1) Describe your experience. Did you find it beneficial? Difficult? Why
or why not? Would you recommend this to others? Why or why not?
2) What is the concept of "mental workout"? What does the research
indicate are the proven benefits of a mental workout? How can you
implement mental workouts to foster your psychological health?
Answers:
Honestly, there are those who benefit from guided meditation and there
are those who do not. I happen to be in the latter group. Her voice was
calm and soothing enough. I just find it very distracting to have someone
tell me what to do during meditation. I loved the ocean waves sound and
the flute sound in the background of the "loving kindness" and "Subtle Mind"
exercises, though. I love to meditate to Zen meditations with sounds of nature.
It was very relaxing, I just couldn't get my mind to totally do what was being
asked of me because I found the talking distracting.
Mental workout refers to training the brain. There are many games that have
been created to train the brain to improve memory and logical skills as well
as other skills. According to the "Canadian Mental Health Association", it is
just as important for us to maintain good mental health as it is to maintain
good physical health. When we are mentally healthy, we can be more creative,
enjoy our life and environment more, learn, try new things, and take risks.
Also, we are better able to cope with different stressors such as the death of
a loved one, the loss of a job, etc. When we are in good mental health, we
can move on with our lives more quickly after these types of stresses in our
lives. The best way that I know to foster good psychological health is meditation
and other "Eastern" practices. I find it also helpful to try and stay away from
people or situations that you know BEFORE HAND are going to be stressful.
I do my best to only communicate with people who have a like mindset to myself.
As I like to say, I only deal with people who are "on my level". That's not to
say that I am better or worse than anyone else. Different people have different
types of mindsets, however, and are of different personality types. I find that
it is easier just to stay away from people who stress or upset you than it is
to try and force yourself to get along with them. Having said that, I DO respect
other people's choices in their lives. I don't JUDGE; I just don't associate with
people who don't have a lot in common with me. That may sound harsh, but it takes
a LOT of stress off of me and the other person/people too. :)
Source:
http://www.cmha.ca/mental_health/benefits-of-good-mental-health/#.UQQ9rvJIrtk
I am glad you mentioned the voice telling you what to do as a distraction. I think that is it for me. I close my eyes and hear her voice and perhabs I am not ready for instruction, I need to clear my mind a bit more first.
ReplyDeleteI also liked you comment on not assoicating with people that causes you stress. I had to tell a "friend" that I couldn't do things anymore with her. I was tired of her calling three times a day to gossip about others.I know I hurt her feelings, but I feel less stressed not having her as a friend, which is good for my mental health.
Hello Amanda,
ReplyDeleteI believe this type of exercise takes some practice in order to become proficient. I struggle very hard to keep the mental chatter out of my head during these exercises. I believe I am getting better. Do you think there is some sort of guide or reference point that tells you after so many weeks you should be at a certain level?
This class is an elective for me. I believe I can achieve wholeness - I just didn't think it would be so much work.
Amanda,
ReplyDeleteI tend to do better with just the music itself. It is very relaxing. I have always slept with a fan running which is similar to listening to the relaxing meditation music and sounds. I have been trying to try this relaxation techniques on my kids, I have one with high functioning autism and hoping that this practice will benefit her.