Unit 4 "Mental Workout"

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

 I used my husband to focus on, because he is my best friend.  I used my grandson, because he is my first grand child, and we've been best pals since he popped his little head out and looked me right in the eyes, as if to say I'm  Here! are you satisfied?  I allowed all of the feelings to expand, and the experience was great.  I then focused on myself, I experienced the pleasant and the unpleasant, and I tried giving them my loving-kindness.  After giving loving- kindness,  I found this experience beneficial because it is something differant that I haven't been doing, but got such a positive outlook doing it that I will try it again.  The next time I will focus on differant loved ones and try it for a longer period of time.


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 of "mental workout" means exercising the mind.  Just like we exercise our body's we have to exercise our minds to improve that part of our body too.  If we don't use it we lose it.  It means we have to actively engage the brain in differant ways.  It may mean doing something new or doing something old in a new way.  Do activities that stimulate and challenge us intellectually seems to be best.  Building cognitive reserve is beneficial to maintaining mental alertness and decreasing the risk of developing alzheimer's.  The brain craves a challenge.  I notice that the more I am stress free and tension free the better my memory is.  If you want to remember something later concetrate, and pay attention.  Reducing distractions help me to focus better.