Mental Health
ISSUE 25 | August 2022
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WANT TO CHANGE YOUR MIND?
You need to change your habits MINDSET | MARCUS WHEAN
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SYCHOLOGY is basically the science of everything relating to human mental processes and behaviours. As a psychologist and coach, I apply this every day to helping clients. People of all ages and backgrounds present with their own unique issues and stories. Whilst we have unique individual differences there are certain factors we share in how and why we think and behave the way we do. When we experience challenges and stresses it is often because of how we think or are thinking. The mind itself not a thing as such; and is an abstract concept to define. We all get what we mean by mind but defining what it is exactly is, for me, not straightforward. For simplicity’s sake let’s describe mind as the experiencing of life and ourselves by way of senses, perceptions, thoughts and emotions. It is this interaction that is both or mind and our experience of mind and therefore ourselves and our life. It is important to understand however, that whilst the mind ‘causes’ our life experience; it is the ‘effect’ of our life experiences, actions and habits. It is the way we interpret and make sense and meaning of all that has happened and anticipating the future as to what may yet happen. To change our minds though is not at all easy as you may relate. To just say “think differently”, or “just think positively” is, in reality, an unrealistic proposition. We can think in such a way to be intentional but just changing our thoughts on a whim is not easy and any changes are often not sustained. Why? To change our thinking, thoughts and mindset we must change our behaviours and challenge our daily habits. Thinking the same old way, we always have is a habit itself. We cannot change the habits of thinking unless we change the habits of daily behaviours and actions. Our mindset and thinking habits have been reinforced by correlating actions and behaviours. We must redefine, rethink our in-
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tentions and daily habits more so than just our thoughts themselves if we are to truly change our minds and life experience; and in turn increase mental health and wellness and quality of life. We are what we think, yes; only because the way we think is maintained because of what we do. It’s a vicious cycle It is hard to change our habits and therefore thinking because the old thinking habits, particularly if they’re negative, are going to keep us avoiding acting – which is why people fail to achieve goals. It’s a vicious cycle. What to do: We must think about how we want to be! What we want to do! How we want to live our life! This must be based on what we value and is truly important to us. Not what we wish we were; and not because it seems life what everyone else wants. Define this based on your core values and what is important to you! Set long term goals and smaller sub-goals and
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plans to achieve these goals. The daily plans and steps form the basis for new habits. These new habits become ‘evidence’ for new thinking because they become an actual lived emotional experience and not just some ideal of how you’d like to be. For instance, if you want to be healthier and more active. You can’t just think about being like that. You must think about your plans then make them and DO THEM. When you take action aligned with that thought you then ‘become’ a healthier and more active person as per that example. This behaviour aligned with action is the new reality, effects changes in mind and this becomes the new you. This now becomes a new way of thinking about yourself. It’s not in the future and it’s not a fantasy. You have literally changed your mind by changing your habits. You then have a sustained new self-concept and way to
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think about yourself. If there’s one quick takeaway, I’d say keep it simple to start. But most importantly even if you start small, start with yourself. Start a new, small habit that is all for you; around self-care and taking the time to put yourself first. Mine is 15-20 minutes of meditation, contemplation and setting daily intentions. I do this because I value myself. When you do something even small for yourself that you value – you are by implication valuing yourself and will experience self-value and in turn change your mind and experiencing of yourself that you value and appreciate yourself. This is a healthy mindset and therefore a healthier and happier, you! Marcus Whelan is a Registered Psychologist and Mental Fitness Coachwith 10+ years’ experience in private practice. He holds undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in psychology and education. Visit: www.marcuswhelanpsychology. com.au