HCFS; Mental & Spiritual Health Are Also Important

Mental & Spiritual Health Are Also Important

(March 12, 2013)

When people think of health, they usually tend to think of fitness and physical conditioning. Health though, goes far beyond that into the mental / spiritual sides. Usually for most, having some strong form of mental or spiritual discipline directly correlates to anything they do or achieve in their everyday lives. Without it, they would not have the drive, focus, discipline or willingness to push themselves in their training and daily tasks. The inside of the individual is just as important as the outside and one has to develop them both. Some develop their mind and spirit with religion, some with philosophy, some do it with a hobby of some sort that gives them fulfillment and happiness. In the Hardy Combat Fitness System, we use a universal system of warrior philosophy that fits directly into our training in the combative arts and sciences. This teaches sound principles of thought and ones that can be applied to daily living.

If you are not happy in your life, it will be hard to stay focused or motivated to do much of anything, even something that is a positive pursuit. Furthermore, if an individual trains their body to strengthen it and build it (their exterior) then why not do the same for the mind. There are a many different things one can study to do to find their mental / spiritual motivator, but everyone should have one. Be it study of a particular subject like religion or philosophy or be it a hobby or endeavor. Building oneself is not just about the exterior or the outside, it is about the inside. Your mind, your spirit, your thoughts and ways of seeing things. The exterior means nothing without the interior being developed also. While the world around you sees your “outside” you have to live with knowing whom and what you are on the inside. True self development is holistic, the inside and out. If you are going to train and forge a better body, you should train and forge a better mind and spirit.

If you can face everyday with a positive outlook, you will be more vital and meet the day with more “spiritual” energy. This will better your work and your training and give you the push you never thought or knew you had by way of emotional content. Having a positive thought process and way of living is the other half to physical well being and wellness. When the two combine, it lead one to living the best life that they can live. Just like you discipline the body with diet, training and so forth, you should discipline the mind and spirit with positive thoughts and feelings, positive outlook on things going on in the present and future, and focus on progress and good things. It takes mental discipline and training the self to be this way (self control) specially when things may not go well, or you face trials that will always present themselves in life. When a person is angry or stressed they are tense. When they are tense, they are burning their own energy and accomplishing nothing. The muscle are physically contracted in certain places, bringing physical tiredness, but they mentally / spiritually are tense, tight, and focused on what bothers them. With proper mental / spiritual self development people can learn to deal with their emotions better and not waste energy. They also learn how to cope with what happens in life or how to properly deal with it, and overcome it instead of being overcome by it.

So while you spend a lot of time in the gym and the training hall building your body, do not forget to take the time to fortify and fulfill your mind and spirit as well. They both are inter-depended on the other and the stronger one is, the stronger the other is.