Emotional Fitness: Training for Your Mind
At first, this term might seem amusing—just another addition to the so-called “mental health industry.” However, after a moment, we can see that the idea of Emotional Fitness (EF) is an excellent way to cultivate an additional healthy habit. Regular physical exercise is already becoming a standard, so perhaps it is time for an emotional exercise routine?
Inspired by the observations of Dr. Emily Anhalt, we briefly describe the foundations of EF below.
The 7 Pillars of Emotional Fitness
According to Dr. Anhalt, being emotionally fit requires the consistent training of seven key “muscles”:
- Self-Awareness: The ability to observe your internal states. By recognizing physical signals like tension or a racing heart, you can identify your emotions before they lead to an outburst or burnout.
- Empathy: The capacity to see things from others’ perspectives. This is crucial for navigating complex social and professional environments, especially within the international expat community.
- Mindfulness: Developing the “muscle” to sit with discomfort. It is the ability to stay present with a difficult feeling without immediately trying to numb it or run away.
- Curiosity: Replacing judgment with inquiry. Instead of asking “Why am I failing?”, an emotionally fit person asks, “What is this situation trying to teach me?”
- Play: Making space for spontaneity and joy that isn’t tied to productivity. Play strengthens our social bonds and keeps our minds flexible and creative.
- Communication: The skill of naming your needs clearly and providing constructive feedback. It also includes the ability to share successes, which strengthens our positive neural pathways.
- Resilience: The ability to bounce back from setbacks. We build this by intentionally noticing small wins and maintaining a perspective of growth even during “multi-crisis” periods.
For more details we invite to visit the author’s site – Dr. Emily Anhalt
Why Start Your training / Therapy in Lisbon?
Living abroad as an expat brings a unique set of stressors—from cultural adaptation to professional pressure. These 7 pillars are your toolkit for navigating these challenges without losing your sense of self.
In our practice, we combine these proactive principles with ISTDP (Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy). This allows us to work on these “muscles” in real-time during our sessions, uncovering the unconscious patterns that hold you back.
Whether you are seeking individual or couples therapy, professional support in English is available – contact us.
Let’s start training your emotional fitness today.
Psychotherapy Lisbon
