Mind Matters: Embrace, Empower, Evolve
Mind Matters: Embrace, Empower, Evolve
Our brains are extraordinary, with trillions of connections managing various functions. Understanding three crucial traits can lead to a happier brain. First, our brains empathize, feeling the pain of others as our own. Second, the brain can’t distinguish between real and imagined events, affecting our emotions similarly. Third, physical and emotional pain are processed alike. …
Improving self-awareness is a vital journey of understanding ourselves better—our thoughts, emotions, and actions. It’s crucial in today’s fast-paced world, guiding us to make better decisions, nurture relationships, and navigate challenges effectively. Self-awareness involves exploring our strengths, weaknesses, motivations, and behaviors. Through practices like mindfulness, journaling, and seeking feedback, we gain valuable insights into ourselves …
Objective self-awareness refers to a state where individuals focus their attention on themselves, evaluating their own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in comparison to certain standards or norms. This type of self-awareness involves looking at oneself from an outside perspective, often through the lens of societal expectations, cultural norms, or personal ideals. When someone is objectively …
“I feel sad all the time. Nothing makes me feel better.”“I can’t make myself do much work. I’m just getting through the day.”“I don’t enjoy things like I used to.”“Everything feels like it’s falling apart. It feels hopeless.”“I feel like something is wrong with me. Nobody will want to be around me.”“I don’t think things …
Growing up, I often heard tales from both my maternal and paternal grandparents about our family’s journey during the partition of 1947. “We were among the fortunate ones who managed to cross the border unscathed, but we left everything behind, including vital documents detailing our family history and possessions.” This is a story shared by …
One great thing about family systems theory is that it understands how important the surrounding situation is. This is crucial for cross-cultural therapists who work with diverse clients with different backgrounds. The idea is that the family plays a big role in shaping who we are, and when you combine all the parts of a …
“Psychology parh key psycho ho jao gi”“Hum pagal thori hain jo psychologist key pas jayen gey”“Psychologists tou khud pagal hotay hain” Facing pushback on why I chose mental health as my focus made me reflect on the stigma and shame associated with seeking mental health services, especially within our Pakistani and South Asian community. As …
A Cultural Reality That Causes Discomfort Growing up, I rarely said “no,” especially to adults. In our Pakistani families, cultural values emphasized respecting elders and being compliant. As a girl, it was expected not to appear “selfish” by putting my needs before the collective. If my parents decided we were going to a relative’s house, …
Human Beings have a powerful need to conect with each other. Our brains are wired to seek out social interaction and to respond positively to feelings of empathy and connection with others. This is why effective communication, which includes both verbal and non-verbal cues, is so important for building and maintaining strong relationships. By understanding …
In the complex world of human communication, conflicts can unexpectedly come up, pushing the connection in ways that might seem a bit surprising. Humans have a powerful need to connect with other human beings. Sometimes, when they are unable to connect, they express their true feelings through conflicts and arguments, which shows us a fascinating …
In various cultures, there’s a belief about the importance of social connections and how they shape our lives. While Western societies often emphasize individual pursuits, studies across mammals, including humans, reveal our deep reliance on social bonds. Childhood disruptions in these bonds can lead to long-term issues. Social Pain and Its Connection to Physical Pain …