If we want to get the best performance from our tools we know we need to spend some time looking after them. We maintain our cars, our computers, our air conditioning, even our hair.
We know that if we want to perform physically, we need to work on our bodies through fitness, nutrition and rest.
What do we do for our minds? Our mental and emotional states are, without doubt, our greatest assets. They allow us to perform tasks, to maintain relationships, to make wise decision and to be happy. If our mental and emotional health are not the best they can be, then we certainly can’t be great communicators, leaders or effective in our day to day lives.
How do you maintain your mind? We can find nourishment in social activities, sleep and inspirational stories, but there’s another important ingredient to mental and emotional health – meditation.
Meditation gives the mind the stillness it needs to rest, to allow dominating thoughts to lose their power, to take a wider perspective of problems, of relationships and of our lives.
We meditate naturally when we stare into a fire, watch the clouds or sit under a tree. But most of us don’t do that every day. This TED talk by Andy Puddicombe is a wonderful summary of why meditation is so important to include in our daily lives.
How do you maintain your mind?