2. What is Mental Fitness?
An Olympic Athlete can have top physical and mental
fitness
Being able to train the mind to be positive, spiritual and
lose the negative thoughts
Be stronger, healthier and to prevent memory loss or
dementia in life
High reaches of human flourishing ban be explored by
training our minds
Permanently enhance our well-being by altering the
brain’s neural circuitry
3. Mind/Body Connection
Mind/body approach recognizes role of anxiety, stress
and other mental factors in the development,
perpetuation and recurrence of illness (Dacher, 2006)
Positive state of well-being-sense of inner control,
competence and self-confidence
4. Dr. Richard Davidson
Began studies at University of Wisconsin-Madison
Dr. Davidson began studying the minds of Olympic Level
athletes
Studied the electrical activity of brain and metabolic
activity of the athlete
Compared people who were disturbed by negative
emotions vs. positive well-being
We are able to “re-train” our minds to be more positive
5. Dr. Richard Davidson
Looked at left side and right side brain activation and
how it can shift from one to the other
Happiness or contentment-left side will be dominant
Negative emotions-right side of brain will be dominant
While working with athletes, used functional MRI to see
activation of left vs. right side of brain
Olympians have high activation of left prefrontal cortex-
related to positive emotions
Mind can undergo permanent change when properly
trained
Can be transformed from ordinary to exceptional
6. Dr. Candace Pert
1970’s-filled in the missing link between mind/body
Series of natural proteins neuropeptides carry
messages back and forth
3rd mind/body communication system
Later discovery– Candace Pert and others-thoughts,
feelings and visual images can produce specific
neuropeptides
Alters physiology to reflect specific mental state
7. Dr. Candace Pert
Began the studies at Georgetown University
Now witnessing development of new field of
neuroscientific research examining the relationships
between the mind and the body
“The mind is the body, the body is the mind.”
The condition of our body is a reflection of our mind
A disturbed mind results in a disturbed physiology and a
healthy mind results in healthy physiology
8. quote
If we could control, dissipate and transform the negative
emotions that occupy our mind, we could simultaneously
reverse their deleterious effects on the body (Dacher,
2006)
9. Dr. Elmer Green and Alyce Green
1970 Menninger Clinic
Use of Mental Imagery
Mind can affect many physiological functions of our body
Biofeedback train our minds to voluntarily control blood
pressure, pulse, muscular tension, skin temperature and
other activities
Autonomic nervous system-controls the automatic
physiologic mechanisms of the body such a blood
pressure and pulse
10. Dr. Elmer Green and Alyce Green
Central nervous system moves our muscles when we
choose.
Each system depends on hardwired nerve connections
between brain and body
11. Exercises to improve mental
fitness
Anything we do that challenges the mind works the mind
Word puzzles-helps to prevent memory loss
Sedentary and solitary-not same benefit as physical
activity but in short periods does help to improve mental
fitness
12. Exercises to improve mental
fitness
Positive relationships-stay engaged with the world and
maintain and challenge mental function
Live with meaning and purpose-find a passion and be
involved. Meet people and remain active
Exercise-cardiovascular and strength training inproves
mental functioning-enhances memory and improves
thinking
Diet-proper nutrients not only important to body, but
mind as well
Meditation/yoga-allows the mind to be clear of thoughts
and focus on itself
13. How to improve mental fitness
Meditation-
Find a quiet spot to sit comfortably for a few minutes to
allow body to relax
Allow the thoughts to escape the mind and focus on
breathing
Allow body to relax and re-center yourself
Do this daily to help improve the mind and body
14. How to improve mental fitness
with physical exercise
Running/walking or swimming are great ways to help the
body and mind
You can allow the mind to wonder while out enjoying
nature
Focus on the breathing and allow thoughts to escape the
mind during exercise
Allow body to become one with the mind
15. Conclusion
Mental fitness is just as important as our physical fitness
if not more so
We need to keep our minds strong to be able to handle
the stressors of our every day lives
We want to remain mentally young and youthful for as
long as we can
There is plenty of research out there to help us explain
the importance of mental fitness and the benefits
Exercise, diet, meditation and mind games are all
important in our daily lives
16. References
Dacher, E. S. (2006). Integral Health The Path to Human
Flourishing. Laguna Beach: Basic Health Publications,
INC.
Green, E., & Green, A. (1975, April). New Age
Awareness-A Timely Warning. Retrieved September 25,
2011, from The Society:
http://www.thesociety.org/pasadena/sunrise/24-74-
5/ot-green.htm
Tannen, S. (n.d.). Mental Fitness-exercises for the brain.
Retrieved September 25, 2011, from mental fitness:
http://www.bellydoc.com/articles/article7.htm
