1. Mental Fitness Christina Laganas Kaplan University Hw499 Unit 5 project

2. Introduction to Mental Fitness Mental Fitness is, “a proactive term without the negative connotations associated to mental health or mental illness”(Robinson,2014). The mind is loaded with impurities that must be cleansed; stress, anxiety, envy, doubt ect. Meditation, Reading and getting involved in meaningful conversations can help prevent signs of mental aging.

3. Benefits of Mental Fitness There are many benefits from practicing mental fitness. Some of these benefits are; decreased chance of stroke, increased productivity, boost in positive emotions and thoughts, increased focus and mental performance, reduced anxiety and stress, maintaining Consciousness, decreases depression, refreshes the mind, body and spirit, achieves a state of good mental health and increased relaxation.

4. Mental Fitness Studies Dr. Amit Sood from the Mayo Clinic had participants undergo one hour of meditation a day for four weeks at home. They wanted to test the stress levels and the study showed that one hour of meditation a day would lower stress levels and promote happier lifestyles. Study number 1: Meditation Reduces Stress

5. Mental Fitness Studies Dr. Dean Ornish had participants practice stress management and, diet and meditation to try and prevent chest pains and heart disease. Studies showed that there was 91% reduction in chest pains in those who participated. Study number 2: Mental Fitness Reduces Heart Disease

6. Mental Fitness Studies David R. Frew tested transcendental meditation and productivity at work. Patients reported that hey had increased job satisfaction and better relationships with their bosses and co-workers. The report showed that lower workers of organizations gained job satisfaction and reported better relationships while practicing transcendental meditation. Study number 3: Increase Productivity with Meditation

7. Examples of Mental Fitness Meditation, breathe, close your eyes and relax your mind while listening to someone walk you through a peaceful brain activity. Take time to get rid of excess stress hormones. Boost levels of vitamin B. Eat plenty of wholegrain, dairy and leafy greens. Vitamin B is important to brain health. Always turn negative into positive. For example, getting called into work is not a bad thing it is money! Or, the puppy ate the rug, that is okay I needed a new one!

8. Examples of Mental Fitness Lomosity or other brain teasing games. Lomosity has you answer math, matching, memory and color questions once a day for 5 minutes. It is also important to take up a hobby that is manual. Find a hobby like knitting that takes effort from both sides of the body to improve awareness.Engage yourself in intellectual conversations. Talk to your family about a wide range of topics. Talk to those about subjects you are unfamiliar about. All of these exercises will help improve your mental ftness

9. To Conclude There are many different benefits for improving mental fitness. Some of the benefits include decreased heart disease, lower stress and job satisfaction. Studies have shown that meditation and productivity have increased mood and emotions. Changing negative into positive can help your mental health. Having hobbies, working both sides of the body, playing mental games and reading a lot can improve mental fitness.

10. References: Dacher, E. S. (2006). Integral health: the path to human flourishing. Laguna Beach: Basic Health. Frew, D. (1974). TRANSCENDENTAL MEDITATION AND PRODUCTIVITY. Academy of Management Journal, 17(2), 362-368. Retrieved from Business Source Complete database. Gelman, L. (2010). Meditation: Shock Absorber for the Heart. Prevention, 62(4), 18. Retrieved from Health Source - Consumer Edition database. Meditation to Reduce Stress and Improve Quality of Life - Full Text View - ClinicalTrials.gov. (n.d.). Retrieved July 14, 2014, from http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01047917?term=meditation&rank=4 Mental Fitness. (n.d.). Retrieved July 14, 2014, from http://www.positivepsychologyinstitute.com.au/mental_fitness.html Mental Fitness Presentation. (n.d.). Retrieved July 14, 2014, from http://www.slideshare.net/claudiaalarcon/mental-fitness-presentation#btnNext http://www.slideshare.net/claudiaalarcon/mental-fitness-presentation#btnNext Schlitz, Marilyn, Amorok, Tina, & Micozzi, Marc. (2004). Consciousness & healing. Churchill Livingstone. Why And How You Should Practice Mental Fitness - Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. (n.d.). Retrieved July 14, 2014, from http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/practice-mental-fitness/