Category: Anxiety

Developing Mental Strength for Long-Term Success.

Alex Coombes1 Comment

Mental Strength is the ability of an individual to effectively deal with challenges, pressure, and stressors to present their best performance regardless of the circumstances. 

There is good news:  you can become a mental champion and there is no big secret to developing healthy practices to make you a long-term success.  Professional athletes, Formula 1 drivers, and even Navy Seals use techniques to strengthen their minds. 

In yoga, we use a term called Drishti. Drishti translates roughly as ‘direction of sight’.  Where we are looking is important.  Where we place our focus is the direction we will follow. 

It is good to have goals and regardless of the size.  During the Navy Seal training, the individuals are advised to set small goals and achieve them step by step.  A small goal for the day.  E.g. Today I read a chapter of my book.  If you set a small goal and achieve it in one day you get the payoff. 

Gratitude

Gratitude is vital for the development of mental strength.  Start the day with gratitude for three things.  Keep it simple; I am grateful that I woke up in a comfortable bed.  I am grateful that I have a phone I can check.  I am grateful that it is raining.  It can be anything.  Practice your gratitude.  It can be the same three things repeated daily.  What starts to happen is we get an attitude of gratitude. 

In the longer term, there are grander strategies for developing resilience and greater mental strength. 

Time management

If you think you don’t have enough time in the day take a look at how you are using your time. Are you busy being busy?  Do you really need to be watching another episode or could you head on off to bed and get up a little earlier and give yourself more time?  Take time and Make time.  It’s something we never get back.  Time.  Use it well.

Meditation

Once you have found the time take time to breathe.  Meditation is a key factor in building mental strength.  There are plenty of techniques to draw upon to come to a good place with your meditation practice.  Sitting still and listening to what’s going on around you has positive benefits for the mind-body. 

Wellness Coach

Learn more about building mental strength with TruBe Wellness coach, Seamus Casey. It is Seamus’ personal experiences that inspired this week’s blog, following 20 years dedicated to Iyengar Yoga and 200 hours training with Yoga Alliance Ashtanga Vinyasa, Sheamus offers one-to-one sessions through TruBe, TruBe sessions are built around you and your goals, in a space that you feel most comfortable. Click here to find out more about how you can get started.

The Present Souls of Meditation

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Our new discipline has just arrived at TruBe: meditation! We believe the mind, body, and breath should work as one and learning to coordinate your thoughts and channel your inner emotion is extremely beneficial for one’s own soul. There are countless benefits of meditation, such as being a compliment to any workout, reducing stress, and balancing out your busy day ahead. In honour of this relaxing practice, we want to shed light on popular celebrities of today’s age who practice the art of meditation on a daily basis. Read up on our last blog post about the important past souls of meditation and how this beautiful practice came to be. 

Miranda Kerr

“Taking the time to just be and to reflect through meditation and chanting helps me to connect to a higher energy.” – Miranda Kerr 

Miranda Kerr, an Australian model, actress, and author, has been a true lover of meditation for the past 20 years. She starts her mornings with 30 minutes of meditation to help get her in a relaxing and positive mindset for the day ahead. Miranda finishes off her meditation with writing down one thing she is grateful for in her journal. She strongly believes that a mere 5 minutes of meditation in the morning and night can be extremely beneficial to your overall wellbeing.

Paul McCartney

“I believe that in the future, meditation could be as commonplace in schools and society as eco-awareness is now. It interests me that an ancient cure may be the solution to a modern problem.” – Paul McCartney

One of the founding members of The Beatles, the legendary Paul McCartney has been practicing meditation for the past 50 years. McCartney has said the following about his beloved practice: “In moments of madness, meditation has helped me find moments of serenity — and I would like to think that it would help provide young people a quiet haven in a not-so-quiet world.” McCartney practices Transcendental Meditation, a simple technique in which one lets their mind settle into a completely calm and wise state of rest. Whenever he as a spare moment, he will meditate, and believes strongly in getting a still moment in daily life to reflect on one’s own inner self.

Oprah Winfrey

“That way of being ‘still’ with ourselves – coming back to the center – and recognizing that something is more important than you, it’s more important than the work you are doing, brings a kind of energy and an intensity of energy, an intention that we have never had before.” – Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey, the iconic talk show host, actress, and producer, has been meditating for over a decade. She brought the practice to her talk show, introducing the technique and setting aside time in the day to mediate with her company. “Nine o’clock in the morning, and 4:30 in the afternoon, no matter what is going on, we stop and we meditate,” Oprah said in an interview by Dr Mehmet Oz, broadcasted on The Dr. Oz Show.  She makes it a priority to center herself daily with meditating and finds that it truly benefits her well being. 

We hope these present day souls have inspired you to incorporate the practice of meditating into your daily life. Scared to start alone? Our specialists are always here for you, in a location of your choosing. Focus solely on your wellbeing and book a meditation session with us today. We have a range of highly qualified therapists to choose from, such as the lovely Angelica.

Angelica is a devoted yoga and meditation specialist whose sessions will be a safe space with only positive vibes and deep relaxation. She has been studying ‘sound frequency and therapy’ and will incorporate it into a session. This is the perfect compliment to your yoga sessions, as you will be more receptive than normal, allowing you to feel the frequency of the singing bowls.  Be immersed in the moment and book with Angelica today.

See you soon!

Your TruBe Team

Top 5 Reasons To Go On A Fitness Retreat

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Our personal trainers have officially arrived at the beautiful Villa Lena for a July fitness retreat! If you’ve never heard of Villa Lena, you are in for a treat. Located in Tuscany, this hotel is a dream escape from your daily life. 

In honour of this retreat, we invite you to imagine a holiday where you are able to focus solely on your personal health and fitness goals in a beautiful destination surrounded by nature whilst being taught by the best fitness instructors from around the world. If this concept sounds intriguing to you, then a fitness retreat is the perfect place for you. Fitness retreats are an amazing way to focus on your well-being, and they create a healthy environment full of possibilities. 

If you’re looking to transform your 2018 in a healthy way, then a fitness retreat is for you.

There are countless benefits and reasons to go on a fitness retreat, but we’ve narrowed it down to a unique five. So, let’s escape!

Breathtaking Views

Surround yourself with nature, whether that be on the beach, or in the countryside. We encourage you to release your inner child as you breathe in air that is as fresh as a budding flower. Conquer the waves, fly through the trees and push your limits with a variety of activities such as hiking, kayaking, and even zip-lining. Experience the most beautiful sunsets whilst running along the beach and setting individual goals for yourself. These activities not only encourage you to embrace the outdoors, but they help build your confidence and get you outside of your comfort zone by not only working individually, but working with a team. Great for building on your social skills!

Always Inspired

“Fall in love with taking care of your body.” 

Inspiration surrounds you on a fitness retreat. Immerse yourself in workouts from around the globe, complimented with detoxing, cleansing and healthy food tips. You will have mind opening experiences with highly qualified personal trainers, fitness instructors and therapists. Enjoy a mix of individual sessions and group sessions, designed to inspire you and help you learn the best techniques to transfer energy in a healthy way, delivered from trainers who are truly passionate about their art. Set new goals and exceed your current ones, helping you understand your body and its needs.

Out of your Comfort Zone

Going on a fitness retreat is the perfect way to let go and embrace change, softly pushing you out of your comfort zone. A fitness retreat helps you change up your daily routine, whether that’s your normal fitness regime, the foods you usually eat, or your environment. Change can be intimidating at first but trying new things is healthy for your soul, and we can personally guarantee that you will be supported every step of the way!  

Relaxation

Not only will you be working out daily and pushing your body to new limits, but you will be able to treat yourself to luxury spa treatments and daily massages. This will help your body relax and recover, helping you reach your full potential. If you have any worries or concerns when it comes to your body, you will be able to address them and get them worked out, leaving you feeling revitalised. Daily relaxation not only helps prevent future athletic injuries but helps align your body and soul in perfect harmony!

Food Tailored to You

It’s all about healthy living when you go on your fitness retreat, even down to what you eat. Upon arrival, you will meet with a nutritionist to decide on the best meal plan which is tailored to your body. You are invited to participate in workshops that will teach you how to eat a plentiful, well balanced and healthy meal, all of which you can enjoy in the comfort of your own home upon your return. Learning about the right foods will benefit not only your body but help boost your mood and energy levels.

Like the sound of a fitness retreat? Experience one for yourself! If you are not sure where your first fitness retreat should be, we have got you covered. If you’re craving a break from city life in a location that is so idyllic you will never want to leave, then the following experience is a match made in heaven. As part of the TruBe community, we would like to reward you for all your hard work with 15% off your July stay at Villa Lena.

Located in the heart of Tuscany, Villa Lena is passionate about creating an environment where guests and artists from different backgrounds can come together to relax, create and be inspired. Enjoy 15% off your stay in July when you download the TruBe App and make sure to mention TruBe when completing your booking!

Your TruBe Team 

The Role of Exercise in Mental Wellbeing

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Mental Health Awareness Week is an amazing way to bring to light a topic that can sometimes be hard to talk about. Although this week has now passed, it still remains a subject that will always be at the forefront of our minds. Our very own founder and CEO, Daria Kantor, has shared her thoughts on the often overlooked role of exercise in one’s mental wellbeing. Daria is an extremely passionate campaigner, we hope her words inspire you:  

‘I read a statistic this week that declared that in the past year, 74% of people have felt so stressed they have been overwhelmed or unable to cope. That’s an overwhelming majority and whilst mental health is more and more regularly addressed, there is still a significant amount to do.

I count myself remarkably happy to have grown up around sport and to have been able to enjoy an active lifestyle. I played competitive sports from the age of nine and although I was always aware that I was never likely to be a professional athlete – it was the mental aspect of the game that I always loved.

Mental Health Awareness Week was the week of May 14th, hosted by the Mental Health Foundation. Mental health has always been something I am interested in, conscious of and keen to raise awareness around. It is also an area where in my role as CEO of TruBe, the personal fitness app, I have seen the important relationship between exercise and mental wellbeing. So, what are the benefits?

Tackling Depression & Anxiety

It is interesting and eye opening that in the UK, GPs are now diagnosing exercise as part of a treatment plan to tackle depression. According to one medical study, “physical activity has been consistently shown to be associated with improved physical health, life satisfaction, cognitive functioning, and psychological well-being.”

Morale Improvement

There is no question that exercise can have a positive impact on your mood and morale. A study, read on the Mental Health Foundation, revealed the fascinating results of a study, when researchers asked people to rate their mood immediately after periods of physical activity (e.g. going for a walk or doing housework), and periods of inactivity (e.g. reading a book or watching television). Researchers found that the participants felt more content, more awake and calmer after being physically active compared to after periods of inactivity.  Exercise is also proven to reduce stress. When we work out, we increase the concentrations of norepinephrine, a chemical that can moderate the brain’s response to stress.

Prevent Cognitive Decline

Mental Health, as a turn of phrase, is such an incredibly broad collection of conditions, issues and demons. However, one area in which studies have shown some real benefits of exercise, is in the battle against Alzheimer’s. Working out, especially between age 25 and 45, boosts the chemicals in the brain that support and prevent degeneration of the hippocampus, an important part of the brain for memory and learning.

Battling Addiction

One of the sad truths of those struggling with Mental Health issues is the side effects of their condition. One of the more common of these is addiction, often to narcotics, but really it can be to any number of vices. Not only can exercise be the distraction that your body may yearn for, it can also dramatically reduce an individual’s craving elsewhere.

Mental Productivity

Whether exercise is the switch off you need from work, or the driver behind creativity, there is significant research to show the role of working out in improving an individual’s productivity. In turn, this improved productivity helps the individual battle against their mental health issues, assisting them to tackle situations head on and progress.

Coping Mechanisms

Sport and exercise also enhance an individual’s coping mechanism. Whether that’s a gradual understanding of how to handle defeat, or how to overcome a series of challenges, the mental process required to combat disappointment is invaluable for one’s mental health.

The list could go on. There is the element of human interaction, of team building, of physical improvement. There is, to me, no argument that stacks up against the importance of fitness and exercise in helping people deal with their mental health issues.

I wholeheartedly appreciate that exercise is just one vital ingredient in the a more complex battle. But it is certainly that, vital. I also recommend anyone struggling to visit the websites of the wonderful Mental Health Foundation or Mind. There is help out there and no problem is too small or too large to ask for help.’

We hope Daria’s words have resonated with you. We are here for you here at Trube, whether that be a training session to help get out your unneeded stress or a fitness consultation to help inspire you.

Your TruBe Team

 

Fall in Love with You this February

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A positive state of mind is crucial for good health, happiness and success. Your body craves goodness, the better you feel the better you look, and vice –versa. It is important to love and appreciate yourself, only then will it all become clear.

Happiness Hormone

You may have heard of ‘Runners high‘?
Don’t worry, you don’t have to be the next Mo Farah to achieve this kind of rush. This particular high is a result of the happiness hormone (more commonly known as Endorphins) being released into your body, creating the desirable state of euphoria and best of all it is 100% natural.

Exercise releases endorphins, this generates a numerous amount of benefits, all with the added bonus of getting fit!

Helps fight Anxiety, Depression and Reduce Stress

Whether you are working long hours, stuck in an office, studying for exams or holding up the fort, the importance of ‘me time’ should never be underestimated. Exercise can dramatically reduce anxiety, depression and stress. It can act as a long-term solution, benefiting your mind and body. Endorphins can act as natural painkiller, help you organise your thoughts and boost your mood significantly.

Focus

By increasing your ability to focus, your fitness goals, work goals and personal goals are all going to benefit, but this is not where it ends. Endorphins increase your ability to process emotion. By listening to your thoughts with a clear mind you are more likely  to understand what your body requires. Taking the time to focus on your thoughts and reflect on your day will help you overcome any obstacles put in your way.

Lower Blood Pressure

Your health should be your number one priority. A healthy diet and daily exercise is a great place to start! If you are concerned about the activity being too strenuous, then it is important to talk to your TruBe trainer, they will create a program to ease you in gently, this will help build stamina and create positive and lasting results.

Motivation

A positive outlook generates positive results. The more you exercise the more motivated you will become and with your TruBe trainer there to cheer you on, you are bound to succeed!
Your motivation will carry across into all aspects of life; you will feel less tired and become more efficient with your time.

Stay true to you

Exercise is a powerful tool. No two people are the same; finding out what works for you will enable you to enjoy the journey and make it personal.
Exercise will uncover many lasting relationships, strengthen your mind and will make you the best version of yourself, someone to be truly proud of.

Visit our website to find out more, or Download the TruBe App for Free to get started!