Vanuatu – Damon Ashworth Psychology

Is Vanuatu the Happiest Country in the World?

The latest Happy Planet Index puts Vanuatu second in the world in terms of sustainable well-being. To determine a country’s score on the Happy Planet Index, they look at a country’s well-being, multiplied by their life expectancy and then divided by their ecological footprint. The only country with a better Happy Planet Index score isContinue reading “Is Vanuatu the Happiest Country in the World?”

Feeling Fatigued? What Would Happen if We Worked Less?

However you decide to manage your workload, please understand that working long hours without regular breaks is not sustainable. We can address this by working fewer hours in a day or fewer days in a week. Or we can merely get up from the desk and walk around a bit more when you notice that your productivity and energy levels are dropping. Getting outside for lunch and away from screens can also help.

Our Environment Makes More of a Difference to Our Health and Mental State Than We Realise

It’s been over 9 months since I moved to Vanuatu to volunteer as a Clinical Psychologist with the Port Vila Central Hospital and the Vanuatu Government’s Ministry of Health. That means that I am over a third of the way through my volunteer experience. The first 1–2 months were challenging and a little overwhelming withContinue reading “Our Environment Makes More of a Difference to Our Health and Mental State Than We Realise”

The Importance of Sleep for Good Mental Health

Sleep difficulties are a feature of nearly every mental health difficulty, including depression, anxiety, trauma, substance use issues, bipolar disorder and psychosis or schizophrenia. Take Depression for example. Up to 90% of individuals with Depression have sleep difficulties, and two out of every three have significant enough sleep problems to also have a diagnosis ofContinue reading “The Importance of Sleep for Good Mental Health”

Why Bother Overcoming Fears?

Last weekend I managed to complete my PADI Open Water SCUBA Diver Course: PADI Temporary Card Open Water Diver Name: Damon K. Ashworth Diver No.: 1902AA8575 Cert Date: 16-Feb-2019 Instructor Number: 305944 Store/Resort Name: Big Blue Store Number: 36279 This person has satisfactorily met the standards for this certification level as set forth by PADI.Continue reading “Why Bother Overcoming Fears?”