onthe mind thestateofthemind address - …€¦ ·  · 2010-10-18onthe mind thestateofthemind...

On the Mind

THE STATE OF THE MIND ADDRESSBy Dr.Duncan Bowen, Ph.D.

When it comes to the state of ourminds, we are not in very goodshape. We have become numb,anesthetized and entrancedby our environment, foodand behaviors.

As they age, the majority ofpeople appear to be goingdownhill. The news isn't all bad,however. of our minds is notin very good shape. We havebecome numb, anesthetized,and entranced by our environ-ment, food and behaviors.

Back in 1958, scientistsbelieved that our brain woulddeteriorate throughout our life-time and there was nothing wecould do about it. New researchindicates something quitedifferent. True, the brain does godownhill as we get older, but thestatement that we can do noth-ing about it is untrue! If we moveout of the helplessness modeland into the proactive model, wecan enhance our lives.

Did you notice we began thisarticle talking about the mindand then mentioned the brain? I

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view them as two different enti-ties. The brain is the structure orgray matter that sits within ourskull. I view the mind as sittingwithin the brain. Your brain is thecomputer and the mind is thesoftware you installed in it.

As the brain grows anddevelops from infancy, we areconsciously and unconsciouslyprogramming our mind. It'sbeing done by our parents,teachers, friends, lV, govern-ment, etc. Much of the program-ming was beyond our control inour younger years. As adults,we can be active and proactivein choosing where we focus ourattention, making good choicesabout our state of mind andbrain functioning.

Research studies how ourbrain responds to enrichedenvironments, as opposed to

standard and impoverishedenvironments. It was found thatthe cortex, the gray matter ofour brain, grows and becomesthicker when we are in anenriched environment. Childrenwill show changes in their brainsin just four months if they areplaced in an enriched environ-ment. An elderly person alsoshows increases in corticalthickness, although it may takea little longer. So, how do weenrich our environment?

Think of your brain as a roadmap. Are you going down thesame streets, doing the sameroutines, and engaging in the

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same behaviorsevery day? Weall get dressedthe same wayevery day, groomourselves thesame every dayand generallyeat the same menu each week.Change your routine! Get yourprogrammed mind off autopilot!

Take on a problem solv-ing project. Learning to playa musical instrument actuallyopens up a new area in yourbrain. Reduce stress on all levelsand resolve emotional conflicts,Stress and conflict will depletevital chemicals and hormones.Tackle mental health issuessuch as sadness and depres-sion. Women and men over45 should have their hormone

Change yourroutine!Get yourprogrammedmind offautopilot!

levels checked.Start an exerciseprogram. Seekthe assistanceof a counselorif you feel yourrelationships needimprovement.

Your brain's potential isunlimited! Give it a workout! '"

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Dr. DUNcan Bowen is a mental health thera-pist with more than 25 years of experience111 treating addicitions. sexual health. mind!body issues and maximizing potential. Formore itiformatiofl, call The Adult & ChildCounseling &- Psychiatric Center in SatelliteBeach visit lVwlv,dul1canbowenphd.com. ormil (321) 779-9838

National Health Review / 2010