The Mind Workout

It's well known that if you want to keep your body fit, you must do some regular exercise. But when it comes to our mental health, few of us take the time to maintain and improve it. For some reason, we expect to be in great mental shape without doing any work. And when we realise we're struggling, we look for a quick and easy fix instead of developing the skills that will help us in the future. Enter The Mind Workout - a home exercise programme for improving your mental health and fitness. Developed as a result of Mark Freeman's own recovery from mental illness, The Mind Workout combines mindfulness, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). It outlines twenty easy-to-follow steps you can take to free yourself from the ways of thinking and behaving that cause mental health challenges in your life - from cutting out the compulsions that cause uncertainty, anxiety and distress to relieving stress and distraction. The Mind Workout is the key to making the switch from a frenetic, anxiety-driven life to one that's based on your core values. It will leave you feeling mentally stronger, fitter and better equipped to navigate the complexities of everyday life.

Mental health is . . . being yourself. A prescriptive and positive guide, illustrated with line drawings, making the case that mental well-being, like physical health, can be strengthened over time and with specific techniques We all want to feel less anxiety, guilt, anger and sadness. We want to obsess less and be less lonely, free ourselves from our demons, compulsive habits, and stress. But as humans (unlike rocks) we experience all of these. And paradoxically, trying to avoid and control them only makes things worse. Having struggled with serious mental illness for many years himself, Mark Freeman has become a dedicated mental-health advocate and coach. He makes the case that instead of trying to feel less and avoid pain and stress, we need to build emotional fitness, especially our capacity for strength, balance and focus. With wit, compassion, and depth of experience and anecdotes, he shows that we can recover from many mental disorders, from mild to very serious, at all ages and stages of life, and even if other methods have failed. Freeman's innovative approach makes use of a range of therapeutic techniques, mindfulness training, peer support, humor, and common sense.

Although not all of us do it all the time, we all know the things we need to do to take care of our body - hit the gym or the running track and eat our greens. But are we so clear on what to do if it is our mental rather than physical condition that needs attention? This amazingly practical book will take your mind to the gym and show you how, in 12 weeks, to live more mindfully, rid yourself of worry, clear your head, strive for happiness and get more done. The book is structured exactly like a progressive exercise program; every week (or chapter) starts with a 'warm-up' - a theoretical part - followed by a concrete training and concluding with a 'cool down '. In between, the reader receives useful tips, examples, directions and concerns, coupled with inspiring quotes. The reader chooses the level of daily exercise, from 'light' to intensive, with a free audio track providing the accompaniment. You have 12 weeks to improve your outlook, habits and happiness - starting now.

*The ideal gift to yourself in the middle of winter* Stylist's Christmas gift books round up 2021 In just 5 weeks, you will come out of Your Mental Health Workout with a sharper mind, clearer-decision making skills and greater resilience. Your Mental Health WorkoutTM provides you with exercises, tools, affirmations and expert guidance so you can start looking after your mental health for the long term. Zoë Aston, psychotherapist and mental health consultant to many high-profile individuals, has devised a ground-breaking 5-week schedule to help you build mental muscle; she incorporates 2 to 3 years of one-to-one therapy in one book. Our mental health is just like our physical health; we all have psychological weak spots or injuries and, just like physical injury, when they get used they may feel tender or uncomfortable. They need to be cared for in the right way so they can heal. Zoë's tried-and-tested workout plan, which helps to normalise the conversation around mental health, is split into weekly and daily sets. The weekly workouts help develop accountability, commitment to yourself and others and encourage physical exercise as a form of mood management. While your daily workouts move your focus inwards, providing space and time for you to look after the integrity of your mind through development of healthy self-talk. At the end of the book, there is a handy planner so you can easily track your progress. By following Zoë's plan you will become stronger, happier and can create the internal emotional landscape you want to live in. 'I worked with Zoë for 6 months, prior to which I had always been quite sceptical about whether I would benefit from therapy. During that time she helped me to get to know myself, understand myself, and be kinder to myself.' - Dr Zoë Williams 'Zoë's techniques are easy and give great results. Her work has given me wonderful insight into how I can look after my mind and makes mental wellness feel accessible to everyone. I highly recommend Your Mental Health WorkoutTM to anyone who has the desire to improve their emotional health.' - Pixie Lott

Outsmart your monkey mind and build the mental muscle it takes to face uncertainty with calm confidence! Do you lie awake at night worrying? Are you anxious about your own health and well-being? Do you stress about paying the bills, or wonder if you’ll be able to cover unexpected expenses? Do you obsess about politics or the state of the world in general? If the answer is “yes,” you are far from alone. In a world where the future is increasingly uncertain, it’s easy to wallow in what-ifs. But over time, anxious “chatter”—also known as your “monkey mind”—can get in the way of living a full and meaningful life. So, how can you quiet the monkey and stop feeling like you’re living in a constant state of emergency? In this fun, illustrated book, psychologist Jennifer Shannon presents a 30-day anxiety-busting workout to help you increase your mental fitness and overcome your fear of uncertainty. Each daily exercise encourages you to embrace uncertain situations, rather than avoiding or attempting to control them. The more you work out, the more you’ll develop and strengthen a positive, flexible mind-set, and prove to yourself that you can handle much more than you thought. You’ll also learn how to use everyday situations as opportunities to improve how you cope with uncertainty, reduce stress and anxiety, and be present in each moment. As you gradually change your behavior, you’ll notice positive changes in the way you think and feel, and begin to anticipate and process uncomfortable emotions without giving in to the monkey-mind chatter. It’s normal to worry about what will happen next—especially in our uncertain world. But by sticking with the workout in this book, you can transform your mind-set and go from stressed and worried to relaxed and confident!

“Wisdom comes from distilling knowledge and experience to make sound judgements, and Rajiv in this book uses his own knowledge and experience in the corporate world and through his spirituality provides a workbook that should be of value to so many. The issues that Rajiv discusses in the book are common derailers, and many people spend their lives unaware of this, often not knowing there is another way. The open discussion of these typical derailers, the constant link to spirituality and the ultimate step of the reader interacting with the issues through the workout at the end of the chapter make this book a practical guide to living a happy and fulfilling life.” Ajay Srinivasan Chief Executive - Financial Services Aditya Birla Group “Rajiv has managed to combine wisdom and practice in one tome, which is never easy. Very clear and simple thoughts to convey wisdom on multiple aspects of life and inviting the reader to interact is an innovative format. I am sure Wisdom Workout will help many of us who struggle to grow wise in everyday life.” Naveen Tahilyani Managing Director & CEO Tata AIA Life Insurance We all know where to go when we need to tone and shape our physical bodies — we hit the gym. But, do we spend enough time for toning, shaping and building up wisdom in our lives? Wisdom Workout is a practical journey through some very relevant areas in our life and how to exercise wisdom in it. The ‘workout’ process includes a set of questions based on the author’s thoughts that are crafted with an intent to get you thinking, re-thinking and getting hands-on with the rational execution of the thought in your life. The book will challenge, push and exhort you to strive for excellence in your personal and professional life.

The human brain operates at a tiny fraction of its true capacity, and everyone welcomes the opportunity to improve on their brain power. No one is too young or old to start making changes get more out of life. This book will help you do just that.

Until recently, the effortless "Zone" of peak performance was only within the reach of serious athletes. Now, with Body, Mind, and Sport, anyone can reach the Zone, regardless of fitness level. Designed to accommodate a variety of individual fitness needs, the Body, Mind, and Sport program is split into two levels. Level 1 is for non-athletes who want to improve overall fitness; Level 2 is for those who want to train for competitive or recreational purposes. Your own unique mind-body type is taken into account to guide you in achieving your personal best without stress or strain. In this revised and updated edition of Body, Mind, and Sport, fitness expert and trainer John Douillard outlines a program in which your individual seasonal constitution-Winter, Spring, or Summer-determines what exercises or sports are best suited to your mind-body type and what foods you should eat for optimum results. Using the Body, Mind, and Sport approach you can decrease heart and breath rates while improving both fitness and performance. Dozens of world-class athletes, including Martina Navratilova and Billie Jean King, have used John Douillard's expert breathing techniques, dietary recommendations, and seasonally balanced workouts. Now you can, too!