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While we know the importance of physical activity and the benefits that come along with it; better sleep, weight loss, longevity, elevated mood, what many of us don’t know is the importance of mental stamina. Mental stamina combines regular brain exercise, relaxation, and concentration. It’s defined as staying power or enduring strength, or the ability to use your mind to get through whatever life may throw at you.
With the launch of Clere For Men Legend towards the end of 2019, the brand took the meaning of legend – as someone who defines greatness – and unpacked it further into the five qualities they believe are the mark of a legendary man. These are: Strength, stamina, love, perseverance, and admiration. It makes sense then that we talk about mental stamina now, explains Clere For Men brand manager Themba Ndlovu, in a time when us, along with the rest of the world are experiencing heightened feelings of stress, anxiety and uncertainty, as we prepare for the new normal, and what that entails.
Dr. Elke Van Hoof, Professor of health psychology and primary care psychology at Vrije Universiteit Brussel in Belguim, predicts a secondary epidemic of burnouts and stress-related absenteeism in the latter half of 2020. To prevent this, we must try and get our minds right. Ndlovu provides the following tips to help maintain mental stamina during these unpredictable times:
Self-care Putting yourself last is a disservice that will only work against you. Self-care makes your use of time more sustainable. Eat healthily, drink enough water, rest, and look after your body, inside and out. While many men may be against a ‘pamper’ session as such, with winter on our doorstep, looking after your skin is as important as maintaining a balanced diet. Clere For Men Legend caters for dry to very dry skin and has been formulated to help hydrate, soothe, and rejuvenate skin for up to 48 hours. Taking good care of yourself first means you’ll have more to give others.
Revisit your hobby We all have that one hobby that may have been put on the back burner due to time constraints. Well, there’s no time like the present to pick up where you left off with your almost finished DIY project, a new coat of paint on your bike or car or playing an instrument. Spending some time on something you love and are good at will take your mind off some of the stresses around you and provide you with a sense of value.
Take an online course Different to a hobby, take this time to learn a new skill that may help enhance your career. Are you looking into digital marketing? Want to hone your Excel skills? Or perhaps you’d like to try your hand at coding? There are plenty of online courses, certificates and even degrees you’ll able to complete from the comfort of your own home. Investing time in refining skills will give you a deep sense of accomplishment which will boost your confidence enormously.
Physical fitness While outside exercise is limited to three hours a day for now, from 1 June you’ll be able to run, cycle, walk or take part in other form of physical activity, throughout the day. While gyms won’t be open yet, there are a number of exercise videos you can find online that will show you how you can utilise your space at home and items around the house in lieu of weights and other gym equipment.
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