Two
practices that I have determined to be the most beneficial to my personal
growth are that of the relaxation technique The Subtle Mind and the use of
meditation. I feel that these practices can be implemented into my personal
life to foster mental fitness in a variety of ways. As we discussed mental
workouts in Unit 4, I remember that these exercises have to be done on a daily
basis to perform at its best. Learning to condition my thoughts and feelings
through strengthening the fitness of my mind can be done with the practices of
relaxation and meditation. I plan on employing these practices in the morning
when I wake up and right before I lay down to sleep. These methods will allow
me to start and end my day with a calm and clear mind. In the morning I will be
able to start my day off in a positive mood with a sharper mind than previously
and at night it will let me wipe out any negativity that may be left behind
from the day. Consistent and regular exercise will additionally boost my
memory. With both methods focusing on inhaling and exhaling, it allows me to
pay close attention to my breathing. As I perform this my mind becomes clearer
and less distracted from outside factors. This permits me to teach my mind to
concentrate as I am performing these techniques. Every time I apply these types
of training, my deeper consciousness becomes more developed and expanded.
Utilizing these exercises at least twice a day will alleviate stress, anxiety
and potentially ward of mental disease or illnesses.
I really like that you use these techniques at night! I have found that it is almost impossible for me to sleep unless I meditate myself to sleep. I practice keeping my mind from racing SO much during the day, that when I lay down at night, my mind is like "Ok Darryl, let's get creative". I will have so many random things pass through my head that I have to stop, focus on my breathing, wait for that moment when I start thinking really silly weird things (a sign that I'm falling asleep), and then let my mind go off with those as I fall asleep. I've found that doing this, I have incredible dreams at night.
ReplyDeleteWhoa, this is your post and I totally just went on a rant...sorry :-). I loved your post though, keep up the great work!
Thanks for the thoughts and my mind does that a lot when I am trying to sleep as well. I am hoping that eventually the meditation practices will become routine and my mind will automatically transcend to this peaceful state at night. Only time and practice will be able to tell. :)
DeleteHeather, It sounds like you have a great plan to implement meditative practices into your routine. I also like to do meditation in the morning and right before bed. I find that in the morning it helps me start the day off right and at night I sleep so much better. I'm so glad we have shared this journey together.
ReplyDeleteRachel
Thanks, me too.
DeleteWhen I was in 6th grade before a math test our teacher would make us meditate. We would lay on the floor start with our toes up to our head saying eat body part was relaxed n when we got to our head we would envision the a+ on our test. I still do it at night when I know I have something important to do the next day so my mind doesn't race. Great post!
ReplyDeleteThat is really cool and that teacher was providing you a benefit that you weren't even aware of at that time. I bet that foundation and exposure to meditation has helped you in this class. Thank you for sharing this story with me. I hope you share that with others and if you have children I hope you let them experience the benefits of meditation as well.
DeleteHi Michelle,
ReplyDeleteI also chose the subtle mind I chose it because I feel as though it will help me be able to turn off my mind and experience the exercises like they should be. That is great that you connected with the meditation I was not able to connect with it and I do not think that I will do it in the future. I think that I am just not one of those people that connect with it. However that is great that you did. I think that it is great that you are going to do them in the morning and at night this will help you start your day as well as shut down at relax at night.
-Ashley
Thanks!
DeleteHeather,
ReplyDeleteI have really enjoyed reading your blog. I really think that implementing these exercises in the morning and at night are great ways to begin and end each day. I would really like to try the Subtle mind exercise and Taste of Human Flourishing exercises with my husband. I think it would be beneficial for both of us and a great way to bring integral health into our lives. I am hoping I can practice at least once a week but I think that setting a goal of every night or every other night would hopefully be achievable and would most likely provide many wonderful benefits as well.
Have a great week, Tiffany