5 Tips for Healthy Mind Body and Soul

What kind of information do you like to fill your mind with? Do you find yourself constantly reading cheap or free newspapers only to find there is a terrible story in it that upsets you? Or perhaps you get caught up in other people’s opinions and conversations and find yourself agreeing to things that you actually don’t agree with!

Did you know that you are heavily influenced by the people you surround yourself with on a regular basis? In fact you pick up behaviours, mannerisms, opinions, beliefs and oodles of other information that your brain unconsciously absorbs when around other people, resulting in you behaving in similar ways.

If you want to make a change, break a habit or routine and find that something is stopping you – look to your environment, the people around you, where you work, what you read and how you speak to yourself. All have significant influences on what you are internalising, and have an impact on how you live your life.

Here are 5 tips on keeping a healthy mind to help you on your way!

1. Meditation/Mindfulness

We read about the profound effects that meditation has on our mind, but how many of you actually do it on a daily basis? I used to be a complete fidget bum in my early 20’s and the thought of staying still for longer than a minute was catastrophic! It was certainly challenging but I practiced and persevered and now find it pretty effortless if I give myself enough time to relax. I do have to make time every evening to relax and clear my mind before I can go to sleep or else I won’t sleep very well! Of course first thing in the morning is also a great time to meditate. When you meditate you are giving your mind time to clear, reformat itself ready for all the new information that is going to be taken in the following day, or day ahead.

2. Media

As much as it is important for us to be aware of what is going on in the world so we can help to prevent or stop bad things from happening, the media is very centred around pain and negativity. This fuels pessimism and ideally it’s best to avoid subjecting your mind to it regularly. There is no point in being stressed or worried about something you have limited control over, it’s a pointless waste of energy. Also beware of brainwashing, all is not necessarily as it seems and the media are great at exaggerating and bending the truth. If you want to make a difference to the world in some way, you could seek out some voluntary work or donate to a charity.

3. Surround yourself with people of whom you have things in common with and give you opportunities to grow.

There is a metaphor which I love to use to describe letting go of old friends or relationships that are no longer useful to us. I like to call them Old