​Sleep is essential for both physical and mental health, as it's the time that your body and mind utilize to heal and grow while recharging for the day ahead. Failing to get enough sleep, especially when you have something as important as your physical fitness assessment, can undoubtedly impact your well-being and cause you to experience untold levels of stress, fatigue, weakness and confusion. 

When you have not had your fitness tested since high school, the prospect of uniformed members watching and grading you can be daunting. Positive inner dialogue is one of the best tools to combat the anxiety and fear that courses through your body in response to thinking about your upcoming test.

Being in the right frame of mind is essential for being tested. It doesn't matter how much you've trained, how much you trust your body or how ready you feel for the Physical Fitness Assessment for the ADF. If you're prone to anxiety and stress over performance in general, you can easily underperform. 

Why do some people glide through the different phases of the enlistment process while others crumble under stress? Is it a reflection of the person's character? While it may be true that some people are better suited for high-stress roles, mental well-being also impacts your ability during the enlistment process. ​As part of your preparation, consider the following three focus areas to keep you mentally well: