apollo 11, the author learned that the spacesuits were hand sewn via a news story.  The author has often reviewed various stations on television such as the Smithsonian channel, History channel, etc. providing great insights for the author.  The author is suggesting that the television can be beneficial if the reader uses it for good purposes. 



CHALLENGE:  Read an article about something that is outside your comfort zone and then discuss with a friend or family member. 



Resources

·       Today Show Segment about Space Suit - https://youtu.be/s1nfA1yAndk































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Tuesday, July 23, 2019

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - July 23rd


What you are thinking, what shape your mind is in, is what makes the biggest difference of all.  - Willie Mays



I’m about five inches from being an outstanding golfer. That’s the distance my left ear is from my right.  ~ Ben Crenshaw



Most months, the author goes to a senior living home to paint fingernails for the residents.  In July, there was a plethora of volunteers so the author had the opportunity to play checkers with one of the residents.  As she was playing, she quickly realized how strategic the game of checkers was.  It was very important to think two or three moves ahead to set up the checker board to win.  Afterwards, she thought back to a New Year’s Day party where she played connect four.  During that game, she had also realized the importance of thinking strategically to create the opportunity to win.  Through these two experiences, the author learned that mental fitness can be fun.



Board games incorporates two different recommended activities for mental fitness…interacting with people and playing games.  However, it is also important to find ways to work on mental fitness via games when alone.  Suggested ideas include Soduko, crossword puzzles and electronic games.  The author recently downloaded a game on her phone and became enthralled with making words out of four, five or six letters.  Through this, she has learned new words and worked on her mental fitness.  Electronic games can be beneficial because they work on reasoning, word skills and math.  And these games are easy and simple to do even when one is tired and worn out from a long day at the office.  Furthermore, they can be done anywhere such as riding the Metro, waiting in a car or standing in line to check out at the grocery store.   






Physical strength will get you to the start line.  But mental strength will get you to the finish line. – fitnesschat.co (https://www.pinterest.com/pin/667166132279665215/)







CHALLENGE:  Find a way to challenge your brain during downtimes.  Download a new game on your phone, search for crossword puzzles online, etc. 





Resources




























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Tuesday, July 16, 2019

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - July 16th


It all begins with you. If you do not care for yourself, you will not be strong enough to take care of anything in your life. — Leon Brown



Every day begins with an act of courage and hope: getting out of bed. — Mason Cooley



1.       Physical fitness assists with mental fitness.  According to Truweight, endorphins sometimes called “happy hormones” are released in the body while exercising providing a boost of energy and making individuals feel better.  If time is tight in a day, stair climbing provides a great way to improve mental fitness.  Regular stair climbing helps reduce stress and lowers the risk of tension in the body.  


I'll take the stairs instead of the elevator, or when I'm on a phone call, I'll do squats or pace the room when I'm talking. We're modern women! We have to figure out how to make it work, right? - Ivanka Trump



2.       Stimulating and challenging conversations are an excellent way to improve mental fitness.  By discussing different topics with a broad range of friends and family, the mind has the opportunity to question, analyze and grow.



Be with someone that’s good for your mental health. Someone who brings you inner peace. Someone who challenges your bad habits, but supports your process of change. — Unknown



Use your words for good. what we say can lift people up or tear them down. with each kind of words we create more positive energy. — Unknown



As the author has mentioned, her apartment fire provided her the opportunity to make new friends.  Through these friendships with people from different demographics, lifestyles and occupations, the author’s mental fitness has been challenged and improved. 



Spend time with people who are good for your mental health. — Unknown





CHALLENGE:  Participate in some form of physical fitness with a friend or family member to work on your mental fitness. 



Resources






















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Tuesday, July 9, 2019

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - July 9th


Thinking is the toughest kind of work which is why so many people avoid it. ― Orrin Woodward



Health isn’t just about what you eat. It’s about what you are thinking and feeling too. — Unknown



Mental Health is measured though motivation to live; the more plans you have and the more significant they are, the more healthy you are. — Mark Brightlife



Mental fitness develops the brain and improves mental health.  According to healthline.com, mental fitness is just as important as physical fitness and should be incorporated into our daily lives.  As summer is in full swing, it is important to maintain mental fitness and there are many activities one can add to their daily life.  Here are a few that can assist with the mind-body connection:



1.       Visualizing helps individuals accomplish their dreams as was discussed in Terri’s Tuesday Tip of the Week in February of 2019.  Additionally, it helps with mental fitness by allowing an individual to close one’s eyes and go to there “happy place” to relax and help relieve stress.  Often, individuals will visualize removing emotional baggage to help them reduce stress. 



2.       Journaling allows an individual to write down their feelings providing a release of mental baggage and can transform an individual’s life.  During journaling, individuals often discover answers to problems and come up with creative new ideas.



3.       Positive self-talk is vital because individuals believe more of what they say to themselves than what others tell them.  Self-talk builds up one’s confidence, motivation and productivity.  The author can attest that positive self-talk is vital to improving mental fitness and living a happy and joyous life. 

   

Loving or hating the life you are living is solely all in your repeated self-talk. ― Edmond Mbiaka



Positive self-talk is to emotional pain as pain pill is to physical pain.

― Edmond Mbiaka



These activities are more prone to assist with stress relief and the summer is often already relaxing.  However, this is a great time to incorporate a mental fitness routine into one’s life to prepare for the craziness of life in the fall. 



CHALLENGE:  Try one of the mental fitness activities to improve mental toughness.  





































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