As we usher in the season of Eastertide and the beauty of Spring, we are reminded of the significance of transformation. The days of a cold and barren winter are giving way to warmer days, more sunshine, and colorful new growth, and blossoms. During Lent we prepared the soil of our hearts and minds by spending more time in prayer and reflection and removing things that separated us from God. Spring is a wonderful time for growth and transformation. What transformations can we make to fulfill the commandment to love the Lord our God with all our mind?
This month’s wellness topic will be focused on mental health. It is the perfect time to begin the conversation about transforming our thoughts. The word “mental” is derived from the Latin word mentalis which means “of the mind”. Specifically, I am going to discuss an important aspect of our mind: our thoughts.
Our thoughts have a powerful effect on our emotional health and our physical health. The first step towards gaining control over our thoughts is through self-awareness. Is there something that is blocking or preventing you from engaging fully with God and others? Frequently we have thoughts that go through our mind that we are not consciously aware of. We may find ourselves feeling anxious but unable to pinpoint the source of our anxiety. We may be feeling down, unmotivated, or less patient with others without knowing why. There may be times when we have body aches, a headache, or a stiff neck that is brought on by tension arising from stress or feeling overwhelmed.
Recently a study was published in the journal Alzheimer’s and Dementia which highlighted the link between Repetitive Negative Thinking (RNT) and dementia. The study assessed the cognitive function of 292 middle-aged to older adults over four years. During two of those four years, the study’s focus was on the thinking patterns of the subjects, specifically identifying repetitive negative thinking (RNT). Negative thinking includes worrying about past negative events and future events that cause anxiety. The middle aged to older subjects with a high degree of repetitive negative thinking showed a notable decrease in memory and cognitive decline. They also had more buildup of toxic brain proteins.
Regardless of whether you are presently concerned about dementia and memory loss, negative thinking has adverse effects on your wellbeing at any age. We would do well as parents to help our children identify negative thoughts. Negative thinking and self-talk becomes habitual, but it can be corrected through becoming aware of our negative thought patterns and then taking steps to change or replace them with positive, realistic thoughts. Becoming aware is the first step towards changing and replacing our negative thoughts. Next month we will take a more in depth look at types of negative thoughts and how they affect our feelings and our behavior.
Reference Link: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/link-between-dementia-and-repetitive-negative-thinking-identified
Greta Parkinson, MA-LPC, is a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 20 years experience working with children, adolescents, adults, families, and couples. She has worked in the public sector as a counselor, policy maker, and director of child, adolescent, and family services, as well as in private practice offering services to children and adults. In her therapy practice she helped clients with a broad range of issues including anxiety, depression, mood issues, ADHD, parenting issues, career related transitions, relational issues, and other adjustments to life transitions. A parishioner for many years, Parkinson joined the staff of Christ Church Episcopal in 2024.
