How the mind is a muscle

When it comes to taking care of our health, we often focus on our physical well-being. We prioritize going to the gym, eating healthy, and getting enough sleep. In no world would somebody say “well, I understand the steps that I need to take to feel physically better - so why isn’t working?” I.e we understand that if we don’t action and practice discipline and consistency, then we won’t see progress.

Therapy, however gets a bad reputation in a sense. People tend to think “if I understand that the way that I’m thinking isn’t helpful or fair, how come I still think this way?”.

Look at it this way, we all know that going to the gym is a physical activity that requires effort and discipline. It involves setting aside time in your schedule, pushing yourself through workouts, and sticking to a routine. But the benefits are clear: regular exercise can help improve cardiovascular health, build muscle and bone density, and even reduce the risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and cancer. Nobody questions this.

Similarly, we all know that going to the gym is not always easy. It can be difficult to find the motivation to go, especially when you're feeling tired or stressed. And for some people, going to the gym can be intimidating, leading to feelings of anxiety or self-doubt. Regardless of how difficult it is though, it’s simple to understand that no action means no progress.

Therapy, on the other hand, is a mental health activity that requires effort and commitment in a different way. Therapy involves working with a licensed therapist to identify and address mental health concerns, such as anxiety, depression, or trauma. It requires regular appointments, active participation in sessions, and a willingness to be vulnerable and open.

Like going to the gym, the benefits of therapy are clear. Therapy can help improve mental health, reduce symptoms of mental illness, and provide tools and coping strategies to manage stress and other challenges.

Similarly, therapy is not always easy either. It can be challenging to open up about your thoughts and feelings, and it may take time to find the right therapist and approach. And like going to the gym, therapy can be intimidating or stigmatized, leading to feelings of shame or reluctance to seek help.

Both going to the gym and therapy require effort and commitment to improve our physical and mental health. But the effort required is different.

Going to the gym requires physical effort, discipline, and consistency. It involves pushing through workouts and sticking to a routine, even when you don't feel like it.

Therapy, on the other hand, requires emotional effort, vulnerability, and active participation. It involves being willing to explore your thoughts and feelings, and working collaboratively with a therapist to develop skills and coping strategies. But also putting in the work OUTSIDE of the therapy room.

If you think that therapy might be something that can benefit you, don’t hesitate to reach out to Philadelphia therapist Noam Dinovitz at noam@dinovitzcounseling.com or 484 424 7722