How to Avoid a Nervous Breakdown

Dr. Karl Menninger was asked, "What would you advise a person to do if he felt a nervous breakdown coming on?" Most people expected him to reply, "Consult a psychiatrist," because that was his profession. Instead, Menninger replied, "Lock up your house, go across the railway tracks, find someone in need, and do something to help that person. Generous people are rarely mentally ill people."

Thanksgiving and Christmas are special holidays to Christians. They are a time to remember what God has done for us and to thank him for His blessings. They are also a time for us to give to others. You may have a tradition of giving to family members at Christmas, just as our family does. But we can also give in various ways to those outside our families.

Giving of our time and resources to help someone else in need, is not only Christ-like and pleasing to God, it is also good for us! When we help another person, we take the focus off of ourselves and our own problems. That reminds us of how blessed we are.

If you want to stay mentally healthy, and if you want to be like Jesus, be a generous person. There are needs all around us.