Mind of Mary

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Month: June 2016

June 19, 2016July 8, 2016MindOfMary

Happy Father’s Day to Single Mums | A doodle

June 9, 2016July 8, 2016MindOfMary

Ramadan and Mental Illness: a doodle

June 5, 2016July 8, 2016MindOfMary

Doodled Tips for Surviving Ramadan.

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Last Wednesday, I came to you guys with a story about the hippocampus, a region involved in knowing where you are in space. Today, I’m answering @cards_for_good ‘s brain question; what are the effects of sleep on the brain? So, I come to you with the amygdala and why a lack of good sleep can make you feel a little like an irritable squirrel. Out of all the brain structures, I think the little amygdala - a small almond-shaped structure - is probably my favourite. It may be tiny but it’s packed full of character and can be turned up and down (regulated) by different regions of the cortex (the outermost layer of the brain). The amygdala is in the inner centre of the brain (part of the limbic system) and is a structure conserved with most other animals. It tells us when we feel happy, scared, sad, angry, and it also plays a massive role in memory and survival. When you don’t get enough quality sleep, it’s been found that the connection between the amygdala (emotions centre) and the medial prefrontal cortex (more rational region) weaken, leaving us to overreact a little towards usually very simple things. So make sure you’re not guzzling down the caffeine in replacement of a good night’s sleep! Do you have a question you want answering about the brain? Please leave them down in the comments below and I’ll do my best to get through them! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #igers #instagood #instadaily #bookish #neuroscience #bookstagram #randomactsofkindness #writerscommunity #comic #l4l #girl #life #happy #love #artistsofinstagram #beautiful #art #colour #cute #picoftheday #Illustrator #hijabi #brains #colourful #London #travel #doodle #selflove #mentalhealthawareness#igers #instagood #instadaily #bookish #neuroscience #bookstagram #randomactsofkindness #writerscommunity #comic #l4l #girl #life #happy #love #artistsofinstagram #beautiful #art #colour #cute #picoftheday #Illustrator #hijabi #brains #colourful #London #travel #doodle #selflove #mentalhealthawareness
Hello m’dears :) what’s a better way to spend your Wednesday evening than learning a little about your beautiful brain? That’s right; several things. However, today I thought I’d give you guys something a little different. So maybe most of you know me as Mary, the illustrator, but that’s just my night job... by day, however, I’m a neurobiology/neuroscience PhD student (the zombies of academia). When it comes to brains, I’m just a bit of a nerd and so I thought to share all the cool things about it with you guys too (and maybe even answer any of your questions!). This week, your brain post is about a cool structure called the Hippocampus... it’s responsible for a whole load of neat things, but one of its jobs is to figure out where you are in your environment (London taxi drivers have bigger hippocampi than the rest of us!). Professor John O’Keefe (who won the Nobel prize for physiology or medicine in 2014) was first to discover the cells that help you do this... then he called them ‘place cells’. And, since his discovery in 1971, many other research groups continue to look for (and find) much more! Do you guys have any questions about your brain that you want answered? If so, please leave them down in the comments below (or message me) and I’ll do my very best ☺️ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #igers #instagood #instadaily #bookish #neuroscience #bookstagram #randomactsofkindness #writerscommunity #comic #l4l #girl #life #happy #love #artistsofinstagram #beautiful #art #colour #cute #picoftheday #Illustrator #hijabi #brains #colourful #London #travel #doodle #selflove #mentalhealthawareness
One of the most destructive things you can do when faced with a new challenge is to not attempt it at all. This can be because you don't believe you have the skill set needed to succeed at it or at least get by. This puts us in places of self disbelief and underestimation and the chances of progression from thereonwards lessen. The reality of the situation might be that; no, you don't currently have the skills or confidence needed to take on this challenge, but there is nothing stopping you from going out of your way to get them. Too often, I've personally been told that I can't do something because I am "just" a girl; but girls are brave. Girls are intelligent and sometimes a little genius kind of weird. And girls are able to do anything if they put their mind to it. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Note: a little throwback post to the time I did a bit of work for the lovely people at @projectactiveucl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #igers #instagood #instadaily #bookish #friendships #bookstagram #randomactsofkindness #writerscommunity #comic #l4l #girl #life #happy #love #artistsofinstagram #beautiful #art #colour #cute #picoftheday #Illustrator #hijabi #girlswhodraw #colourful #London #travel #doodle #selflove #mentalhealthawareness
In the spirit of the rainy weekend we've had in London, I thought to share this with you guys :) A small note on some of the things I've been thinking about lately, especially that of 'patience'. I think, in our world of fast technologies, demanding careers and generally busy lives, we grow used to not having to need patience. And so, when we face difficulties in our lives, we're often left frustrated that we're not able to fix them right away; we're unable to deal with the fact that 'healing' takes time. Another facet of patience is that idea of faith/belief that your situation will improve. Holding onto the anxiety of a hopeless future after facing a difficulty is tough to deal with. However, accepting that the future promises both painful experiences but also joyful ones is key here. To pull everything in, it's patience, acceptance and faith in a better time ahead that helps us heal. Storms will pass, better days will come, being vulnerable and making ourselves susceptible to being hurt again is inevitable but you will get through it. Just as you have done before. ❤❤ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #igers #instagood #instadaily #bookish #friendships #bookstagram #randomactsofkindness #writerscommunity #comic #l4l #girl #life #happy #love #artistsofinstagram #beautiful #art #colour #cute #picoftheday #Illustrator #hijabi #girlswhodraw #colourful #London #travel #doodle #selflove #mentalhealthawareness
Hello m'loves, sorry for the radio silence that seems to have hit us over the last two weeks. During this time, I realise a lot of us are probably hiding out in little shells we made out of our blankets/comforters and crisp packets... that a lot of us probably need a couple of self-care reminders. So, look no further, here they are, just for you. When it comes to periods of dealing with hurt or difficulties, remember to give yourself a little empathy; tell yourself that you're dealing with a lot and that every baby step forward also counts as a massive achievement. (Because it does). Then comes the pep talk; tell yourself that you're going to get through this and really believe it. Time, understanding and kindness heals most wounds - and, with the ones you can't heal on your own, be sure to ask for some help ^^. Finally, we have compassion; tell yourself that, despite what 'the voices in your head' are telling you, you really are worthy of love. Don't give up, never give in. You're going to get through this. You are loved. You are strong. This too shall pass. 🐰🐱🐺🐸🐥🐶 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #igers #instagood #instadaily #bookish #friendships #bookstagram #randomactsofkindness #writerscommunity #comic #l4l #girl #life #happy #love #artistsofinstagram #beautiful #art #colour #cute #picoftheday #Illustrator #hijabi #girlswhodraw #colourful #London #travel #doodle #selflove #mentalhealthawareness
I had a conversation a couple of years ago with a friend about the concept of lighthouses; how they're there to pull lost sailors out of the darkness and guide them to safety. And, further, how we can find lighthouses in the people around us and also be lighthouses for others. I don't believe in there being just one single form of love. There is no one way to love people; it comes in all colours, shades and forms. And, when we ourselves get lost out at sea and need someone to guide us home, we turn to love's purest kind; unconditional. Needing someone in dark times isn't shameful or weak; it's human. In the same way, being there for someone through their moments of need isn't 'soft'; it's human. At the end of the day, despite our differences, we only really have each other; something money can never buy. Spreading love is never a sin, and accepting love is never a burden. Thank you to my own lighthouses. <3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #igers #instagood #instadaily #bookish #friendships #bookstagram #randomactsofkindness #writerscommunity #comic #l4l #girl #life #happy #love #artistsofinstagram #beautiful #art #colour #cute #picoftheday #Illustrator #hijabi #girlswhodraw #colourful #London #travel #doodle #selflove #mentalhealthawareness

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  • Ramadan and Mental Illness: What can I do to help?
  • Giving Makes the World Go Round
  • Ways to Look After Your Mental Health Whilst at University
  • Happy Father’s Day to Single Mums | A doodle
  • Ramadan and Mental Illness: a doodle

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