Like plants need water, soil and sunshine, our mind also needs fuel.

You might say, a mind is just a mind, it needs whatever it gets. But like any plant, different minds need different nurturing. However, there are of course common ingredients that most mind needs to be healthy. Let’s see some examples.

Oxygen

Breathing is so automatic, we often forget it even exists. But fortunately, it’s always there and it’s our biggest ally, we just have to embrace it. Breathing connects us with our mind. It helps us cool down, release the tension in our body and clears our mind from constant buzzing. Breathing is so perfect and so powerful, yet so unexploited. Let’s take this exercise for example:

Take a moment to get into a calm, relaxed position. Read this text slowly and pause when needed. When you are ready, take a slow, deep breath. Hold it for 4 seconds, then slowly breathe out. Inhale slowly and hold it for 4 seconds. Exhale slowly. Your mind is already clearer, and you might feel lighter. Repeat for two more times: Take a slow,, deep breath, hold it for 4 seconds, and breathe out slowly. Inhale slowly, hold it for 4 seconds and exhale slowly.

Great! You might have just started, but you can already feel so much difference. Remember: If your mind is busy with thoughts and you can’t take it anymore, just breathe. It will be your greatest ally, forever.

Soft Sunlight

Plants need sunlight to grow, and our mind also need sunlight to thrive. It’s loving hug can calm us, fill us with warmth, relax us and improve our mood. It’s our infinite energy source. Let’s take an example how we can embrace it:

Read this text and try it out afterward: Slowly close your eyes. Turn your head towards the sun, or if that’s not possible, just imagine its bright, warm, relaxing light caressing you. Let it fill you up with its warmth. Now, visualize its light slowly draining every tension from your body making your muscles relaxed and you calmer, lighter and more peaceful.

Enjoy this state for the next few minutes.

Nutrient Rich Soil

Every living thing needs nutrients. Some more, some less. Plants get their food from the soil and they can be picky. Weeds can grow basically anywhere, while cacti need special well-draining, sand-mixed soil. Most plants want something different, but they all agree in one thing: they don’t like toxicity.

Guess what behaves like plants? Yes, you guessed right: our mind.

Our mind needs vitamins, minerals, amino acids, antioxidants and much more, varied in different ways. The best way to keep everything on track is to eat a variety of foods and mix them with vegetables, fruits, nuts and other healthy foods. We should avoid or at least minimize junk food, alcohol, drugs and smoking, because they can be toxic. After all, as the saying goes: a sound mind in a sound body.