How Are You Spending Your Mental Energy?

 

Mental Health

By Joy Stephenson-Laws, JD, Founder

 

We’ve all looked at toddlers running around in circles with seemingly endless energy and have said to ourselves: I wish I had that energy, or I wish I could bottle that energy and sell it

As adults we may not have the physical energy of a toddler, however, considering we have up to 60,000 to 70,000 thoughts per day makes me believe we certainly have the mental energy comparable to the physical energy of a small child. The mind has the abilitiy to just keep going and going. Taking a mental break can be a lot harder than taking a physical break. 

When we are depleted of our physical energy, it’s generally pretty easy to lay on the couch or maybe take a nap. But our mental energy just seems endless as we have thousands and thousands of thoughts each day. Mental energy results in thoughts which can have a huge impact on our habits. And our daily habits create many aspects of our lives. For example, if we constantly think it is too difficult to workout or eat healthily the more likely we will be sedentary or eat junk food. As a result, we may be prone to being overweight and unhealthy.

If we think we are never good enough, the less likely we will be to go for that job promotion or take a risk that can elevate our lives. Perhaps we think we do not deserve it, or we are afraid to fail. As a result, we stay stagnant in our lives and sad that we can’t seem to move forward.

This is why it is a good idea to be cognizant of how we spend our mental energy. I spend my mental being grateful for the opportunity to learn and improve myself. I get to love myself and spend time identifying and acting on those thoughts which bring me peace. Our mental energy is non-stop, and it’s up to us to determine whether we want to entertain negative or positive energy. At the end of the day, it is our mental energy that creates our experiences and where our focus goes, energy flows.

"If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are anxious, you are living in the future. If you are at peace, you are living in the present." Lao Tzu - Ancient Chinese Philosopher

I love this quote. We cannot change the past or predict the future. The future is also not promised, so why waste time outside of the present. I like to say it’s called the present for a reason, because it is a gift. 

To really focus on the present, sometimes it’s important to not even think and curb our physical activities and just be still. Focus on the activity you are currently performing.  Maybe, it is as simple as brushing your teeth, doing a few stretches or drinking a big glass of water. This all isn’t to say that you should never plan ahead, however, it is also necessary to look directly at what is in front of you and be in the moment.

Protecting our mental energy may not be easy, but we can get better with practice and intention. It really can be life-changing if we commit to it and view it as an essential part of our daily living. For more tips on mental training and fitness, check out these pH blogs.

 

Enjoy your healthy life!

 

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice. Please consult with your doctor or another competent healthcare practitioner to get specific medical advice for your situation.                               

 

The pH professional health care team includes recognized experts from a variety of health care and related disciplines, including physicians, attorneys, nutritionists, nurses, and certified fitness instructors. This team also includes the members of the pH Medical Advisory Board, which constantly monitors all pH programs, products, and services. To learn more about the pH Medical Advisory Board, click here.

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