How is your mental fitness?
Are you generally happy and bounce back quickly from a negative comment, a stuff up or failure? Or do you find it hard to let go, forgive yourself and move on? If so, you’re not alone.
What can you do to increase your mental fitness levels?
Over the past twenty five years, I have provided support and guidance to thousands of people from all walks of life. Young, old, rich, poor, married, single, educated, unemployed, migrants, homeless and incarcerated. I have helped people work through very difficult issues including loss of a loved one, divorce, illness, unemployment, redundancy, depression, anxiety, substance use, just to name a few. Life is full of challenges, and no one is immune from adversity and hardship.
I have worked in stressful environments, including prisons, and witnessed trauma, violence, aggression, sadness, unhappiness, loneliness... and the dark – sometimes evil – side of human beings.
As a counsellor, I am profoundly affected by the work I do. But caring about the trauma and suffering of others can take its toll. People often ask me how I have maintained my optimistic and cheerful attitude despite the rewarding but emotionally draining work. What keeps me going day after day, year after year? Is it in my genes? Is it something to do with my personality? Or something I learned from my parents?
Perhaps, it's something to do with the Finnish concept of SISU (pronounced "see-su").
But what is SISU?
It can be described as drive, stamina, perseverance, resilience, willpower, stoic determination or courage and goes back hundreds of years. Sisu is a type of mental toughness that can help us sustain our action and fight against extreme odds. We all experience setbacks and failure every now and then. We all have moments when we just want to give up. But in those moments, we call on our sisu.
I grew up in Finland and cultivated sisu from an early age. I have used sisu in many personal and work situations. My life has become more purposeful, and happier too, as I have reached my goals despite the many obstacles along the way. Interestingly, Finland ranks consistently high in international happiness surveys. So, it seems that this Finnish art of inner strength can indeed lead to a happier, more meaningful life. But you don’t have to be a Finn to tap into your inner sisu.
Here are six ways to cultivate mental fitness and tap into your inner SISU:
1. Challenge yourself regularly –
Try stepping out of your comfort zone. Sometimes a little discomfort is necessary for greater gain. We Finns jump into frozen lakes during winter. Why on earth would anyone do that? Well, we do it for our overall wellbeing - and to develop sisu, of course. The benefits of ice swimming are well documented, from boosting your immune system to improved circulation. I remember sweating in hot sauna as a child and then, rolling in the snow creating beautiful snow-angels with my siblings. And squealing with joy although it was minus 20 degrees Celsius! You could start with something a little more comfortable. Perhaps, an occasional cold shower to start developing sisu-mentality? Or visit a health club or wellness centre with hot saunas and cold plunge pools for a “hot-cold therapy” session. I guarantee, you’ll feel incredibly invigorated!!!
Of course, check with your doctor first if you have any medical issues.
2. Embrace “Big Picture” thinking –
Do you see the big picture or do you focus on the smaller details? Both have advantages, but looking at the bigger picture can help you put things into perspective. You didn’t get the promotion you so desperately wanted. Your girlfriend broke up with you suddenly. Painful, yes, but you get through these disappointments and learn important lessons. It may take a while, but you grow, mature and achieve new understanding on love, life and relationships. So, try and see the “whole” and not just the “parts”.
3. Improve your emotional intelligence –
Emotional intelligence is the ability to recognise, understand and manage your own and others’ emotions. People with high emotional intelligence rarely get overwhelmed by stress. They stay calm, maintain control and think new ways to tackle problems. They often make others feel good too. Can you control your emotions, particularly under stress? Take a moment to stop and think before you speak or act next time you are about to enter into a disagreement.
4. Cultivate self-awareness –
Do you know yourself? If not, self-awareness is a skill that anyone can learn to improve. People who are self-aware, are willing to take an honest look at themselves. They know their strengths – and the areas they need to work on. They are often more confident and can perform better. Keeping a journal is a great way to tune into yourself and clear your mind. Then, set aside some time to reflect on your journal entries. Through self-reflection, you can change how you see yourself and how you feel about certain situations.
5. Help others –
When you help others, you are actually helping yourself. Doing things to help others can give you a sense of purpose and enhance your mental wellbeing. “How can I possibly help others when I can’t even help myself?” you might be thinking. Well, offer a kind word to a colleague who may be struggling with a personal problem. Or reach out to your elderly neighbor who lives alone and invite them out for coffee.
6. Practise, practise, practise -
Looking after your mental wellbeing isn’t something you do occasionally. It’s so important to keep working on your skills - and learn new ones too. When you are mentally fit, you are thriving, not just surviving.
I hope you feel inspired to start cultivating mental fitness in your own life. You never know, calling on your own sisu might help you find your unexplored inner strength and move forward with renewed confidence.
If you want to learn more about sisu, resilience and mental fitness, get in touch.
Eila Mikkonen
Counsellor, Coach & Mental Fitness Facilitator