Don’t forget to Mental Floss.

At least that is what Jimmy Buffett sings about. I exercise, eat healthy foods and see the doctor regularly. But has anyone ever told you to keep your mind healthy? As professionals it is taboo to talk about your mental health.

My name is Jerry and I have mental problems. We all do! Admit it. Stress is working at our brains just like it does our bodies. No one ever talks about it. I go to the doctor. I go to the gym. And I go to a therapist. It has been the greatest thing I have ever done. Mental stress and fatigue does not mean you are crazy. It means you are normal. Below I will share some of the tools he has provided me with to reduce my stress level.

Here are some of them.

Transcendental Meditation (TM) – It trains your mind for calm peacefulness.  We are continuously bombarded with stimulation from the radio in the car, work related issues always on our minds, family matters… it never stops. You mind never has a moment of quiet. 

The goal of TM is to have brief periods of time when you have a blank mind and no random thoughts or mental chatter.

How it’s done:  

1.       Sit quietly in a comfortable position in silence. (your bedroom first thing in the morning, a closet, your office, your car)

2.       Relax, close your eyes and breathe normally, in then out for 30 seconds.

3.       Count to 20 forwards than backwards, slowing your breathing.

4.       Then, on the in stroke, repeat a silent mantra or phrase. (ROM, ROM , ROM)

5.       On the out stroke, allow the random thoughts.

6.       As your mind slows repeat the mantra on both in and out strokes.

7.       Progress to periods of a blank mind on the in stroke.

Continue for as long as you can and have time. I started at a total of 5 minutes and try for 10-15. Some times I have only 1 minute of time available. Attempt to do it every day.

Learned Optimism – Optimism cultivates persistence and inoculates against depression. Failure + Optimism = Resiliency. Dr. M. Seligman.

This reduces stress in decision making and performance situations. Life in general.

When good things happen think…

1.       Global – one good thing leads to another

2.       Internal – my efforts are paying off

3.       Permanent – it is because of my traits and abilities

When bad things happen think…

1.       Specific – this problem is only a small part of my life

2.       External – it is not my fault

3.       Temporary – I will bounce back

Example – I get stressed bidding jobs. I tell myself it is one job, we do great work at fair prices and there are many other customers. Additionally, I tell myself that we continue to gain market share, it is because of my efforts and it will continue, I am on a roll. I play both sides leading up to a stresser. It’s like taking 3 aspirin instead of 2.

Go to your Happy Place – that is what I call it. Kids screaming in your ear, the boss breathing down your neck, short on time. Use this tool… take 30 seconds and go through these steps.

1.       Inhale through your nose to 3 counts. Exhale through your nose to 3 counts.

2.       Relax your breathing and your body.

3.       Picture a fun/loving memory. (your happy place)

4.       Perform Yoga breathing.

a.       Inhale = 4 counts via nose

b.      Hold = 7 counts

c.       Exhale = 8 counts through mouth

I have to thank and give credit to Mark Ellinger, 561-498-5300.

Times are tougher than they have ever been for me and many others. I was tired, having trouble relaxing and having trouble going to sleep. My mind was always racing. This experience has had such a positive effect on my life I felt I should share it with others.

If you have questions fell free to call myself or Mark.

Jerry