The Healthy Mind Platter

In my experience, having a healthier mind often trickles down into a healthier body, healthier relationships, healthier finances, better sleep and better choices. Dr. Dan Siegler has a great breakdown, called the Healthy Mind Platter, to help organize your time to create a more balanced mind.  He lists 7 categories of intentional time to try to fit in to each day to stay balanced. Personally, I need to create more playtime in my life. How about you? What adjustments do you need to make for a healthier mind?

Focus Time

When we closely focus on tasks in a goal-oriented way, we take on challenges that make deep connections in the brain.

Play Time

When we allow ourselves to be spontaneous or creative, playfully enjoying novel experiences, we help make new connections in the brain.

Connecting Time

When we connect with other people, ideally in person, and when we take time to appreciate our connection to the natural world around us, we activate and reinforce the brain's relational circuitry.

Physical Time

When we move our bodies, aerobically if medically possible, we strengthen the brain in many ways.

Time In

When we quietly reflect internally, focusing on sensations, images, feelings and thoughts, we help to better integrate the brain.

Down Time

When we are non-focused, without any specific goal, and let our mind wander or simply relax, we help the brain recharge.

Sleep Time

When we give the brain the rest it needs, we consolidate learning and recover from the experiences of the day.