Mind Over Mourning

The brain is the most powerful organ in our bodies.  John Hopkins Medicine says “ The brain controls your ability to think, talk, feel, see, hear, remember things, walk and much more. It even controls your breathing.” (1)

Unnumbered articles and studies have been published, focusing on something called neuroplasticity, which is the brain’s capacity to continue growing and evolving in response to life experiences. This fascinating concept plays a part in our journey, whether we realize it or not. 

It would be obvious that both positive and negative events and self-talk affect the brain and the pathways it forms. Repeat affirming, peaceful, gratitude-filled mantras, and the little roads in our brain will most likely begin forming in that way. Indulging in negative, anxiety laden, self-deprecating thoughts, and the opposite outcome likely occurs. 

Grief and trauma can take a toll on our complete selves—mental, spiritual, and physical.  The unmistakable correlation cannot be denied.  There usually comes a point on our journey that the weight of sorrow needs attending. One more moment of heaviness makes us feel we will go mad!  Our thought patterns MUST change! Hopefully, there comes a crossroads where we feel the choice to take that road to better mental health, and hope-filled and peaceful, calming thoughts is the best choice.

So, how do we get there?

Some begin with prayers and Bible verses, others choose positive mental attitude quotes, affirmations, and meditations. No matter where you choose to start, consistency is key. Our brains WILL begin to naturally change and form into whichever conscious, most attended to thinking is most fed.

But, of course, no judgment here on when this happens. Grieving is usually coupled with many negative attributes like guilt, regret, and anxiety. We cannot deny ourselves the literal need for these emotions to play out. Backsliding into former behaviors may occur, which is totally normal. This pilgrimage of loss must be taken at our own paces. The response to grief is diverse.

For more information or if you just need someone to talk to, please reach out to the folks here at First Hour!

(1) Reference https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/neurology_neurosurgery/centers_clinics/brain_tumor/about-brain-tumors/how-the-brain-works.html

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