Mental Fitness

Although it is the most important part of our  representing as it does our direct link we have to our Maker or our spiritual source, most of us have not kept pace with modern neurological science and consequently have limited knowledge of the brain.

We know the brain is housed as a sensitive instrument within the confines of the bony skull. It is shaped somewhat like a walnut, with a division between the hemispheres and all crinkly but much softer in texture than a nut.

Each part of the brain has a different purpose and responsibility and is wired with unlimited connections to transmit commands and to receive information.  Up until now, it is believed that most people only make use of about 1/12 of its capacity.  But that figure is no doubt a seriously inaccurate one if we are to go by the similar assessments of use of our personal electronic computers, capable of so much more than we can fully utilize, particularly if we choose to waste its potential talents in just playing electronic games.

Perhaps only the genius mentality of those who created the first advances in computer technology will ever have some clues to understand how our brain works.  Most of us don’t want to understand how it functions, we just want to rely upon its capacity to do want we want and never crash.  That’s what all of us want of our brain.

The brain begins to make complaint when we have a headache. Sometimes it can be obvious that the cause is a physical one such as after too much coffee, or alcohol. At other times there seems to be no reason at all, except perhaps with nervous tension or anxiety about something. However, the brain in good health doesn’t usually complain.  It functions well enough and remembers most things we want it to. Only later as we age it seems to use the delete button too freely!

If we look after the brain and avoid accidental injury, eat the right food, get proper sleep and rest and be sure to deep breathe and inhale enough oxygen, it is expected to last in good shape for the rest of our life. With some people, it can even hold its own intellectually and even improve in its creative abilities into old age.

But we generally know so little about our brain – the organ that deserves much more than casual interest and respect- at least a little wonderment and appreciation of this precious personal computer that is so central to our existence.

Sally Janssen’s wonderful book “Mental Fitness: The Complete Self-Help Guide”, offers timely solutions. Read more…

Technorati Tags: creative, fitness, logical, Meditation, mental health, register of thought, The Brain

Along with a great deal of medical information regarding the effects of chemical substances detrimental to the brain we are faced with the recognition that alcohol has perhaps the highest proven status in the category along with a growing list of drugs still under investigation.

Evidence of the power of alcohol is before us all in society as we witness the altered changes in behaviour towards aggression and not only temporary damage to our youth, but long term and the possibility of considerable irreversible damage to their brains. The destructive influence of alcohol upon personality and behaviour become obvious in all alcoholics, but only recently has the extent of damage to the brain itself become clear as scientific medical evidence reveals.

A  Report on ‘ Brain atrophy and intellectual impairment in heavy drinkers’ by L.A. Cala, B. Jones, F.L. Mastaglia and B. Wiley of Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital Queen Elizabeth II medical Centre, Nedlands, Western Australia indicates the following …

“We have found a high frequency of cerebral and cerebellar atrophy and dysfunction in a group of relatively young habitual heavy drinkers. While some could reasonably be regarded as ‘alcoholics’, none could by any means be considered the derelict ‘skid-row’ type alcoholic and the majority regarded themselves as nothing more than ‘heavy social drinkers’. ”

It is not too difficult for those of the public who are concerned about this social issue and the resultant personal tragedies that are associated with the habit of drinking alcohol, to relate alcohol consumption to later development of Alzheimer’s and other symptoms of senility that share a similar shrinkage or atrophy of the brain.

We must then relate the desire to remain free of such mental disease as associated with a need to reject alcohol from our lifestyle. Unlike some countries where to consume alcohol constitutes a major offence and exacts sometimes the death penalty, here in Australia as in many western countries, it is left to the individual. We must undertake our own personal disciplines in relation to health matters.

Knowledge is the only way any of us can intelligently choose our actions in life. If we choose to drink alcohol we must know the consequences. And still, should we choose to continue to drink we must be willing to face a future that involves a loss of self control, loss of not only a healthy heart but a healthy brain and the burden of a great deal of suffering given to our loved ones.

Technorati Tags: mental health, nger, personality, violent behaviour

There are many platitudes such as the suggestion that we are only as old as we think we are.  Although it is no doubt our thoughts that help to keep us youthful, or influence the speed of the ageing processes of our body, there are certain physiological considerations that also must be taken into account.

Physical health means that the brain is likely to retain its healthy functions and condition also. This is a fundamental priority if we are interested in remaining as vital and youthful as we can. But there are specific facts known to science that help us to understand further.

Our brains require quantities of oxygen and absorption of vitality from the subtle atmosphere of our environment. This is taken for granted when we are young but as we age we must consciously draw upon nature’s universal supply in fresh air and improve our respiratory capacities. Every cell needs oxygen and our brain eagerly consumes up to what has been assessed as two thirds of what is provided in order to keep all systems functioning. The brain’s demand for adequate circulation of oxygenated blood points to the need for us to do regular exercise.

The brain gradually is inclined to reduce in weight and volume until at 70 years it has lost 5% of its weight. By about 90 years of age it may be reduced by approximately 20%. It requires vital nourishment from easily digested foods and vitamins. We therefore must be specially considerate of the factor of diet and our need for health supplements as we get older.

Scientists observe changes in the neurons of the brain as well as atrophy of cells and changes in hormone levels. Unfortunately these changes are all inclined to reduce the levels of brain and body function rather than improving them. The loss in brain weight is thought to be related to the shrinkage of the large neurons.  In the basal forebrain it is shown that these neurons shrink or die as we age.

Sally Janssen’s wonderful book “Mental Fitness: A Simple Self-Help Guide”, offers simple and timely solutions. Read more…

Technorati Tags: angercharacter, anxiety, Meditation, Mental Fitness, mental health, personality, relaxation, Stress

There are many causes of brain strain and we all suffer at some time from certain tiredness of the mind. The most obvious reasons often relate to study or intellectual or professional demands and responsibilities. There is also the self inflicted everyday habit of recycling personal disturbing thoughts and anxieties over and over.

We need to employ our brain power in creative thought and endeavour but also provide times of relief when we interest ourselves in pleasant activities that allow us to counter any fatigue or nervous strain. It is the equivalent to a change of gear to release the concentration we must exercise in our work and allow the brain a non-thinking period, or time of rest. And so we are wise to learn what we can of relaxation methods that allow body and brain to be refreshed. Here we find meditation to be ideal. Hobbies can also offer a direct course of interest and activity.

We can allow self imposed pressures in our attitudes and thoughts that exacerbate external pressures or even that these internal ambitions and ideas continue to exist on their own. If this is the case then as well as reduction of external stress situations, we must re-programme our own motivations to suit our real needs and allow us to enjoy a state of mental fitness.

Throughout the day it is possible to find a few minutes to stop still and do nothing, nor be thinking about anything in particular. The most elementary of disciplines is to sit upright and maintain stillness over your muscles. Once settled comfortably, just close your eyes and keep only the movement of your regular rhythmic breath but no other muscular movement.

Just continue to observe how you feel and what you are experiencing and what thoughts pass through your mind as your subconscious thought processes begin to unwind.

It is very simple. Only after a few minutes you will begin to feel better and more refreshed.

Most of us are satisfied that we have a need for greater appreciation of the need to be still and conserve energy of mind and body and that is why we practise meditation and learn all we can about mental fitness. 

Sally Janssen’s wonderful book “Mental Fitness: A Simple Self-Help Guide”, offers simple and timely solutions. Read more…

Technorati Tags: angercharacter, anxiety, Meditation, Mental Fitness, mental health, personality, relaxation, Stress

My brain is housed within the confines of my bony skull, cushioned like any other sensitive instrument. Here it functions without interruption throughout my lifetime, as do the brains of every other human being throughout their years.

There are few of us who ever seen the actual physical organ but most of us are aware of its walnut-like appearance with the  two halves with their distinct convolutions being separated by membrane.

Scientists say the brain is sexist and that nature discriminates – that a woman’s brain weighs a little less than a man’s. But perhaps it’s another example of the fact that size isn’t all that important. It’s the thought that counts.

The brain is actually the recorder and servant of my thoughts to which it responds to some extent but leaves the greater dictates of nature to assume superiority, particularly in matters of physiological function and for this, we must all be eternally grateful. I really appreciate that I don’t have to think of directing the heart to beat, or telling my digestion to function. It just happens. Read the rest of this entry »

Technorati Tags: Mental Fitness - Brain Care