World Mental Health Day: How Family, Jiu-Jitsu and Fitness Help Me Reset

World Mental Health Day, on 10 October, is a reminder to make room for mental wellbeing alongside physical health. In this video, I share a personal reflection on the people and activities that help keep me grounded.

Surgery can be stressful, and so can life outside work. We cannot always change the circumstances around us. What we can sometimes change is how we respond, where we find support and whether we give ourselves time for the things that matter.

What keeps me grounded outside surgery?

My wife and daughter are at the centre of my life. They are my greatest source of strength and joy, and they remind me of what matters beyond the demands of work. That connection is the starting point of my reflection.

When I talk about looking after myself, I do not mean finding a perfect routine or removing every source of stress. I mean recognising the people who bring perspective to my life and making space to be with them.

Why do jiu-jitsu, weightlifting and music matter to me?

Brazilian jiu-jitsu, weightlifting and playing the guitar are activities I enjoy. Each helps bring me into the present moment. They offer time away from the concerns that can otherwise fill my thoughts, and they give me pleasure in their own right.

These are my interests, rather than a formula everyone needs to follow. Someone else might find that same sense of engagement in a walk, a creative hobby or time with friends. The useful question is which activities leave you feeling more connected to yourself and your life.

As a vascular surgeon, much of my professional work focuses on physical health. This personal video makes space for the other part of wellbeing: how we feel, what supports us and what we enjoy beyond our responsibilities.

How can we make space for what matters?

My message is simple: make time for what fills your cup. Protect some space for the people and activities that help you feel grounded, even when life is busy. Enjoyment does not have to be earned by reaching a particular fitness level or finishing every task.

Connection matters too. Spending time with family and friends can be a way of sharing both the good moments and the difficult ones. Sometimes looking after ourselves begins with acknowledging that we need support, rather than expecting ourselves to manage everything alone.

This is a personal reflection, not a treatment plan for a mental health condition. Hobbies and exercise do not replace professional support when it is needed. Asking for help is compatible with being capable, committed and strong.

What is my World Mental Health Day message?

Be kind to other people, and extend that kindness to yourself. Make time for what you enjoy. Stay close to the people who matter to you. Mental wellbeing deserves a place in everyday life, not only a mention on an awareness day.

You can read more about me and my work at Andrew Choong Vascular Surgery. My current vascular clinic is at Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre, #09-22, 38 Irrawaddy Road, Singapore 329563.

How I Tape My Fingers for Jiu-Jitsu

In Brazilian jiu-jitsu, our hands do a great deal of work. As a vascular surgeon and someone who enjoys time on the mats, I also need to look after the hands I use in the operating theatre.

This video shows the finger-taping pattern I use. I had wanted to share it for some time, and finding an angle that clearly showed the tape was part of the challenge. The demonstration is a practical look at my approach, rather than a treatment plan for an injured finger.

What does my taping pattern look like?

The pattern combines loops around the finger with diagonal strips across the joints. In the video, I take the tape around, cross the joint diagonally, then repeat the sequence. The crossing strips create a bracing pattern across two finger joints.

I also show the other side of the finger so the arrangement is easier to understand. Watching the video is more useful than trying to recreate the position from a written description alone.

The aim of sharing it is to show what I personally use for grappling. It is not a claim that this is the best method for every hand, every sport or every injury.

Can taping prevent a finger injury?

Tape may feel supportive, but it cannot make a finger injury-proof. The fact that a method feels useful to me is not proof that it prevents injury for everyone else. Good decisions about grips, training intensity and when to stop still matter.

There is also an important difference between taping an uninjured finger for training and treating a painful or damaged joint. An injury may need a different approach, and covering it with tape does not establish what is wrong.

If a finger is persistently painful or swollen, difficult to move, or visibly deformed after an injury, get it assessed. Do not use a tight wrap to force yourself through a session.

What should I check when using finger tape?

Comfort and circulation matter. Tape should not cause numbness, tingling, increasing pain or a change in colour. Remove it if those symptoms develop. A finger that remains numb, blue or unusually cold after removing the tape needs urgent assessment.

Being able to tolerate a wrap is not the same as being ready to train. If you are recovering from an injury, follow the advice specific to that injury rather than assuming a demonstration for grappling applies to your situation.

Why share a training video on a vascular surgery blog?

Jiu-jitsu is one of the activities I enjoy outside medicine. Sharing that part of my life offers a little context about the person behind the clinic, as well as a practical look at something fellow grapplers often discuss.

For me, the broader aim is to keep enjoying training over time. That means thinking about the hands doing the work, not only the next round. Train thoughtfully, look after yourself and enjoy your time on the mats.

You can learn more about me and my vascular surgery practice. My current clinic, Andrew Choong Vascular Surgery, is at Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre, #09-22, 38 Irrawaddy Road, Singapore 329563.