These are busy times. Information overload, exponential ambitions and global challenges combine to create a dangerous cocktail that threatens the mental health and wellbeing of all of us.
Millions of workers find themselves trapped in a relentless delivery wheel. Some become super-stressed, narrow-sighted and flat-minded, others suffer from depression, burnout and physical illness.
The hybrid life of agile teams does not make things any easier. Especially if you are engaged in what you do and want to have some influence. You better be flexible, alert and resilient if you want to achieve the goals and fulfill the purpose. Over and over again. Who wants to be left behind?
So we run faster, work smarter, and try doing better. We immerse ourselves in disruptive projects with steep learning curves, both at work and in our spare time. We sacrifice self-care and social activities for plans to make, books to read, and cases to study.
Like addicts, we desperately chase the next fix of news updates, trends and gossip. This overconsumption of information leads to mental constipation and emotional exhaustion. Our fear of missing out and always-on mentality leaves no space for assimilating, containing and digesting new ideas. No time for contemplation and deep diving.
Mind, consciousness, and thought are the universal ingredients of human experience. If your mind is flat and your consciousness is in survival mode, your selection of thoughts becomes limited, destructive and self-harming. Conversely, a spacious mind and creative consciousness foster thoughts that are life-supporting and sustainable.
There is a strong link between quality of thought and wellbeing. The saner you're thinking, the healthier your mind and body. The ideas you have, the choices you make, the actions you take, the stories you tell — all influence your mental and physical health. Cultivating thoughts takes an open mind and intentional awareness.
Think of the brain as a food processor. What comes out depends on what goes in. Just as the body needs a balanced diet, the mind requires nourishing information to stay healthy.
There are many analogies between physical and mental food. Thought-food can leave you with gains, pains, or no impact…
