Thursday, April 30, 2009

Mental Health Defined

It is the successful performance of mental functions, in terms of thought, emotion, and behaviour that results in productive activities, fulfilling relationships with others, and the ability to adapt to change and cope with adversity.
Mental Health: A report of the Surgeon General

AS A MAN THINKS...

Great leaders don't use people so they can win. They lead people so that they all can win together.
John Maxwell

Every human has a seed of greatness buried in a gift needed by the world.
Myles Munroe

Bosses lord it over the people beneath them...be different...if you truly desire to lead, then you must learn to serve.
J.J(Jesus [the Christ] Joseph)

8 Steps To a Happier life

I once had the opportunity to ask an almost 70years old man who had been married 5 times why he had done that? He wasn’t really polygamous because he married them one after the other and never had two wives at any point in time. His reply was that in all these relationships he was looking for happiness.
Psychologist Michael Fordyce reports, “When I ask people, ’What’s the most important thing in life?’ about half of them immediately say, ’Happiness’ ”.
The pursuit of happiness is integral to living and many researches have been done and theories put forward to explain the concept of happiness. Michael Fordyce has translated the results of empirical and theoretical studies into a practical programme which is aimed at bringing more happiness into ones life.


Happiness is within reach, but it requires some level of work in these 8 simple steps:
1. Spend time with your loved ones.
Of all the characteristics and circumstances that happy people share, loving relationships stands out.
2. Seek challenging, meaningful work.
If love is the first priority, work is the second; happy people work hard and enjoy what they do. If your current job or your course in the university is not rewarding, then consider switching to one that is.
3. Be helpful to others.
Doing good enhances self-esteem and relieves stress.
4. Make time for activities that you enjoy.
Most people waste a lot of time doing things that leave them feeling empty or bored. Decide what makes you happy and do it.
5. Keep fit
Run, bike, swim, play a sport, dance. No one knows exactly why aerobics increases subjective well-being, but there is abundant evidence that it does.
6. Be organized but flexible.
Planning ahead is important (especially if you include plans for fun), but your life should not be so tightly scheduled that you cannot spontaneously try something different. People who seek new experiences are happier than people who stick to the “tried and true.”
7. Think positively.
If you expect good things to happen, you generally will get what you are looking for (and vice versa).
8. Keep things in perspective.
Everyone has emotional highs and lows, but try to stay on an even keel as much as possible.

A wise man once said “progress can be programmed” so take these steps and enjoy a happier life.

A MANIC'S PRAYER...lol

Lord, help me to relax about insignificant details, beginning tomorrow at 7:41:23 a.m. EST. God, help me to consider people's feelings, even if most of them ARE hypersensitive. God, help me to take responsibility for my own actions, even though they are usually NOT my fault. God, help me not to try to RUN everything, but if You need some help, please feel free to ASK ME! Lord, help me to be more laid back, and help me to do it EXACTLY RIGHT.
Dear God, please help me to take things more seriously, especially laughter, parties and dancing. God, give me patience, and I mean NOW! Lord, help me not be a perfectionist. (Did I write that correctly?) God, help me to finish everything that I sta. . . Amen

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

what is it about 3rd mainland bridge?!?

Just yesterday a man called in to one of my favourite radio show saying that he had to stop on third mainland bridge to stop one young man(early twenties) from jumping into the sea. His problem...things are tough in the country. This caller was informed by a bike(Okada) man that about 4 days ago another young man had jumped in. The annoying part was that I remember that someone told me that he had left Benin in Edo state and travelled all the way to Lagos with the intention of jumping off the same bridge while he was severely depressed. He actually made the journey got to the bridge but by some divine intervention...he didn't do it. Wouldn't it have been more cost effective to just find somewhere in Benin to carry this act...just kidding.
Any way, let's not wave it aside, get informed. Suicide used to be said to be a white man's problem. Read up my various articles on depression from the archive of the month of February, it may just be of help to you or someone you know.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Welcome to April even though we are midway through. I did not finish my intended discussion on 'How to cope with a loved one with mental illness' but I will do just that this month. By the way if you happen to live in Lagos, Nigeria, I'll like you to grab a copy of this month's and last month's edition of Genevieve magazine and check out my articles on '8 steps to a happier life' and 'stress and the city' respectively. I think you will love it.
Meanwhile stay locked on to this blog and spread the word about this blog that promotes mental health(soundness); discussing psychiatric and psychological issues in a simple way. Also become a follower of this blog that way you can be alerted any time I update the blog. Cheers
PDoc