Unit 4 Blog

1. Describe your experience. Did you find it beneficial? Difficult? Why or why not? Would you recommend this to others? Why or why not?

My experience with this weeks Loving Kindness MP3 was a mixed one. At first it was really calming, and peacefully, but then it asked us to start taking in the negative event, or thought that were happening to ourselves and others. At first this was really upsetting. After being so calm just focusing on these things made me very sad almost instantly. It took a little time for them to just start melting away, but in all I think it was a good practice. I could see myself using it if I had a bad day.

1. What is the concept of "mental workout"? What does the research indicate are the proven benefits of a mental workout? How can you implement mental workouts to foster your psychological health?

The concept is if you don't use it you'll lose it. Like the muscles of the body the brain needs to be in constant use to remain strong, and functioning properly. If this is not don't we will begin to regress, and forget much of what we have learned. There is research that shows that people that engage in a steady verity of mental workouts through out life have improved the memory, concentration and problem-solving skills of healthy adults 65 and older(MW, 2015). A way to implement mental workouts is to continue to learn new things about ourselves. Read material on psychological advancements, and how that may effect use personally,  continue to seek council, and guidance.

 

Mental Workout, 2015, Neurological Foundation of New Zealand, http://www.neurological.org.nz/brain-health/mental-workout