Just Blogging It Out...
The 21-Day Mindfulness Challenge
“A Wandering Mind is an Unhappy Mind..." (Matthew A. Killingsworth)
Pillars of an Unhealthy Mind
- Distractibility – unfocused on what we’re doing – attention deficit
- Loneliness – affects physical health - earlier mortality than obesity in the US!
- Negative self-talk – negative beliefs – “The Narrative Network” – the story of me starring me!
- Loss of meaning and purpose in life
Pillars of a Healthy Mind
- Awareness – capacity to focus attention - meta-awareness, knowing what our mind’s are doing (re-reading a page in a book e.g. lapse in meta-awareness)
- Connection – nurture interpersonal relationships (compassion, kindness etc.)
- Insight – changing our relationship to “The Narrative Network” (not the narrative itself, look at the narrative and see it for what it is, it's a constellation of thoughts - give yourself breathing room)
- Purpose – life headed in a particular direction
*Richard J. Davidson, Psychologist and Neuroscientist
The Art of Living - Bringing it Back to the Present Moment!
Train our Minds: Shift Perception, Awareness, Consciousness
Types of Learning with our Brains:
- Declarative learning – conscious recollection – texts – facts – rules for mathematical equations- learning happens quickly
- Procedural Learning – unconscious recollection - acquisition of motor skills and habits e.g. riding a bike/learning how to use a computer keyboard/playing an instrument
Neuroplasticity
“The ability of neural networks in the brain to change through growth and reorganisation. These changes range from individual neuron pathways making new connections, to systematic adjustments like cortical remapping”.
Growth of new neurons in response to repeated practice - wiring in the brain IS adaptable!
Research showed within 2 weeks of training/ 30 mins per day = MRI scanner can note the change!
Prefrontal Cortex/ Ventral Striatum strengthened – circuit important for positive emotions!
Benefits of Mindfulness?
-Relieve stress and anxiety
-Lower blood pressure
-Reduce chronic pain
-Deeper sleep with reduced disturbances
-Decrease negative feelings such as anger/tension
-Alleviate gastrointestinal issues
Duration: 15 minutes for 21 days!
Where: Zoom
Find out more by emailing us: info@soulsanity.io
