Mind and Don’t Mind
This is how Wikipedia said it
“The mind is what thinks, feels, perceives, imagines, remembers, and wills, encompassing the totality of mental phenomena. It includes both conscious processes, through which an individual is aware of external and internal circumstances, and unconscious processes, which can influence an individual without intention or awareness”.
Now, when you go through what Wikipedia highlighted above as to what one part of the human body “The mind” does,
Need I remind you that it’s a lot?
Here’s why you need to guard your mind and why it matters.
Our minds are our most valuable asset. Mindful living requires a healthy mind, and without it, we can’t realize our full potential.
Mindful Consumption:
Just as we’re mindful of what we eat to maintain physical health, we should also be mindful of what we consume mentally. There’s “junk food” for the mind, such as violence, gossip, reality TV, and excessive social media.
Rachel Naud, a TV expert and program coordinator, Lifestyle Media at Centennial College, while Narrating her ordeal to her students in class, of how she was greeted with backlash in the social media comment section after she wrote one of her articles on real estate titled: Our plan to be mortgage-free didn’t work; strongly advised
“Do not read the social media comments, they are not healthy.”
It’s a no-brainer that when we indulge in checking back on people’s reactions towards what we have done especially not to hurt anybody, we risk our Cognitive dissonance and disturb our mental peace
“Mindfulness helps protect our minds, and a protected mind makes mindfulness more attainable”
-Sara-Mai Conway
Neuroplasticity:
Our minds have the remarkable ability to form new neural connections (neuroplasticity). However, this works both ways. If we feed our minds “junk” daily, they crave more and redefine what they consider normal. Avoiding harmful content is crucial for maintaining a healthy mind.
Disturbing the Peace:
When we engage in activities that disrupt our mental peace, we become accustomed to a new, unhealthy baseline. Violence, whether in fictional media or daily news, affects our brains and changes how we perceive the world. Protecting our minds involves being mindful of what we label as entertainment versus necessary information.
Choices and Beliefs:
Our minds shape our experiences. Every choice we make stems from our beliefs and thoughts.
Therefore, protecting our minds involves cultivating positive beliefs and making conscious decisions.
=Mind and Don’t Mind=
Mind= you have every right to mind what you feed your energy on.
You have the right to sieve what you have been offered and know when to say no and of course yes!
Don’t mind= it’s simply okay not to mind the noises, distractions, and bad vibes. It’s as serious as life.
Practical Ways to guard the Mind
We understand that.
It’s our sole responsibility to hit the gym to stay fit and eat nutritious foods to keep our bodies in good health, just as it is for achieving a sound mind. Here are some prescriptions from an expert, Sara-Mai Conway, a health and wellness expert.
Meditate Consistently:
Meditation, practising deep breathing, and doing yoga reduce somatic stress, help us sleep better, and promote emotional regulation. When we’re mindful, we’re aware not only of what the mind sees all around us, but we're also aware of how we feed on the junk food of our self-criticism. A stable mind, developed through consistent meditation, is less vulnerable to anything that’s put in front of it.
Spend Time in Nature:
When the mind is given time to be outdoors in nature, we get closer to our natural state of being. The ‘true nature’ of our mind is one of spaciousness, ease, and loving-kindness.
Declutter your environment:
Our minds are prone to distraction. While we’d still be susceptible to distraction if we lived far from society in a cave, it’s still worth the practice of decluttering our environment to help protect the mind.
Our minds are influenced by our environment and can feel more spacious when we’re surrounded by minimal, simple decor. We can also declutter in other ways. We can declutter our phones by removing distracting apps. We can declutter our days by intentionally choosing how to spend each minute of our time.
Socially Engage Offline:
In-person social engagement supports healthy cognitive function. Studies have found that those who are actively engaged in a social network, regardless of the size of that network, sustain cognitive function longer into old age.
Engaging socially through helping others, volunteering, and being of service also promotes brain health. Compassion is not separate from cognitive function but requires us to apply top-down cognitive processes to develop compassion and, ultimately, extend it to all beings. The intentional practice of compassion changes and protects the mind.
Mental Stimulation:
Engage in activities that challenge your brain, such as reading, puzzles, and learning new skills.
This is what happens when you don’t take care of your mind:
Neglecting your mental well-being can have significant consequences.
Cognitive Decline:
Without proper care, cognitive abilities may decline over time. Memory problems, difficulty concentrating, and reduced problem-solving skills can occur.
Mental Health Issues:
Depression and Anxiety: Neglecting self-care can contribute to mental health disorders like depression and anxiety.
Stress: Chronic stress affects both mental and physical health. It can lead to burnout, fatigue, and impaired decision-making.
Physical Health Impact:
The mind and body are interconnected. Neglecting mental health can affect physical health, leading to conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease, and weakened immune function.
Social Isolation:
Poor mental health may cause withdrawal from social interactions. Loneliness and isolation can further exacerbate mental health issues.
Reduced Quality of Life:
Neglecting self-care impacts overall well-being. It can lead to dissatisfaction, a lack of fulfillment, and reduced enjoyment of life.
In summary, protecting our minds is essential for overall well-being, cognitive function, and mindful living. Let’s choose mental nourishment that promotes peace, growth, and clarity. Remember that taking care of your mind is essential for a fulfilling and healthy life. Prioritize self-care, seek professional help when needed, and practice habits that promote mental well-being.