Does Your Mind Need A Mental Tune Up?

My car is starting to make a puttering sound? I know that’s not a technical term but to me it means it may be time to take it in and have a mechanic give that puttering sound a name or, better yet, just give it a tune up.

Our minds can work in the same way. Sometimes we get a little off and need a tiny bit of a tweak here and there. Sometimes we get a lot off and need a major tune up! What gets us out of balance or off track and needing a mental tune up varies from person to person. It could be the everyday stresses of life or a catastrophe that sets you spiraling into an out-of-balance cycle. Whatever it is, getting back on track reinvigorates your soul.

Oscar Wilde said “we are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars”. When you’re feeling out of balance, it’s hard to see the goodness in the world. If you focus your vision on looking upward you’re certain to eventually see the bigger picture. But like many people, I have off hours, days, even weeks! Regaining balance can be extremely challenging. I have found that if I don’t take time to stop and re-fuel my soul, then I can’t ever find my balance.

I see a lot of people heading off to yoga, Pilates, or running trails--this is good stuff! They’re not only doing good work for their bodies but also re-energizing and balancing their minds.

But what happens when you get stuck? You just don’t feel motivated to workout or try to get out of the funk that you’re in? There seem to be a lot of people who gradually slip into a depressed state sometimes the harder they fight it, the more it takes over.

Research indicates that depression is becoming even more common that it was during really difficult times such as the Great Depression. Scientists believe it’s in part because life is easier. What? How can that make sense? Is life really easier? In some ways.

It seems that’s because certain things in life are not as difficult. We have ready-made food and microwaves, so we don’t have to spend time chopping, preparing, and cooking it. We have remote controls for everything so we hardly have to move to change the TV channel, turn on the lights, etc. These things, while making our lives easier, have taken away some of the things that our brain needs to help it grow. The activity of doing these tasks causes our mind to focus on things and helps keep depression at bay. An idle mind leaves plenty of room for self-defeating thoughts to fill your head.

Keeping your mind and body busy helps ward off depression. That’s why exercise is a great remedy. However, you can’t workout all the time. When the blues set in, remember that if you start to do something that requires your mind’s attention and some physical effort—any task—you’ll find that you likely won’t slip into a deeply depressed state. At first you may not feel like continuing the task, but keep at it and in a short while you’ll find that you’ve given yourself a natural mental tune up.

Phoebe Chongchua
		About the author:
		Phoebe Chongchua is an award-winning journalist who appears on TV, in print, and on the Internet. She's a former ABC affiliate News Reporter/Newscaster who founded Live Fit Magazine in 2004, recognizing how the journalism industry is rapidly moving online. The magazine has evolved frrom producing content only for LFM to producing much-needed video feature news stories and documentaries for companies and associations. Phoebe discovered an unfulfilled niche market and expanded LFM in order to meet the needs of a growing marektplace. Her clients are happy she did! Live Fit Magazine produces video news stories that entice viewing audiences to watch the video, spread the message, buy the product or visit the establishment. It's a creative, credible approach to marketing companies, products, and services. Few companies offer what Live Fit Magazine can do for your company in a single feature video story. Phoebe works with clients to seamlessly integrate their newly produced video into their current marketing materials. She offers expert advice on new marketing strategies and call-to-action campaigns. Her innovative efforts keep companies positioned for success and their customers regularly watching new and informative videos.
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