Personal Grooming

The Modern World’s Emotional Marathon: Why Mental Fitness Is the New Superpower?


Written by Hitesh Giriya

We live in a time when burnout is worn like a badge of honor and emotional exhaustion has become routine. Productivity is praised, and pushing through is glorified. But slowly, a new understanding is emerging: what got us here won’t get us through what’s next.

We’re not just working more—we’re emotionally sprinting. The pressure to achieve, the chase for perfection, and the noise of social comparison have turned life into a high-stakes marathon. But most of us are running on fumes.

The truth we’re waking up to? Resilience isn’t about pushing harder. It’s about recovering smarter. It’s about equipping ourselves mentally and emotionally for the long haul—with clarity, compassion, and consistency.

Mental Fitness Is the New Resilience

Your mind is not fixed. Thanks to neuroplasticity, you can reshape how you think, feel, and act—at any age. Emotional strength, like physical fitness, is built through training.

Here’s how to build yours:

1. Name Your Emotions

When you label how you feel—“I’m anxious,” “I’m overwhelmed”—you shift from reactivity to reflection. This calms your emotional brain and activates your rational thinking.

2. Respond, Don’t React

Pause before responding. Emotions are signals, not commands. Create space between trigger and action. This is the foundation of emotional mastery.

3. Set Boundaries

Protect your energy. Learn to say no without guilt. Set limits on social media, work hours, and draining conversations.

4. Rethink Stress

Stress isn’t always bad. Reframing it as a message instead of a threat helps you extract meaning and reduce fear.

5. Accept the Uncontrollable

Not everything is within your power—and that’s okay. Focus your energy on what you can influence: your mindset, your actions, your attitude.

6. Rituals Build Resilience

Morning journaling, evening walks, gratitude practice—small habits anchor us during uncertainty. It’s not about intensity; it’s about consistency.

7. Practice Self-Compassion

Be kind to yourself. Emotional fitness doesn’t mean always feeling great—it means supporting yourself when things aren’t.

8. Keep Perspective

No emotion is permanent. Remember: “This too shall pass.” Holding a broader view helps you weather temporary storms.

Resilience Isn’t Stoicism—It’s Adaptability

Suppressing emotions isn’t strength—it’s avoidance. Real resilience is feeling fully and choosing to move forward anyway. It’s reaching out, taking breaks, and resetting when needed.

The Bottom Line

In this emotionally intense era, your mindset is your most valuable asset. The world may not slow down—but you can strengthen your response to it. Because your mind isn’t the victim of your mood. It’s the commander of your calm.

So next time the emotional storm hits, remember: you have the tools to rebuild, rewire, and rise.

Social

St. Francis Xavier Church, Duler, Shines Light on Mental Health with Awareness Programme


The Social Apostolate Cell and Family Apostolate Cell of the St. Francis Xavier Church, Duler, Mapusa, Goa, recently took a significant step towards promoting mental health awareness in their community. On 9th February 2025, the parish organized a comprehensive awareness programme on mental health, facilitated by renowned psychologist and counsellor, Ms. Ketaki Parob Gadekar.

The event, which drew a crowd of nearly 200 people, was a resounding success. Participants greatly appreciated the programme, expressing their gratitude for the insightful information and expert guidance provided by Ms. Gadekar and her team. The audience was also eager to learn more, posing a multitude of questions related to mental health.

Ms. Gadekar and her team addressed these queries with sensitivity and professionalism, dispelling many common myths surrounding counselling and mental health. The programme’s impact was evident in the enthusiastic response from the attendees, who requested more such initiatives to be conducted in the future.

The parish recognizes that mental health is an essential aspect of overall wellbeing and is committed to creating a supportive environment that encourages open dialogue and empathy. By organizing this awareness programme, the St. Francis Xavier Church, Duler, has demonstrated its dedication to promoting mental wellbeing and responding to the deeply felt needs of its community.

The success of this initiative serves as a testament to the power of community-driven efforts in promoting mental health awareness. As the parish continues to organize more programmes and activities focused on mental wellbeing, it is clear that the St. Francis Xavier Church, Duler, is at the forefront of creating a more compassionate and inclusive community.

Key Highlights:

  • The awareness programme on mental health was organized by the Social Apostolate Cell and Family Apostolate Cell of the St. Francis Xavier Church, Duler.
  • The event was facilitated by psychologist and counsellor, Ms. Ketaki Parob Gadekar, and attended by nearly 200 people.
  • The programme aimed to educate the community about mental health, dispel common myths, and provide resources for support.
  • The parish plans to organize more programmes and activities to promote mental wellbeing and respond to the needs of its community.