The neurologist explains that new activities and moments in the open air contribute to brain rest
The habit of overthinking is a common problem that affects most people, even if the mind is naturally prone to wander. Many find it difficult to break away from unwanted thoughts or incessant tasks.
However, to maintain mental and physical health, it is essential to cultivate leisure and rest. The doctor. Fernando Gomes, a neurosurgeon and neuroscientist at Hospital das Clínicas in São Paulo, offers some tactics to help in this process.
“It’s common to read in most self-help books and instructions for eliminating negative thoughts and increasing positive ones. It’s great advice, but in practice, when you use your brain too much, positively or negatively, it can burn out and then c ‘It’s the perfect scenario for mental failure, for messy, confused, desperate thinking,’ he explains.
Thinking about everything at the same time, continuously, is synonymous with no live in the present. The only way to stop identifying with all thoughts is to stop following them, resting the brain to obtain a mental reprogramming essential for the correct functioning of vital functions.
The first step is to disconnect from technology.
In recent years, research has been able to show that this actually happens. The high demand for technology manages to inhibit the functioning of specific regions of the brain. Then the prefrontal cortex determines what you’ll be paying attention to, and relays that information to deeper regions of the organ, like the basal ganglia and thalamus, which then close the barriers to competing stimuli—that’s an open door to distraction. and for untimely thinking.
“When shutdown occurs, the brain lets its guard down and thus lowers the barrier to competing stimuli, allowing for monitoring of the environment, looking inward and rest and idleness so important,” says Dr. Fernando Gomes.
Explore quieter places
Neuroscience has already shown that brain idleness caused by contact with natural environments can improve mood and memory, as well as reduce stress and the chances of developing diseases such as depression and anxiety – other major problems of this era.
To turn off the gray matter, the neuro leaves a few suggestions:
- Avoid cell phone alerts, unfollow social media, check emails and messages, and put your phone on airplane mode whenever possible;
- Look for activities that it helps distract thinking, like watering a plant, cooking, or reading a book;
- Experience the calm, tranquility, silence and breathe fresh air;
- Get started today!
By Mayra Barreto Cinel
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
