One of the hallmarks of being human is our ability to adapt to different environments and situations. We in the UK have rarely faced core survival issues, but in our fast-paced society, we still need to adapt very quickly to solve problems creatively, make decisions and decide on a course of action.

Some people seem to thrive living on the edge of chaos; however, most of us struggle, even if we try to portray an image of always being in control. We often ignore things going wrong, preferring to complain while naively hoping they will go away. We have been at the top of the food chain for so long that we no longer recognise threats; we smugly think we can deal with anything life throws at us.

When something goes wrong, we try to ignore it, trusting in the time-honoured problem-solving process of procrastination – do nothing until there is only one sub-optimal choice available, and then take it. All the time, waiting, getting stressed, overloaded, anxious, and frustrated as our lives are put on hold. Just think about how often relationships fall apart because minor issues are not dealt with when they happen; how we can become even more frustrated by our partner, winding ourselves up waiting for them to realise what they have done wrong – and getting angry with them for not knowing.

We all face different challenges in different contexts and respond in different ways. Being mentally fit, making the most of our emotional intelligence, and becoming self-aware and other-aware helps us face, survive, and adapt to these daily challenges.

If you want to get mentally fit – get in touch!