Mental fitness when feeling overwhelmed

Mental fitness when feeling overwhelmed

Three powerful ways to strengthen your mental fitness when feeling overwhelmed. My assumption is that you can't yet take a break.

One is a tactic, one is a mindset, one is a habit:

The Tactic

What bothers you likely starts with a mental trigger, a thought. You must develop awareness of your bodily sensations - aches, pains, pressures - because these thoughts are always preceded by physical discomfort. If you learn to notice the discomfort, you will recognise that the thought is just an automatic response. Acting on it does not serve you. The goal is that you are giving yourself the option of not being pulled into it. Learn to watch your thoughts.

The Habit

Ideally, you won’t just 'fix' the problem in front of you. It is better to outgrow it, so it no longer bothers you and you can work on more meaningful problems. Think of a recurring challenge you used to face, that no longer affects you - at some level, you outgrew it, right? The habit is to develop is the 7-11 breathing technique: Breathe in for a count of 7, then exhale for a count of 11. Repeat this at least 3 times, or until you feel grounded, your breathing deepens, and you can relax into the moment. When you do this, your ability to think clearly expands and you will know what steps to take next. Mental fitness begins with the body. It is not just a mental game. As simple as it sounds, learn to breathe more deeply.

The Mindset

It is not that important. The more we obsess over things we think are important, the more rigid we become and allow them to wall us in. I can’t decide what is important or not in your life, career or profession, but mental obsession is unhealthy and unsustainable – no matter what many “presumably successful” people tell you. Do what is needed to snap yourself out and gain some helpful perspective. It is even more potent when combined with some gratitude.


It was great to host another powerfully intimate and insightful event in London earlier this week.


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Darion Rae

I help executive coaches to generate a steady stream of leads by my LinkedIn Lead Gen Blueprint

3 周

The importance of mental fitness should never be understated. The mindset tactic is resonating with me the most. Which tactic do you like using?

Manuel Giudice

Executive Coach, Facilitator, Speaker: Author of One Step Forward. Feat.: The Guardian, Metro.co.uk, Brainz Magazine, The I Paper, The Sunday Post

1 个月

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