Discover the Power of Stretching Your Mind

 

We can stretch our minds so that we can achieve more out of life…

emember when everybody was talkin bout a new way of walkin? Mind stretching is the process of teaching the brain a new way of thinking!

It’s about effectively connecting the right/left brain. Each hemisphere controls certain functions and movement on the opposite side of your body.

The right brain is more creative and the left brain is more verbal. But it’s related to the brain, so it’s complicated. While each side has it’s strength, the two sides don’t work in isolation. Both side contribute their part to logical and creative thinking.

This is a complicated science. Scientists haven’t quite decided if our brain is the same as our mind, or is our brain simply a part of the mind.

Are they one in the same of different and separate entities? One entity is identified as neuroscience or ‘the study of the brain’, and the other is identified as ‘the mind’ and considered to be pure vibrating energy.

I like to think of the mind as the non-physical entity of our being.

Scientists and philosophers are still arguing as to whether the mind exists without the brain. So far, their explanation is that they are yoked, inextricably connected to each other by the body,

Our minds conduct ‘thoughts’ faster than the speed of light and retain all experience in detail whether consciously or not. Our minds create, project and receive thoughts. They express emotions and feelings, and determine the positive or the negative levels in our bodies.

The fascinating part is that the mind is associated with consciousness and it can stretch because our consciousness is able to expand!

“When you are inspired by some great purpose, some extraordinary project, all your thoughts break their bonds: Your mind transcends limitations, your consciousness expands in every direction, and you find yourself in a new, great, and wonderful world, and you discover yourself to be a greater person by far than you ever dreamed yourself to be.” Patanjali — yogic philosopher

When you expand your mental processes, you will initiate the flow of limitless thought and possibilities. This means your personal and work life, relationships and happiness levels will flourish.

We can stretch our minds by exploring and understanding how we process a new idea and reframe our thought patterns. By way of this process, we will ultimately stop limiting ourselves to past references and experiences. This will eliminate roadblocks to future thought and creativity.

Your life will take an importance because you are exploring your nature and environment with an awareness that is like a dance. When you stretch your mind, the idea of a life well lived is attainable. The best thing about it is that this can happen at any age!

Our experiences, thoughts, desires, dreams, passions, knowledge and everything you’ve ever done and everything you’ve ever been in your life is your “tool kit”. One of the ways in which you can stretch your mind daily is by digging into your tool kit. It’s like a human survival kit because it reflects you.

The Diet for Stretching the Mind

Sustaining and promoting good brain health consists of a diet that includes the following:

• Olive oil
• Fruits and vegetables high in Vitamin E, such as blueberries, broccoli and spinach
• Fruits and vegetable high in beta-carotene, such as spinach, red peppers and sweet potatoes
• Foods rich in antioxidants, such as walnuts and pecans
• Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish — salmon, mackerel and albacore tuna

A healthy brain diet also includes exercise of all kinds, as well as other brain challenging activities like crossword puzzles, chess, reading and creative hobbies.

Researchers have studied the effects of sleep and brain function. They found that sleep deprivation negatively affects memory, but improves learning and problem-solving skills. Surprisingly, they also found that we can learn new things during sleep!

Excessive alcohol consumption, as in long-term heavy drinking, can lead to serious brain damage because alcohol shrinks the brain. Contrary to popular belief, alcohol doesn’t kill brain cells, but it can cause deficiencies in white matter that resides between the folds or wrinkles of the brain’s landscape. White matter affects learning and brain function and helps manage communication within the nervous system.

We should all have a tool kit for stretching the mind. We may not be conscious of our tools, but they are an integral part of our nature and provide us with guidance and inspiration for stability, resilience and balance. Our tools are also responsible for clear thinking, better communication and well-defined relationships.

Stretch your mind and stretch your life. Young or old, it’s a free and measurable compass of how joyful your path in life can be.

“You can chain me, you can torture me, you can even destroy this body, but you will never imprison my mind.” Mahatma Ghandi