Features
Emotional bypass surgery – Part 3
The information presented should serve as a benchmark for professionals in Neurosciences, and all others who would want to understand how the human nervous system operates.
Like any other great challenge, neuroscience should be, and is, full of debate, dissension, and considerable fun. We always think of going into the shower two or three times a day, change our clothes, underpants, buy luxury cars, live in comfortable architectural edifices, etc.
Is nourishing our brain and mental faculty not our priority? How many times do we think of doing something special to develop, protect and unwind the brain after stretching and subjecting it through intense pressure and brain storming during the state of wakefulness?
We task our brain heavily everyday without offering this three-pound organ any compensation. Are we that ungrateful…? Has anyone thought of eating any special meal to defend, protect and nourish the human brain in any given day?
The human body is always fighting for its freedom in all spheres of healthy existence and total survival because of the junk food that we consume everyday especially the poisonous oils that we cook with.
The brain will never grant you peace of mind to live comfortably unless you have given it enough food and high quality sleep number of eight hours. High quality sleep plays a major role in the survival of all our organs and longevity.
A certain quantum of insanity sets in when we do not get enough high quality sleep. Then the wrong decisions are implemented because the brain has sensed danger and all the organs start to misbehave with the heart and the nerves playing a major role. Diseases set in slowly and get to the titanic stage pretty shortly or later on in life and kills before nature’s stipulated time for one to exit gate of existence. We do not die but we kill ourselves through our lifestyle. Do not forget that you are your own first and last doctor.
Cognitive function and creative intelligence
Emotional Surgery is very skillfully conceptualised, very beautiful combination of 980 trillion plus colours and imagery- a representation of natural phenomena in a way that is unnatural.
The combination of trillions of colours- the schemes and all the concepts that come with it speak to the neurons of the human brain to rectify or remedy a condition. It is a time for conserving secret energy and infinitely complex, profoundly more interesting and alarmingly more health relevant –benefits that service both our executive brains and our bodies.
There does not seem to be one major organ within the human body, or process within the brain, that is not optimally enhanced by Emotional Surgery and detrimentally impaired when we do not get enough.
It is not just an absence of wakefulness; rather, it is the product of active processes involving the brainstem “ascending reticular activating system” that regulates the level of activation of the brain.
Irreversible coma (permanent loss of consciousness) resulting from severe head injury is associated with extensive damage to the cerebral cortex, midbrain reticular formation, or both.
Within the brain Emotional Surgery enriches a diversity of functions, including our ability to focus, learn, memorise and make logical decisions and choices.
By Robert Ekow Grimmon-Thompson
Features
Emotional distortions: The hidden barriers to mental well-being
Emotional distortions are twisted or irrational thought patterns that can have a profound impact on our mental health and well-being.
These distortions can lead to negative emotions, unhealthy behaviours, and strained relationships.
In this article, we will explore the types, causes, and consequences of emotional distortions, as well as strategies for overcoming them.
Types of Emotional Distortions
1. All-or-Nothing Thinking: Seeing things in absolute terms.
2. Catastrophising: Exaggerating potential consequences.
3. Over generalisation: Making sweeping conclusions based on limited evidence.
4. Mind Reading: Assuming others’ thoughts or intentions.
5. Emotional Reasoning: Believing emotions reflect reality.
6. Should Statements: Imposing unrealistic expectations.
7. Labelling: Assigning negative labels to oneself or others.
8. Personalisation: Taking things too personally.
Causes of emotional distortions
1. Childhood experiences
2. Trauma
3. Stress
4. Social learning
5. Cultural influences
6. Genetic predisposition
Consequences of emotional distortions
1. Anxiety and depression
2. Relationship conflicts
3. Low self-esteem
4. Impaired decision-making
5. Substance abuse
6. Physical health problems
Overcoming emotional distortions
1. Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Identifying and challenging distortions.
2. Mindfulness: Practising self-awareness.
3. Self-Reflection: Examining thought patterns.
4. Journaling: Recording and analysing thoughts.
5. Seeking support: Consulting therapists or support groups.
Strategies for Maintaining Mental Well-being
1. Practice self-compassion.
2. Engage in physical activity.
3. Cultivate social connections.
4. Prioritise sleep and nutrition.
5. Seek professional help when needed.
Conclusion
Emotional distortions can have a profound impact on mental health, but they can be overcome. By recognising and challenging these distortions, individuals can develop healthier thought patterns, improve relationships, and enhance overall well-being.
_References_
– Beck, A. T. (1977). Cognitive Behavior Therapy.
– Burns, D. D. (1999). The Feeling Good Handbook.
– American Psychological Association. (2022). Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy.
By Robert Ekow Grimmond-Thompson
Features
Where are we rushing to?
Sometimes you wonder what is going on especially the period before Christmas, in terms of the road incidents.
Yesterday, heading towards town, on my way to lay a wreath on my late wife’s grave, on the anniversary of her burial, I saw cars ahead of me suddenly indicating that they want to move into the middle lane from the inner lane.
I then saw, as I inched along, the reason for moving into the middle lane. Apparently an Uber vehicle had hit the side of a Mercedes Benz car and they were arguing and trying to sort things out.
It was apparent that the cause of the incident was due to rushing to get ahead of the Benz. A few moments of patience from both drivers could have avoided that incident.
It just does not make sense that you are in so much of a hurry that you could not let reason prevail for one of you to exercise restraint, to allow the other vehicle to pass and now both of you are wasting precious time on the road, the very thing you were trying to avoid in the first place.
There is another aspect that is related to this rushing that has to be addressed. People are no longer willing to show empathy with others, such that for a driver to pause for another driver to pass to join the traffic or to cross to the other lane is becoming non-existent these days.
We seem to be selfish in most cases which then causes drivers to rush to join the traffic after waiting and waiting without any one giving him or her the opportunity to move to join the traffic. I was tempted to be callous by ignoring vehicles that wanted to cross from my right to join the opposite traffic coming from the Ghana Law School entrance toward Tema Station, earlier this week due to the behaviour of some drivers toward me.
However, I remembered that I was a Christian and a higher standard of empathy is required of me, so I paused for them to cross from the exit point of the filling station to join the traffic going in the opposite direction.
I nearly knocked down two people earlier this week due to their lack of safety I suppose or is it a lack of focus on the streets. I think safety education needs to be intensified because of what happened on Monday.
How on earth would anyone attempt to cross a road, in front of a vehicle when a traffic light has just shown green? It really beats my imagination but that was exactly what happened and how I did not kill her, is attributable only to divine intervention.
Shortly before this incident, I had narrowly avoided hitting another person, who also crossed in front of me when I was about to join a main road with traffic coming from my left side so I was focused on my left side.
A vehicle was ahead of me and so was waiting to move as soon as it moves. The vehicle moved and just as I was about to follow, this young lady just showed up at my right fender and again I would say it was only by divine intervention that she escaped either serious injury or even death.
The level of selfish considerations in the country is becoming alarming by the day and it is something that must be addressed. The normal Ghanaian attitude of tolerance towards each other is now gradually vanishing from our society and is very worrying.
People are becoming much more inward looking and if something is not going to benefit him or her, they are just not interested. There are a few people who still do what is right and they should be commended to continue the good works.
My advice to my fellow Ghanaians is that, let us stop this rushing when we are driving especially as Christmas is approaching so we can save ourselves from avoidable incidents. God bless.
By Laud Kissi-Mensah