In order to keep increasing endurance with mental disorder, it is wise to take one step at a time. When we are battling mental health problems, doing even the simplest thing feels difficult. It is natural at these times to curtail or stop engaging in activities that further mental and physical health. The body and mind are intimately linked and with mental disorder, we might neglect physical health or mental wellbeing.
With the pressure to negotiate distress increasing, it becomes even more important to maintain flexibility and readiness of body and mind. A realistic way to do this is to handle one thing at a time and try and make a habit of doing so. With each step we accomplish, even if it is a small one, we bolster self esteem and reserve. When we attempt increasing endurance with mental disorder, we ought to remember to engage and exercise as many of our faculties as possible.
Say, we decide to take up walking. For maximal benefit, we should walk small distances but do so regularly as well as engage all our senses when we are out walking. This means walking while paying attention to what we can see and hear and sense. Doing this readies us for handling as much as might come our way. Exercising in this fashion helps to compensate for any faculties and abilities that might be diminished. And as with any form of learning, regular repetition is key, even if the intensity is low.
No matter what activity we do, utilizing as much of our body and mind as possible helps to lessen the degree of our distress and increases the capacity to endure when things are difficult. We have to learn to increase endurance, and if this process is rich and multimodal, we are able to enjoy as well as benefit from whatever activity we do.
If you would like to read a similar post on developing patience with mental illness, click here.
