Is Mind Blanking Dangerous?

Cynthia McKanzie – MessageToEagle.com – You have most likely experienced mind blanking, most people have. It’s one of those slightly embarrassing moments when you are in the middle of a sentence and suddenly your mind just goes away.

Mind blanking is defined by a lack of conscious awareness. It can last a couple of seconds or in worst case much longer. Why does your mind go blank and is there a way to prevent this condition? Is mind blanking dangerous?

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Difference Between Mind Blanking And Mind Wandering

For a start we can say that everyone can experience mind blanking. According to researchers Adrian F. Ward and Daniel M. Wegner, from the Department of Psychology, Harvard University mind blanking “may represent an extreme decoupling of perception and attention, one in which attention fails to bring any stimuli into conscious awareness.”

There is a difference mind blanking and mind wandering. Mind wandering is when your thoughts are not remaining on a single topic. This often happens when you are performing an attention-demanding task for a longer period of time. Say for example you are driving a car for hours, then it eventually happens your thoughts are somewhere else and you’re no longer focusing on your driving. Needless to say, that in such cases, mind wandering can be dangerous and lead to a car accident.

Mind blanking is much different and gives an uncanny feeling of confusion. You feel helpless because, suddenly without warning your mind slips and goes blank.

What Causes Mind Blanking?

Researchers have tried to determine what causes mind blanking and there several factors contributing to this unpleasant condition.

In most cases, the answers to mind blanking should be sought in your social environment, physical condition and mental state of mind. Stress, lack of sleep, anxiety can all separately or combined lead to mind blanking. If you must hold an important speech, you can be nervous and feel pressure. It’s not unusual that mind blanking come during such moments. Our modern life is often hectic, and we sometimes feel overwhelmed and exhausted. Occasionally our brain begs us to stop but we continue because there is so much to do. When there is a brain overload, the mind simply “stops”, like it’s taking a short rest. Problems and stress can cause not only gray hair, but also mind blanking.

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More About Mind And Brain

Your medication can give you side effects that you’re are unaware of. This can also lead to mind blinking, and so can changes in blood sugar levels.

As we discussed in our previous article, when we get older, it’s important to keep our brain healthy and there are several things we can to stay focused, increase memory and stay alert.

If you’re experiencing mind blanking often, it can be the first signs of a disease, like Alzheimer’s. It’s vital to regularly undergo health control, so don’t ignore such signs. On the other hand, mind blanking often happens because you put too much pressure on yourself. Most mind blanking cases don’t cause any long-term problems.  They are simply a result of  abnormal brain activity.

There are methods to avoid this unpleasant condition. Simple try and relax and don’t take life too seriously.

Written by Cynthia McKanzie – MessageToEagle.com Staff Writer

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