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I t p a y s t o b e A B M P C e r t i f i e d : w w w. a b m p . c o m / g o / c e r t i f i e d c e n t r a l 89 Feed Your Body A clean diet is important for emotional fitness. If you feed your body unhealthy food, you are giving up precious energy for digestion that could otherwise be used to manage stressors in your life. I've found that eliminating food from my diet that does not serve me well—in my case, gluten and dairy—not only helps me feel better physically and maintain my weight more easily, it also alleviates a lot of my anxiety. Learn Self-Value For us to truly be emotionally fit, we must have self-value and self-respect. One of the most emotionally strengthening exercises of my life has been learning to stand up for myself and constructively use my voice. I do this through the way I manage and market my business, my writing, and in my direct relationships with my clients, friends, and family. Sometimes it is difficult to say things that I know must be said because I am afraid of how my words will be received. I always find that facing my fear and speaking my truth makes things so much better. Even if it is a difficult conversation, being able to discharge my pain and discomfort by acknowledging it is necessary for me to move on. Even if my circumstances don't change at all, I feel better knowing I've been honest and expressed myself. Extend Kindness Into the World Another exercise for emotional fitness is to practice acts of kindness, even something as simple as picking up litter on the street. When you extend kindness into the world, you can't help but feel that kindness in yourself. I like to do things like bring people flowers or send them cards in the mail. I hold the door open for others, or let them go ahead of me in traffic. I smile, wave, touch, and laugh. Sometimes I give lavish gifts, and sometimes they are simple. Whenever I extend kindness, I am humbled by the gift it gives me—a feeling of peace, love, contentment, and joy. Stop and Smell the Roses Being with beauty is another way to increase emotional fitness. Life moves so fast that it's easy to miss the many tiny miracles that surround us all the time. Take a moment and look around you. Notice the quality of the light in the room; let your eyes move to something that pleases you. Find a way to incorporate what you find beautiful into the spaces you spend the most time in. Schedule Self-Care on a Regular Basis Finally, consulting a professional coach or counselor is always a good route to take if you are concerned about, or working on, your emotional fitness. Make sure you receive regular massage and bodywork, and any other kind of health care you need. You are worth the time and the expense—every bit of it. What would you tell your clients to do if they asked you for exercises for emotional fitness? Whatever your answer is, it's probably a good place to start yourself. EMOTIONAL FITNESS EMOTIONAL FITNESS IDEAS Keep a gratitude journal. Work toward physical fitness. Fuel your body well. Learn how to value and respect yourself. Practice acts of kindness. Take time to appreciate the beauty that surrounds you. Schedule your own self-care.