By Rob Wilkins

I was asked the other day by one of my participants what they could do to refresh their minds?  I had to ask whether they were talking about new knowledge or simply exercising the mind.  They then went on to talk about how, when they are working or studying, they sometimes feel fatigued.  I asked them whether it was physical or mental. They felt it was mental or thinking fatigue.

It raises a point which I think most people need to be mindful of and have a presence of thought about.  We tend to look at ourselves in a series of isolated moments.  That is we want our reflection to be linear – a series of events.  In truth, most of what we do is linked.  An example might be; I was really tired last night.  I had to skip breakfast in the morning because I was running late. It was a tough day at work with back to back meetings.  Then the train was crowded.  Then the traffic was dense. By the time I ate dinner it was eight o’clock.  I crashed into bed not long after!

In isolation this series of events looks like a typical day for a lot of us.  But if we reflect on ourselves holistically we would realise that everything we do is part of a symbiont system.  That is we rely on many stimulants, interactions and energy sources around us and cannot function correctly if we do not have them.  If we reflected on what it is that gives us energy, makes us happy, keeps us calm or helps us perform then we will start to make time for those things that refresh us.

When looking to refresh our minds I have a list of 8 things that work for me (perhaps for you too!) and you will see that the physical as well as the mental are included.  This is because our minds need some basics: time, rest, stimulation and oxygen.  Of course your brain requires the oxygen and your mind benefits from it.  Try this list and feel free to write back and suggest other mind refreshers for the Recharge Lounge audience!

Music

Much has been written about Music and it’s cathartic benefits.  All I know is that it makes me happy and a general disposition of happiness energises me.

Recreation

No doubt about it, a nice walk or a bike ride gets the blood pumping, oxygenates the blood and releases the natural chemical base that seems to refresh us.  Always look to walk and breathe.  Even 15 minutes will provide benefit.

Physical exercise

Enough said.  Think of your mind, body and spirit.  As I said, look at yourself holistically. (I need more of this!)

Crosswords and Sudoku are your friends

I am big on both of these.  There is a big fad currently on brain training.  Even the electronic gaming industry has bought into it.  The problem with games is you obtain mastery quickly and the brain tends to not be exercised after mastery. The key is to know whether what you are doing TRANSFERS into our overall cognitive abilities and mental faculties, as measured independently from the game itself, and enables you to have a better improved memory, concentration, decision-making, planning skills etc.  You need to be mindful that you have growth and a changed state. There is a growing body of evidence (See Guy McKann’s book) to suggest that crosswords and Sudoku contribute towards your cognitive abilities.

Interact and examine your state of change

Meet new people and always take the time to interact with the people you know, love and respect.  The stimulation offered by other opinions and knowing or being mindful of their effects on your opinions and thoughts is a powerful disposition to have.  It allows you to be flexible and adaptive and coninuously refreshes the mind!

Read and keep reading

I think this sums it up; reading a good story can help you forget some of the problems in your own life:

“I can’t get around much anymore,” said the 100-year-old woman who lived in the nursing home. “When I go somewhere, I have to go in a wheelchair now. But when I read, I can go anywhere, anytime I want. And no one has to help me!”  There are too many benefits!  Just remember to choose wisely in terms of what you read.  I find fiction refreshes me.

Sleep

7 Hours is what I need.  Again, what does that symbiont system of yours require?  What are the things tomorrow that are dependant on your sleep today?  Always remember, your mind requires that sleep to feel refreshed.

Be Mindful

Mindfulness is a natural state of living and recognising life moment by moment.  As I write this I am reminded of Ellen Langer’s description of mindfulness:

”Mindfulness is a state in which one is open to creating categories, open to new information, and being aware of more than one perspective.”

Be good to yourself.

Rob Wilkins is a Learning and Development professional with over 20 years experience in Corporate Learning and Development, Management and Executive Development, Learning Technologies and Organisational Performance Improvement. Currently completing his Masters in Knowledge Management and Business Information, Rob is considered a specialist in eLearning and Personal Learning Environments with a strong Knowledge Management influence guiding his research and professional development. Email: dawilkos@tpg.com.au : or more of his insights on a daily basis: Blog: http://roalp.blogspot.com

This entry was posted on Monday, October 20th, 2008 at 4:00 pm and is filed under mind. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.