Episode 244: Natural Highs – Neuropsychologist Matt Bellace

[SpookyGhost]

The neuropsychology PhD, author and speaker shares natural ways for us to improve our mood and take care of our brains.

- See more at: http://mentalpod.com/natural-highs-neur ... Fyilp.dpuf

[Lila]

I did a quick research on TM and was wondering if anyone of you got into it without an official TM teacher, because it's quite pricey in my opinion.

[irrationalpersist]

I found this episode very helpful. It has inspired me to practice meditation. I use the timer on my iPhone to set 20 minutes. I don't use a fancy technique, I simply discipline my mind to count each breath from 10 to 1 over and over. It isn't a mantra, but it does focus my mind. If I go off track and wander down a thinking path I gently remind myself to give that concern to the divine energy of the universe and return to counting backward. Sometimes I really zone out and I am not counting and I am not thinking, I am just observing my breath in and out.

I don't know why, but 20 minutes is the magic number for me. When the time is up I am relaxed and it is as if my nervous system has hit reset to a lower pitch wave length. I find I have a better day and I make better choices for my own self care.

It is a simple practice. I make sure I am comfortably sitting, with my back well supported and my head floating above my shoulders. It isn't the same when I lie down. It can be just as beneficial, but it is a different result.

Thank you for this great episode.

[Murphy]

How long does it take to get "good" at this practice? I do yoga, and I can barely keep my mind quiet for the 5 minute shavasana at the end. I do feel relaxed after the hour yoga session, but that part in particular I find difficult. I feel like maybe I should try meditation, just because it's supposed to have all these benefits, but I'm afraid I'd be bad at it and then just get frustrated.