Having practised as a Psychiatrist in the UK for 24 years, I recently moved to UAE. I had always felt fascinated by the Middle East, and my dream of living here has finally come to fruition.

I have felt very welcomed since the day when I arrived here 6 months ago, and I respect and admire this way of life. Family values have always been at the core of my practice, because I grew up in an environment where family was the fundamental pillar of society. It allows me to integrate the individualism within the collectivism, and hence to understand the individual within the family. This enhances the sense of belonging which is, no doubt, a protective factor when it comes to mental health difficulties.

This is the first of a series of blogs in which I will write about different relevant topics, ranging from the detection and treatment of specific conditions, lifestyle matters, history, sociology, philosophy, spirituality, and many other subjects. Each aspect of our life can contribute to our wellbeing; leisure activities cannot be disregarded, as a holistic approach is necessary to maintain good health and prevent problems.

There are times in life when we feel that everything is meaningless and that no matter what, there is no point in doing anything because nothing is going to change the way we feel. During those dark periods, it is particularly relevant to do nice things, even if they do not make any sense for us at the time. It is an investment whose benefits can be harvested later on, and only then we realise. Many of us have experienced it, and it is, during the periods of bigger need, when we find it most difficult to seek help. Getting to know ourselves, knowing what we enjoy when we are well, knowing what make us feel happy and putting it into practice, is the best preventative strategy.