Over the past few decades we have seen an increased recognition of the importance of the health of mind, emotion and spirit, as well as the health of our lives. The 90’s are a time when physical fitness is everybody’s concern, and more and more people are participating in physical fitness programs. No one disputes the need for physical exercise in order to condition the body and keep it in shape.

The need for MENTAL/EMOTIONAL/SPIRITUAL FITNESS is equally important, maybe more so, in view of the mind’s influence on the body. Unfortunately, we are not taught the skills of conditioning the mind, clearing the emotions, nourishing and strengthening our spirit. Having these skills helps us experience good health and vitality, and more peaceful, abundant, fulfilling lives.

Our life experiences are a reflection of our “inner world”; i.e., our thoughts, attitudes, beliefs, emotional states. Everything we take in through all of our senses is feeding us and creating our reality. Science has now recognized the relationships between the mind and physical health.

The following are some steps to “Inner Fitness”:

· Taking RESPONSIBILITY for our lives. This means we look at how our choices have shaped our reality, and make new choices if we do not have the result we desire. We stop blaming others for our circumstances or problems.

· Having opportunities for full EMOTIONAL EXPRESSION, and feeling safe in doing so. Knowing how to communicate our feelings without feeling guilty, fearful and without making others wrong. Practice by writing thoughts, feelings and emotions in a journal, or by writing letters to people saying all the things we are afraid to say (we don’t have to mail the letters). Unexpressed emotions can cause health problems.

· AWARENESS - means knowing ourselves on a deep level by asking ourselves questions

all the time. What makes me happy and joyful? How do I know? How am I feeling? What

are my priorities? Do I love myself? Who do I love? What’s important to me”? If we don’t

question, our lives unfold in predictable patterns.

· GOOD NUTRITION - Our daily diet has a profound impact on our emotions, attitude, mental

state and clarity, physical health and vitality. Don’t underestimate the power of food. A

balanced whole foods diet consisting of grains, vegetables, fruits, low-fat and low-cholesterol

proteins (such as vegetarian proteins) is the best choice. High stress foods (high fat, salt, sugar,

alcohol, coffee, chemicalized foods) produce a stressful life.

· FORGIVENESS - Practicing the art of forgiveness and letting go of the past frees our energy

for more joyful experiences. Holding onto resentment and anger keeps us stuck and

contributes to health problems.

· UNCONDITIONAL LOVE and RESPECT of ourselves and others. Accepting and loving

every aspect of ourselves, and allowing others to be who they are without judgment. Negative

judgment creates non-action and prohibits forward movement.

· FULFILLING VOCATION - Studies have shown that people who love what they do recover

more quickly from health problems and live longer in general. Everybody has unique talents

and gifts which is their expression to the world. Let’s discover what we are passionate about

and put it into our lives.

· Cultivate a POSITIVE OUTLOOK on life. When we expect the best from life and give the

best to all of our endeavors we experience less stress and more inner peace.

· Say “no” when we mean “no” and “yes” to only those things that we really want to do.

Avoid the trap of overcommitting to things we do not want to be doing.

Prevention in health care is so important. We all know the importance of consistent exercise, adequate sleep, and regular health check-ups. Many of us have never considered using “Inner Fitness” techniques as a regular part of our wellness plan. Healing our Fears, Resolving Unexpressed Emotions, Changing any Negative Belief Systems, and Creating and Living a Life we Love are effective and necessary to health maintenance. There is no “one way” to good health. The above steps are more effective when used together as part of a preventive approach. Start somewhere— take a step at a time and watch how easy the process becomes.

Deborah Barr