calm | INSTAGRAM | DEC 11

🧠💪 Meet the Muscles of the Mind⁠ When we talk about “muscles of the mind,” we’re referring to different mental abilities we want to access, strengthen, and flex — four different capabilities that, when strong, work together to support us in feeling creative, calm, resilient, happy, and successful.⁠ ⁠ 🌀 Concentration⁠ Concentration is the mind’s ability to come back to a chosen point of focus. It’s important to note that even a mind with a well-developed “concentration muscle” will wander. That’s not weakness; it’s just the nature of the human brain. A strengthened mind will notice this wandering and use concentration to return to the point of focus (as many times as needed). It’s not how often we have to come back that matters, it’s that we come back. ⁠ ⁠ 〜 Equanimity⁠ Equanimity is the mind’s capacity to be okay with what’s happening, even if, especially if, we wish things were otherwise. This isn’t to be confused with being passive, weak, or letting life walk all over us. Equanimity means not pushing away or grabbing onto experience. We feel it as a sort of relaxed, easygoingness, an inner-smoothness, a way of going with the flow. Ultimately it’s an acceptance of the imperfect way that things tend to roll. ⁠ ⁠ ☀️ Clarity⁠ Clarity is the power of the mind to be aware of itself. It’s the way that we notice what our mind is doing, whether that be wandering, concentrating, spinning, overthinking, going with the flow, or going down a rabbit hole. When we are oblivious to what our minds are doing, we are at the mercy of its shenanigans. When we are clear about what’s happening, we’re empowered to make a different choice. ⁠ ⁠ 💙 Friendliness⁠ Friendliness is the mind’s potential to meet ourselves and others with kindness and good wishes. This muscle often gets overlooked for being sappy or unimportant. However, cultivating more friendliness can make us happier and more connected. It makes both our minds and the world better places to live. ⁠ ⁠ ✨ All of these muscles are equally important and work together to support overall health and wellbeing. Download our #MentalFitness Training Guide (link in bio)!⁠ ⁠ ⁠⁉️ What mental muscle do you want to strengthen?