"I fear I am not in my perfect
mind." Shakespeare,
King Lear
Many elderly people may have the same
feeling of "imperfection" about their minds as they get older. This
is due to the accumulative effects of sorrows, health problems, and
recollections of long-standing difficulties from childhood (this is especially
true when long-term memories seem to come back, while short-term ones become
evasive and elusive). These accumulative effects begin to take their toll on
their mental health.
In addition, their digestive power has
weakened with age, resulting in poorer absorption of nutrients, and hence less
efficient brain cells in processing mental data. Therefore, it is important
to optimize your digestive health.
The therapy for an "imperfect
mind" begins with the mind itself. One of the therapies is psychotherapy,
which involves talking to another person or simply talking to oneself in the
form of affirmations. In the process, past experiences are uncovered,
especially those which are repressed, leading to different psychological
symptoms and problems. Through talking, you may come to terms with yourself and
life in general. In this way, you may also change your thinking, thereby
changing your attitudes and behaviors towards yourself and others.
Psychotherapy enhances your awareness of self and others. Through
behavioral therapy--part and parcel of psychotherapy, you unlearn certain behaviors
that are detrimental to your mental health.
Your deep
limbic system, which is near the center of your brain, may be
the culprit in the malfunctioning of your mind. An overactive deep limbic
system may make you do the following:
- You look back at the past, and you feel regret—you ruminate over what you should or should not have done.
- You look at the present, and you feel dissatisfaction—now that the prime of your life is over, and what is left is the lack and the inadequacy.
- You look at the future, and you feel anxiety--what lies ahead is pessimism and uncertainty.
The only way to heal your deep limbic
system is to change your moment-to-moment thought patterns. To do this,
you have to understand that your thoughts are real, not imaginary. But you also have to understand that
when you have a thought, it sends electrical signals to your brain, which
releases chemicals affecting how your brain thinks and functions. Therefore, it
is important that you become more aware of your own thinking. This awareness can
help you change your perceptions of your thoughts. For example, if
you become angry, notice how your physiology changes, such as muscle tension
and rapid heartbeats; when you are happy, notice how your body responds with a
smile. Train yourself to notice the differences in your deep limbic system and
your different bodily reactions to these different thoughts under different
conditions and circumstances.
Change your thoughts, and do not believe them as "real." Talk
back to them! Affirmations and repetitions of affirmations may dissipate all
your negative thoughts. Remember, negative thinking is a stumbling block to
maintaining a healthy mind, especially as you get older and you are confronted
with many new challenges in your life.
Change your thoughts, and do not believe them as "real." Talk
back to them! Affirmations and repetitions of affirmations may dissipate all
your negative thoughts. Remember, negative thinking is a stumbling block to
maintaining a healthy mind, especially as you get older and you are confronted
with many new challenges in your life.
Stephen Lau
Copyright© by Stephen Lau
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