Positive Mind? 6 Simple Tips

“Healthy mind, healthy body .” * You’ve heard this sentence before, haven’t you? You’ve certainly come across it at some point. It has the power to generate great reflections, but we often focus so much on the physical body that we end up neglecting the mind. The truth is that the body and mind are interconnected all the time. And how does this happen?

First, let's make a simple distinction between brain and mind, using something we're all familiar with: computers. Imagine that the brain is like the hardware – the physical part – and our mind, the software – with all the instructions written in a programming language that we still don't fully understand. The brain is responsible for the proper functioning of the body , but it is the mind , with its "programming", that gives the commands to that brain . That's why a positive mind is so important.

But what is really programmed in our minds? The answers can be diverse:

... a multitude of concepts, ideas and beliefs,

...some right, some not so much,

...some confusing, others very clear,

...all absorbed by the interactions and experiences we had,

...some striking, some irrelevant,

...some conscious, some unconscious,

... acquired in the family, in schools, in the city and country where we grew up, in the content we consume, in what we hear in the media and in social and professional circles.

They are our mental fingerprints . Of a lifetime!

It can be such a vast set of things that sometimes trying to find a culprit or hero for our "mental programming" can be a futile task.

The good news? Even without understanding all the factors involved, there are simple things we can do to have a healthier, more positive mind – and best of all, with immediate results.

6 Tips for a Positive Mind Shift

• Invest a few minutes a day to breathe, close your eyes and try not to think about anything ( mindfulness ) , or even meditate;

• practice a sport or hobby that you enjoy;

• listen to music that puts you in a good mood and makes you happy (be careful with depressing lyrics);

• do not feed worries and fears;

• hang out with lively people or true friends;

• do not read the news or browse social media at least 30m or 1h before going to bed.

Or simply do something that relaxes you and makes you feel good.

Of course, eating healthy and getting enough sleep are also recommended. It is essential to nourish your mind just as you do your body.

* For curiosity: “ Mens sana in corpore sano” is a Latin quote meaning “healthy mind, healthy body” derived from Satire X by the Roman philosopher Juvenal.