Not in good spirits during the current pandemic situation? No need to ask why. On the contrary, what is worthy of study is to understand how some people can still maintain good spirits. Of course, individual strong character and abundant resources are important protections. But these good things don’t just happen. There is one thing that we can do immediately. And after becoming a habit, it can help us a lot.
To arrange the spiritual food we absorb every day.
If a person eats without restraint, eats anything and everything, eats in unknown portions and eats whenever they likes, then they will naturally get sick from eating. Everyone’s daily food is not only consumed by mouth, but also by what is seen with the eyes, heard by the ears, and then enters the head. It is our spiritual food. If we don’t care about our intake of spiritual food, taking it in all the time, our brains will be damaged.
The most common behavior of people suffering from severe mental stress during the pandemic is to check their mobile phones from morning to night, constantly following news and comments through social networking sites. They don’t know that this kind of website is designed to target the weaknesses of the human brain, one of which is glowing screens, and another is emotional images, short videos, and text. These websites analyze personal preferences to provide information for free. Delivered as a buffet of information. The auto-play clips cause the brain to constantly seek more visual stimulation and arouse various strong emotions, such as excitement and panic. It makes people feel what they are watching is the only meaningful thing worth paying attention to in life. Especially at night, the light from mobile phones will inhibit the sleep function of the brain, making people mistakenly think that they are not sleepy and can continue to watch. The result is a lack of sleep daily. Emotional management and other cognitive functions will be greatly reduced. If they have to concentrate on returning to work and study, will they have the strength to do it? The chaotic environment of society collides with the frustration in personal and work life. Within a few seconds, stress breaks out, emotions lose control, and mental disorder symptoms appear. Therefore, during this period, people who can maintain mental health will be very careful, smart, and self-disciplined in choosing spiritual food: limit the types, the portions, and the time.
In terms of types, news information is certainly worth reading, but they are only served as side dishes. The main course is still the practical things that you need to work hard to do at this stage. It can be work, school, or taking care of children or family members. In terms of side dishes, there are diversified tastes and various hobbies. By focusing on hobbies, especially those done alone, such as reading history, literature, and science, you can enjoy yourself. The form of information isn’t only from online images, you will come into contact with physical objects, such as opening a book, doing handicrafts, and touching grass in person. In short, don’t just spend time online or on your mobile phone.
In terms of portion, you must be restrained and watch only for a limited time. If not, you will watch more and more, and keep chasing it, because this is the natural reaction of the brain when it comes into contact with the luminous screen. Turn off the notification function of the mobile application. Don’t open social networking sites or news pages on your browser when using the computer for homework. The eyes should avoid temptations and distractions.
In terms of time, you should only read the news during the day on your mobile phone. After nightfall, your mobile phone is placed where you cannot see it at all times. Many people buy an alarm clock specifically to prevent themselves from reading text messages and the news while setting the phone alarm before bed.
I hope that everyone, starting from today, will choose the spirit food they take.
Written by: Dr. William Chui
Originally posted on: Mindset College Channel
Translated by: Cheuk Long Chan
