A Saudi expert has called upon individuals to adopt new lifestyle patterns to maintain healthy mental capabilities and avoid mind and soul aging. 

Prof Abdullah Almufleh of Riyadh University has argued that ‘balanced planning for life helps avoid negative effects on mind and soul, while improving mental health’.

According to Prof Almufleh, there is a clear connection between negative behaviour in dealing with aging and individual behavioural patterns that can constitute an introduction to mental aging.

For example, pessimistic thinking, repeated complaining, luck-dependence, negative dialogue and objecting change and improvement are all daily syndromes that lead to mental aging.

The most negative factor is the absence of positive, productive thinking, which affects not only the mind and soul but also the body itself.

A series of workshops were recently organised across the UAE as part of the preparations for Abu Dhabi International Aging Conference 2008, which will be held at Emirates Palace under the patronage of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

It will be chaired by chairperson of the Family Development Foundation (FDF) and chairperson of the General Women Association Shaikha Fatima bint Mubarak.

During the workshops, Prof Almufleh advised individuals to adopt a new self methodology in dealing with daily issues in order to change for better.

“You need to start by changing what gets into your mind; interests, hobbies and relationships. Then start making sacrifices, make little adventures, take some risk and break the routine. It is important to try new things and be responsible, to put positive agendas; imagine them and work hard to achieve them, and look
for somebody to help us with that,” he said.

Positive thinking starts by accepting yourself, explains Almufleh.  The next step should be running a self-dialogue, focusing, and moving ahead to positive thinking and productive planning, because that’s the only way to maintain mental, physical and life balance. It is indeed important to recognise your goals, study them and make them measurable, achievable and realistic.

Prof Almufleh’s training programme to avoid mind and soul aging also includes hands on training for successful planning, thinking, self management, relationship management and crisis management in order to define strength and weaknesses.

The workshops were held at FDF branches in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, Dubai Public Library in Twar, Teachers Association of Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah’s Women Association. – TradeArabia News Service