Simplifying the Mind by Alessia

Simplifying the Mind by Alessia - July 2017 Scholarship Essay

When thinking of TED talks I think of interactive and conversational learning, the kind that draws people in and spreads awareness. The stage holds an accredited individual who drops a thought and explores It such a way that a ripple effect is spread amongst the viewers. Knowing the influence a TED talk would have, I would personally give my own talk on simplicity, and getting back to our roots.
If individuals and families just took a few minutes out of their day to realize how caught up with a Monday through Friday life in the fast lane they are, perhaps they would take a step back and take small strides towards simplifying their lives. Today’s world is so complex and intertwined with cyber communities that often, real-life interaction is left up in the air. To a point applications and smart technology have been helpful and fast in answering questions so that we may continue with our day. However, on the other hand a new level of stress is introduced by both the level of distraction and loss of natural interaction with our surroundings it induces.
I find that many do not consider the dependence on technology from this perspective, yet what if they were to acknowledge a growing stress on the mind they were unaware of? What if the human mind, was not equipped to handle the shift in technology and isolation that comes from its distractions. What if we were all forced to face the facts, unable to filter them out of a news feed and see the stats on the rise of mental health disparities. Would one understand the difficulties we create for ourselves when asking our brains to keep up with multiple applications, conversations and driving all at once? We are losing ourselves in the process of dividing our isolated thoughts. Throughout our communities, anxiety, depression and loss of identity are on the rise and from younger ages than ever before. The answers are believed to be in pharmaceuticals which wear down our bodies, and require adjustments, and piggy backing of additional medications until they are taken like breath mints.
What if in this complex and deeply intertwined mess, we were to take a step back and away from it all instead. The effects of eating an apple and drinking a glass of water in the morning are said to be like that of a cup of coffee. Meanwhile, the hormone release that comes from going on a walk or a hike, surrounded by natural sounds in our environment, the silence away from the hustle and bustle, is known to relieve stress more than a Xanax would. So why don’t we try to simplify our lives and cure our minds in a wholesome route prior to pharmaceuticals? Is it because no one has the time anymore? Time to simplify. Like the stress that creates the principle problem, the answer is in the mind is well.
I would love the opportunity to create a ripple effect from this perspective amongst a TED talk audience. If successful in engaging my peers, discussion would go beyond borders and influence others to work towards simplifying their everyday lifestyles. Being in the nursing field I feel an obligation to my patients and community in finding healthy adjustments that can reduce stress on the body and mind. This all begins with assessment and conversation. In my TED talk I would discuss alternatives to energy boosts, being able to stay in the loop without living in a digital screen, and how to adjust our perspectives to stay on track to simplifying and healing minds, minds that were built to discover, learn, achieve, and survive at more than just a virtual level. It is important for everyone to take a step back and declutter their minds with their natural environment.
Because I enjoy these types of discussions and their feedback, I feel that I would be an effective speaker, that may come up with several analogies that would break the ice and stick with my audience long after the talk. We all understand that realistically technology is great in moderation. But because of our ancestral history and biological makeup, we must not forget the importance of getting back to our roots and being present in the real world, for ourselves and others. I know that my love for the body, mind, and spirit, will make me a strong asset as a nurse, and find that when you enjoy what you do, you never work a day in your life. This is how simple and stress free I chose to keep my life. Real and free from the technological entrapment of the mind.