The concept of a mental workout is taking the time out of
your day to relax your mind. It does
take some work to not only find time in your day but also to just shut out your
busy thoughts for a few minutes and to think positively. Research has shown that people who take
breaks from life for a “mental workout” with positive thoughts can improve
their brain function. According to Dacher (2006) it is possible that
the trained mind can function at a higher level of integration and
organization. I can implement “mind training” by practicing meditation and
other relaxing exercises in the day to help foster my psychological
health. I want to do this more often,
especially since work has been so busy and stressful, I need to time in the day
to relax my mind.
Reference
Dacher, E. S. (2006).
Integral health: the path to human flourishing. Laguna Beach, CA: Basic
Health Publications.
So true, we get so caught up in our own lives and family, etc etc and forget to just sit down and shut the brain up, and bet you can use a break being a registered nurse and all? How do you cope with the stress in your field?
ReplyDeleteLarry,
DeleteUsually when I can't shut my mind off, it is because of work. My job is pretty stressful. I work in a busy ER. I think it helps to talk to someone when I have a stressful day. My husband is usually there to listen, he is a paramedic so he can relate to some stuff. This class is teaching me new ways to relax and I want to incorporate these exercises into my life more. Massages and hot baths help also. :)
It's so interesting how relaxing and meditating constitutes a mental workout; kind of the opposite of how being active constitutes a physical workout. It gots to show how difficult it really is to calm the mind. Personally, I find it very easy to do my physical workouts; but very tough to get the mental ones in. Relaxing and meditation don't come easy for me but I do feel better when I make the time to do them.
ReplyDeleteSame here Allie, I find it hard to find time to relax and do meditation also. I need to try harder though.
Delete