Making time for your mind
We tend to take our minds for granted, but they are a vital part of our health and they need to be maintained. Andy Gibson, author of A Mind for Business and founder of Mindapples , explains how we can keep our minds healthy amidst our hectic lifestyles.
Andy Gibson
How is your mind? Feeling good? Sharp? Calm? Capable? Or is it more like a sack of laundry that could use a good brainwashing? For most of us, this isn't a question we ask ourselves very often. We check our diet, watch our waistlines, brush our teeth and wash our hands, but our minds have to take whatever's thrown at them and learn to live with it.
Our minds are very sensitive though, and we rely on them for everything we do, so how can we look after our minds throughout the day? If we can take care of our bodies by going to the gym, or eating an apple, then what's the equivalent for our minds?
We're all different, but here are a few basic steps you can take to keep your mind in good shape:
Drink water.
This may sound deceptively simple, but hydration is one of the basic building blocks of a healthy mental state. Dehydration interferes with your working memory, and can cause low moods and even depression over the long term. Even a small bottle can make a big difference, so drink water - it's free!
Sleep.
We all know that sleep is important, but even mild sleep deprivation seems to have a similar effect on our minds to alcohol. We don't all need the same amount of sleep though: get enough sleep for you to feel alert, but don't stress about getting your 'eight hours'.
Listen to you emotions.
Your emotions aren't just a distraction: are telling you how you really feel about the events in your life. If you feel anxious, try to figure out why. If you're angry or preoccupied, ask what's bothering you. Your emotions affect your decisions, behaviour and even how you see the world, so take them seriously.
Get control of your resources
We all like to feel in control, and the more in control we feel, the calmer we feel. Stress hits when you feel you don't have the resources to cope with the situation facing you, so figure out what you rely on to get things done, and make sure you have control of them.
Make time for breathers and restorers.
We make better decisions when our minds are healthy and rested, so build breathers and restorers - your 'mindapples', if you like - into your daily routine. Give yourself permission to take a break and get some 'me time'. This isn't time-wasting: it keeps you mentally sharp and your mind will thank you for it in the long run.
There are so many ways to relax and recharge, from exercise to hugging, reading to dancing, but they all work much better if you enjoy them and you feel they work for you. So the most important thing is to listen to your mind, and learn what it needs, and you'll soon find you're not only feeling calmer and healthier, but you're getting more done too.
Share the 5-a-day for your mind with Mindapples at www.mindapples.org now. A Mind for Business by Andy Gibson is available now, published by Pearson.
http://mindap.pl/mindforbusiness