By Life Change Psychotherapy Institute
Life today is short on balance and long on stress! It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, hassled, isolated and totally out of balance. (Hey, you’re in good company.)
How do we find a better emotional balance? Don’t leave it to chance or some accident of the universe. A well-fed brain is the key; make sure you have a daily range of activities that strengthen your brain in different ways.
Enter the Healthy Mind Platter, a “prescription” for better mental well-being created by Dr. Dan Siegel and Dr. David Rock. The Platter is a list of seven daily essential mental/emotional activities—mental nutrients– that can help strengthen the brain and control stress. Time spent on each activity may vary and change, but together the seven activities help us connect better with others and the world around us. And that translates to a greater sense of peace. Here’s what the Healthy Mind Platter is serving up:
Focus Time—Closely focusing on tasks in goal-oriented way helps create deep connections in the brain. Multi-tasking doesn’t count; in fact, that’s the anti-Rx for good focus. Try puzzles or reading.
Play Time—Be spontaneous or creative. Try something new. Playful activities make new connections in the brain and lift our spirits. If you need more instructions, ask a child!
Connecting Time—Connect with other people—ideally in person—and with nature. This creates energy and harmony, and helps fight isolation. Talking about your feelings or problems goes a step further; brainstorming about solutions often helps reduce stress.
Physical Time—Physical activity gets our blood pumping and our muscles moving, but it also stirs up our brains, creating strength and awareness.
Time-In—When you quietly reflect on sensations, images, feelings and thoughts—such as while meditating—you are literally sorting out your cluttered mind and emotions and finding peace.
Down Time—Unstructured time—without any specific goal or agenda—is like a brain massage. The mental wandering or relaxing helps your mind to recharge, rejuvenate. Listen to music, watch waves rolling in or birds soaring in the sky…you get the picture.
Sleep Time—Sleep helps you recover from the day’s challenges, but it’s also when you consolidate things you’ve learned or ideas you’ve encountered.
Do these seven activities habitually, and you will literally carve out a neurological superhighway in your brain—a pathway to good self care.
Remember, too, that emotions—positive or negative—are like contagious diseases: They spread easily. By keeping your brain healthy, you can create a better, happier balance in your life AND share that with those around you.
