1. Describe your experience. Did you find it beneficial? Difficult? Why or why not? Would you recommend this to others? Why or why not?
My experience with this exercise was both positive and negative. Although I did have some amazing positive thoughts about my children I had more of a negative experience with other parts. I could not seem to get past when it asked to take in all of a loved one’s suffering and pain. I was so overwhelmed by this that I literally had to stop the exercise, I almost felt like I was going to have a panic attack. I know that it said to bring in those negative feelings but then to release positive ones, I just could not get past the negative emotions. I think the rest of the exercise went downhill from there. I do not feel as if this was very beneficial, just because I could not get past this. I personally would not recommend this to others, however, I know that someone else might benefit from this, I personally could 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?
The concept of “mental workout” is to keep your mind alert and sharp. Research on the physical results of thinking has shown that just using the brain actually increases the number of dendritic branches that interconnect brain cells. The more we think, the better our brains function – regardless of age. (The Human, 2004)
I can implement mental workouts in my daily routine by playing games that stimulate my mind and reading more. This will help to keep my mind sharp and to continue to read and add to my daily vocabulary, having a 2 year old and a 4 month old, it is easy to forget about grammar.
Resources:
The Human Brain. 2004. Retrieved on February 27, 2012 from http://www.fi.edu/learn/brain/exercise.html
Hi Ashley,
ReplyDeleteIt is nice to meet you. I enjoyed reading your post on the exercises. I also found them to be emotionally draining. I think when you or someone you have cared about has gone through something traumatic it is difficult to deal with even years later. I do not know if this is the case in your experiences but I know with my own experiences and my daughter who is 10 she was traumatized for a couple of years physically, emotionally and sexually and she was threatened not to tell and she did not until several years later. You never know who and when it is going to happen. You are definitely not alone. We moms have to stick together. It is so true that our brain cells increase with the more we use it. I also think you have great ideas on how to implement mental workouts by playing games that stimulate the mind and reading more. I find that playing mystery type games with my daughter really helps both of us. I also do crossword puzzles with her to help with her vocabulary and her reading. Another good way to keep the brain cells going is to read and learn new works in the dictionary.
Ashley
ReplyDeleteI to struggled with this exercise. I did not have the same struggle as you and I am sorry that it was such a struggle for you. My struggle was just getting into it. I had a really hard time just getting into it and releasing. Maybe that has a lot to do with my Type A personality dominant traits.
Arline T.