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A Saudi expert has called upon individuals to adopt new lifestyle patterns to maintain healthy mental capabilities and avoid mind and soul aging.
Professor Abdullah Almufleh of Riyadh University has argued that 'balanced planning for life helps avoid negative effects on mind and soul, while improving mental health'.
According to Prof Almufleh, there is a clear connection between negative behaviour in dealing with ageing and individual behavioural patterns that can constitute an introduction to mental aging.
For example, pessimistic thinking, repeated complaining, luck-dependence, negative dialogue and objecting change and improvement are all daily syndromes that lead to mental aging. The most negative factor is the absence of positive, productive thinking which affects not only the mind and soul but also the body itself.
A series of workshops were recently organised across the region as part of the preparations for Abu Dhabi International Ageing Conference 2008, which will be held at Emirates Palace.
During the workshops, Prof Almufleh advised individuals to adopt a new self-methodology in dealing with daily issues in order to change for better. "You need to start by changing what gets into your mind - interests, hobbies and relationships. Then start making sacrifices, make little adventures, take some risk and break the routine. It is important to try new things and be responsible, to put positive agendas; imagine them and work hard to achieve them, and look for somebody to help us with that," he said.
Positive thinking starts by accepting yourself, explains Prof Almufleh.
The next step should be running a self dialogue, focusing, and moving ahead to positive thinking and productive planning, because that's the only way to maintain mental, physical and life balance. It is indeed important to recognise your goals, study them and make them measurable, achievable and realistic.
