by Dr. Daniel L. Hollar, Ph. D
The mind is powerful. You can navigate it around and through a river of negative thoughts, feelings and actions by becoming more aware of your thinking, emotions and behavior. This river is also known as negative self-talk, hypersensitivity and maladaptive behavior.
Taking a moment to reflect on your thoughts will put the mind in tune with the body. This will allow better communication to take place between the mind and body. Contemplation and meditation are two practices by which this aim can be achieved. If your mood changes rapidly, is negative or problematic over longer periods of time, you have to make adjustments before troubling thoughts take root and gain hold of the mind. Long held thoughts become long held beliefs which create habit forming behaviors. These habitual behaviors can be adaptive or maladaptive and ultimately manifest as our personality. An individual's personality can be ordered or disordered. Restructuring negative thinking patterns, distorted thoughts, misperceptions and false beliefs can change the mind for the better.
Concerning internal matters, eating & sleeping well, drinking plenty of water, and enhancing the body through exercise all work together to keep the mind healthy and strong.
Regarding external matters, there are many things you can do to change your environment if you feel affected by negative thoughts, emotions, or are displaying maladaptive behaviors. Things within the home or work environment can be designed or adjusted in a way to serve as a triggers or reminders to shift our thinking away from negative thoughts. For example, by adding photos, paintings, statues, plants, and music we create symbols that help re-center the mind. Spending time outside or in the sunlight also increases functioning of the mind. When working, be sure to take a fresh air break or if you can't get out of the office, try to get near a window. Doing these things will help to create an environment that gets the mind into a state more conducive to a positive, healthy mental lifestyle.
Putting your mind over these matters will help foster psychological well-being and improve your overall mental health.
Peace,
Dr. Hollar
Daniel L. Hollar, Ph.D., Chair/Assistant Professor Department of Behavioral & Social Science Studies/College of Liberal Arts Office: Lemerand Nursing Building Room 205 Bethune-Cookman University 640 Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Blvd. Daytona Beach, FL 32114 Office: 386-481-2526 Email: hollard@cookman.edu
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