2. Mental Fitness PART 1 What is mental fitness? 3 Research Studies – Healing qualities of mental and spiritual focus 1) Dean Ornish Study (Schlitz, M, Amorok, T & Micozzi, M.S. 2005. pps. 305-306). 2) Tai Chi may help heart failure patients sleep better (NCCAM. 2010) 3) Dance therapy (cancer.org. 2010)
7. Mental Fitness Dance therapy (cancer.org. 2010) -Dance therapy is used to help in the physical and mental well-being of persons. It connects both mind and body to bring about healing (cancer.org. 2010) -In one recent study, a group of breast cancer survivors took part in a twelve-week dance therapy and movement class. The women who had dance therapy showed better range of motion in their shoulders than those who had not had the class.
8. Mental Fitness PART 2 Exercises / Activities that can improve mental fitness Chanting – Om Mani PadmeHum 2) Positive Affirmations to counter the effects of negative emotions ……I invite love into my life….
9. Mental Fitness Chanting – Om Mani Padme Hum Steps: Turn of all phones, electronic devices. Find a peaceful spot where you are not likely to be interrupted. You may rest at a position that you are most comfortable. This exercise involves inhalation and exhalation which is all done through the nose.
10. Mental Fitness Chanting – Om Mani Padme Hum Inhale deeply for 4 counts, hold for 1 second then Exhale slowly and as you do, chant, Om PaniPadme Hum (you may do this aloud, softly or in silence) If you should chose to do this in silence then as you inhale and exhale, keep your focus on the words Om PaniPadme Hum and ultimately you will find that the words and your breath become one. 8. You may do this for 15 minutes or for as long as you please.
11. Mental Fitness Positive Affirmations to counter the effects of negative emotions Steps: Pick literature that you are open to, comfortable with etc. Some great quotes can be found in the Bible, Rumi, Khalil Gibran, keep in mind that these are my favorites. You may like other literature. Pick a quote just before you take a nap or go to bed.
12. Mental Fitness Positive Affirmations to counter the effects of negative emotions 4. For example, if you are mind is constantly racing with thoughts, unable to keep silent, here is one of Rumi’s greatest quotes “Silence is the language of God, all else is poor translation” (Mahalo.com. 2010) Read the quote aloud, repeat it, till you memorize it Next keep on repeating silently in your mind and you will find that your mind becomes focused
13. Mental Fitness Positive Affirmations to counter the effects of negative emotions 7. You can also take a step further and modify this into: “silence is the language of God, my mind is still”, keep repeating till you feel that peace in your mind. Should you fall asleep, let yourself go and do not hold back. This is just one quote, you may look up quotes to cater to your situation. I have added a site of positive affirmations for your reference.
14. Mental Fitness Summary Based on all the research studies and the availability of various exercises available to improve mental fitness, we can say that:- -our mind can be trained to engage in positive thoughts thus creating situations or events that are positive. -Through mental workouts, we are able to foster greater well-being in all areas such as body, mind, spirit ultimately living a life of wholeness
15. References Dacher , E.S. (2006) Integral Health: The Path to Human Flourishing. pp. 19 Laguna Beach, CA. Basic Health Publications Schlitz, M, Amorok, T & Micozzi, M.S. (2005) Consciousness & Healing: Integral Approaches to Mind-Body Medicine. pps. 305-306 St. Louis: MI. Elsevier Churchill Livingstone
16. References (2003) Om Mani Padme Hum. Dharma Haven Retrieved December 12, 2010 from http://www.dharma-haven.org/tibetan/meaning-of-om-mani-padme-hung.htm (2010) Tai Chi may help heart failure patients sleep better. NCCAM Retrieved December 12, 2010 from http://nccam.nih.gov/research/results/spotlight/072508.htm
17. References (2010) Dance therapy. Cancer.org Retrieved December 12, 2010 from http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffects/ComplementaryandAlternativeMedicine/HerbsVitaminsandMinerals/dance-therapy?sitearea=ETO (2010) Rumi quotes. Mahalo.com Retrieved December 12, 2010 from http://www.mahalo.com/rumi-quotes
18. References Burney, R. M.A (1998) Positive Affirmations. Silcom.com Retrieved December 12, 2010 from http://www.silcom.com/~joy2meu/joy_50.htm (2010) How does chanting improve concentration of the mind? Hindujagruti.org Retrieved December 14, 2010 from http://www.hindujagruti.org/hinduism/knowledge/article/h w-does-chanting-improve-concentration-of-mind.html
19. References The benefits of chanting ommanipadme hum. Fmpt.org Retrieved December 14, 2010 from http://www.fpmt.org/teachings/lzr/ommanibenefits.php Symond, G. (2007) Positive Affirmations – A positive thinking technique. Vitalaffirmations.com Retrieved December 14, 2010 from http://www.vitalaffirmations.com/articles/why-positive-affirmations.htm
A very good afternoon to you, ladies and gentlemen. My name is SubrinaKavitha Philip Sugumaran, you can just call me Subrina or you can make the effort and say my whole name. Anyways, welcome to my presentation on mental fitness.
What is mental fitness?Dacher states that there are biological limits when it comes to physical fitness however, “the mind appears to be capable of limitless development” (Dacher, E.S. 2006. pp. 19).In the next 3 slides, we will take a look at the following research studies such as the Dean Ornish study, . You will see one common aspect in each of these studies and that is, there is great emphasis on the healing qualities of mental and spiritual focus.
We know that, when we get a good night’s sleep it also benefits us mentally, emotionally and spiritually. We are able to think better.
Physical activity, one of which is dance, is known to increase special neurotransmitter substances in the brain, called endorphins, which create a feeling of well-being. Total body movement also enhances the functions of other body systems, such as the circulatory, respiratory, skeletal, and muscular systems (cancer.org. 2010).
There are many activities that can improve mental fitness, I have highlighted two here and they are chanting and using positive affirmations to help in dealing with negative emotions and thoughts that enter the mind.Let us first look at chanting, Om Mani Padme Hum. What is the meaning of this? According to Tibetan Buddhism, the chanting if Om Mani Padme Hum is said to invoke powerful benevolent attention and blessings of Chenrezig, the embodiment of compassion (Dharma Haven. 2003). Therefore chanting this, basically helps us to be compassionate. Personally, I have found this to be very true, that it almost always teaches me to me silent, kind and humble within myself and when I can get to this point, it means my dealings with others would be equally pleasing. There are numerous benefits to chanting such as it being therapeutic, purification of the subconscious mind, better concentration etc (hindujagruti.org.2010). Many people who believe in chanting, chant different names of God. One does not need to have tremendous knowledge on Buddhism to chant Om Mani Padme Hum. Chanting Om Mani Padme Hum, has infinite benefits for oneself, for seven generations of your descendants and more (fpmt.org).Keep in mind, that I believe in, “to each his own” so if you feel like chanting, “om”, “satna” or anything you feel is beneficial for you, you may do so.
We can all agree that a large percentage of thoughts that enter our minds each day are negative ones, so by selecting a statement (something that is realistic, short and easy to remember) and repeating it to oneself, we then come to a point of believing it and seeking things, experiences that ultimately allows the statement to become real (vitalaffirmations.com. 2007). When this happens, it increases our self-esteem and gives us the courage to believe in more positivity for ourselves. More importantly, it gives us some control over thoughts that enter our minds.
Thank you for being a part of my presentation, I hope that all of you have benefited in a certain way and as you make your way to your next destination, you will think about your own mental fitness and what you can do to build a healthy, mind, body and spirit for yourselves.