DUBAI, 11 April 2008 — A Saudi expert has called upon individuals to adopt new lifestyle patterns to maintain healthy mental capabilities and avoid aging of the body and soul.

University professor Abdullah Almufleh argues that a balanced planning for life helps avoid negative effects on mind and soul, while improving physical health.

According to Almufleh, there is a clear connection between negative behavior in dealing with aging and individual behavioral patterns that can lead to mental aging. For example, pessimistic thinking, repeated complaining, luck-dependence, negative dialogue and objecting to 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 organized across the UAE as part of preparations for Abu Dhabi International Aging Conference 2008, which will be held at Emirates Palace and chaired by Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, chairperson of the Family Development Foundation and chairperson of the General Women Association.

During the workshops, Almufleh advised individuals to adopt a new 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’s indeed important to recognize your goals, study them and make them measurable, achievable and realistic.”

Almufleh’s training program 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.