The holidays evoke feelings of joy and excitement, as well as stress and perhaps anxiety toward family gatherings. With today\u2019s politically charged climate, it\u2019s likely there could be some uncomfortable conversations around the dinner table. Instead of succumbing to the family fights, use the opportunity to strengthen your mental fitness.<\/span><\/p>\nWhen we think of mental fitness, we usually conjure images of puzzles and exercises to keep our brains in tip-top shape. But when I coach my clients on mental fitness, I define it as the ability to remain in a neutral-to-positive physiological state for the vast majority of your day, regardless of what your environment throws at you.<\/p>\n
One of the criteria for mental fitness is the ability to entertain multiple perspectives, even when they are not in alignment with yours. What better time to practice that than the holidays?<\/p>\n
We are often with our families during this time, and there can be some drama that accompanies the good memories. Even the most easygoing families can experience tension. How well you can cope with those moments determines in part your mental fitness capacity. <\/span><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″ background_color=”#f7f7f4″ background_image=”https:\/\/www.careersingovernment.com\/tools\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/holiday3.jpg” custom_padding=”0px||0px|”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ make_equal=”on” column_padding_mobile=”on” module_class=” et_pb_row_fullwidth” _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”100%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”100%” max_width_tablet=”100%” max_width_phone=”” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”0px||0px|” make_fullwidth=”on” custom_width_px=”680px”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”3.25″ background_color=”#efefe9″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.careersingovernment.com\/tools\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/holiday2.jpg” show_bottom_space=”off” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”3.23″ animation=”off” sticky=”on”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text disabled_on=”off|off|” _builder_version=”3.27.4″ text_font=”PT Serif||||” text_text_color=”#818178″ text_font_size=”24″ text_line_height=”1.4em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”center” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”20%|10%||10%” custom_margin_tablet=”|10%||10%” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone”]<\/p>\n
This flexing of your mental fitness comes in handy in all aspects of your life.<\/span><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.27.4″ text_font=”PT Sans|on|||” text_text_color=”#888888″ text_font_size=”12″ text_letter_spacing=”2px” text_line_height=”1.2em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”center” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”20px||20%|” custom_margin_tablet=”20px|||” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet”]JODY MICHAEL
In those moments it\u2019s helpful to remember that while you can\u2019t control another person\u2019s reactions and behavior, you can control your own. Here are 10 tactics to increase your mental fitness and decrease the chances of engaging in the drama:<\/span>1.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Do not get defensive.<\/span>2.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Do not try to prove someone right or wrong.<\/span>3.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Do not try to win.<\/span>4.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Do not try to educate someone.<\/span>5.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Do not frame your opinion as an argument.<\/span>6.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Do come to the conversation from a place of curiosity.<\/span>7.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Do truly listen.<\/span>8.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Do try to understand the other person\u2019s point of view.<\/span>9.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Do be open to new ideas.<\/span>10.\u00a0 \u00a0 Do engage in deep breathing exercises.<\/span>I understand this is easier said than done when Uncle Bob is provoking you about politics, religion or some other hot button issue. However, with a little practice, you can easily manage your mood states the next time you sit down next to your argumentative uncle.<\/span>First, set an intention before you go to the family engagement. Some examples could be:<\/span>\u2022\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0I am going to manage my mood and stay positive, optimistic and loving.<\/span>\u2022\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0I will not incite any arguments.<\/span>\u2022\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0I will not allow myself to be provoked.<\/span>If you need help, recruit an accountability buddy to attend the event with you. This ally will be your support system. Their presence may even help defuse the tension and encourage others to be on their best behavior. If not, a swift kick under the table when they notice you start to become triggered can be a wake-up call to stay true to your intention.<\/span>This flexing of your mental fitness comes in handy in all aspects of your life. The next time a colleague triggers your impatience, you can employ the same techniques to stay calm, cool and collected.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n
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[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_code module_class=”et_pb_bg_layout_dark et_pb_contact” _builder_version=”4.4.1″ text_orientation=”left” custom_margin=”2px||23px|||”] Enter Keyword and Location<\/label>