EFFECT OF ENVIRONMENT ON MIND

Our minds are affected by many aspects of technology like fluorescent lighting, highly processed foods, pollutants in air and water, the background roar of highway and industry etc. Off all the brain numbing forms of stress and pollution, noise is the toughest to exclude from our life. The physical harm caused by loud noise is widely acknowledged today. A study has also revealed that it is the noise that wears down our ears in later age, and not the time factor. Otherwise, the elders would also have a near-perfect hearing. But all sounds are not bad. There is evidence that certain sounds can help us feel better and work more efficiently. Music for example has a very pleasing effect on brain. But not all types of music and songs. It depends from person to person. Some like rock music, whereas others may like jazz, fast classical, slow classical or so. Now, even in the operation theaters the doctors prefer to have some light music during operation which serves as a soothing background both for the doctors and patients. Music seems to work by placing people in what is called the 'concert state' in which they are physically passive but mentally alert. When we are in the concert state, learning becomes a relaxed process, rather than an exercise in cramming facts into an unreceptive brain.

As regards effect of light on brain, studies have revealed that our bodies need to be exposed to full-spectrum light - not just the few parts of the spectrum radiated by most lamps - if we are to feel energetic and to perform our best. When ultraviolet rays fall on humans it enables the skin to synthesize vitamin D, and blue light is the most effect color for preventing jaundice, a condition that can cause brain damage in infants. Our mood and performance suffer when the doses of light are either too little or too irregular. Similarly, fresh air induces fresh thoughts and increases efficiency of the brain. Our brains have inbuilt natural internal clocks, which wake us each morning unless an alarm clock intervenes.

Then there are certain allergies which our minds have to something in the environment. Anything is capable of triggering an allergic reaction. Those reactions may be suppressed by increasing exposure to the allergen, with the result that a person becomes addicted to it.Many people with brain allergies may show behavioral inconsistence. They may be pleasant one moment and suddenly turn irritable, hostile and aggressive. Allergens in the workplace may be harder to control unless you own the company. Similarly, there may be certain foods to which brain may be allergic. There is a saying that one man's food is another man's poison. Therefore, same medicine cannot be given to all persons.