The new five-a-day recommendations.
Do five simple things a day to stay sane, say scientists - Times Online Connect Be active Be curious Learn Give
A “five-a-day” programme of social and personal activities can improve mental wellbeing, much as eating fruit and vegetables enhances physical health, according to Foresight, the government think-tank. Its Mental Capital and Wellbeing report, which was compiled by more than 400 scientists, proposes a campaign modelled on the nutrition initiative, to encourage behaviour that will make people feel better about themselves.
Developing relationships with family, friends, colleagues and neighbours will
enrich your life and bring you support
Sports, hobbies such as gardening or dancing, or just a daily stroll will make
you feel good and maintain mobility and fitness
Noting the beauty of everyday moments as well as the unusual and reflecting on
them helps you to appreciate what matters to you
Fixing a bike, learning an instrument, cooking – the challenge and
satisfaction brings fun and confidence
Helping friends and strangers links your happiness to a wider community and is
very rewarding
Critics of the recommendation said that the Government and health professionals ought not to be prescribing individual behaviour in this way. “The implication is that if you don’t do these banal things, you could get seriously mentally ill,..."
Five-a-day fruit, three-a-day cereals, or is that five-a-day carbs? I'm lost already in the "recommendations" that are being pushed at us. I'm assuming if you fail to satisfy the triage nurse you have been following them then the chances of being allowed to see a doctor are "reduced" in our brave new world. But even in my most satirical moments never did I think I would see a five-a-day for thinking happy thoughts and helping little old ladies across the road. Traa-la-la-la what happy bunnies we must all be.
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the electrodes to Jacqui Smith MP and shock her until bodliy fluids are weeping from every orifice. Repeat.
Be active
Dance on Karl Marx's grave
Be curious
Why don't they just STFU and leave us alone?
Learn
to shoot, it may come in handy if you don't have any rope handling skills
Give
Gordon Brown a good shoeing. Again, repeat as necessary.
Posted by: nbc | October 22, 2008 10:38 AM
Notably absent from the list of daily "to-do stuff" is: "Hang a Socialist."
Well, that would keep ME healthy and cheerful.
Posted by: Kim du Toit | October 22, 2008 3:03 PM
They missed out 'emigrate to a free country that isn't run by Stalinist fuckwits'...
Posted by: Mac the Knife | October 22, 2008 8:26 PM
Truly is this socialistic? Sounds like the typical pathology of organizations.
The confusion of public relations with actual service seems to proliferate universally. Just try getting satisfaction from any company having more than 10 employees -- like the wireless company -- you'll find they have plenty of cheery twits to speak to you in soothing tones, but lacking the wherewithal to actually fulfill simple concrete requests, short of billing you.
I suspect the same goes for the health bureaucracy. Plenty of money for happy think tank reports and slick brochures. Just don't try to extract health care from them when they are enthusing about their master plans.
Posted by: Invisible Eye | October 27, 2008 10:01 PM