The Brain Manual

Break a leg, burn your hand or cut your finger and the injury is obvious. They're the equivalent of a flat tyre - an easily observed fault. Problems under the bonnet are trickier to deal with. So it is with the human body - the workings inside the head are often beyond comprehension. Fortunately, you don't have to be a brain surgeon or a rocket scientist to undertake simple maintenance of your mental faculties. But you do need a manual to follow - the new Brain Manual from Haynes.

Haynes publishes all sorts of manuals - on cars, motorcycles, computers, men, women and babies. Written by Dr Ian Banks, author of the NHS Direct Health Care Guide, a frequent broadcaster, President of the European Men's Health Forum and a practising casualty doctor, the Brain Manual emphasises positive steps to improved mental well-being. There are tips for healthy eating and an explanation of the biophilia effect (why getting close to nature makes us feel better). Relationships and stress are covered as is the effect of ageing on the brain. Brain malfunctions and disorders are explained - with information about how to avoid them or how to cope with their effects. Functional problems, such as the effects of a stroke, are also included. And there's a useful guide to the likely effects of alcohol and other recreational drugs.

Of course, many people prefer to ignore what is happening 'under the bonnet' but they are dismissing a serious problem. Nearly 13 million working days were lost to stress-related illness in 2004. Some of the causes of stress are not obvious - deaths from heart attack or stroke increase significantly on the day of a big football match for instance. And the World Cup kicks off in June.

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Some of the many "fact or fiction?" questions answered in the Brain Manual:

All brains start life as girl brains.
True! The default brain in the developing foetus is female.

People can hear colour.
Strange as this may sound, it is fact. Approximately 1 in 25,000 people have this condition called synaesthesia - meaning joined sensation.

Humans only use 10% of their brains.
This is a popular myth but false.

Haynes is the world's foremost publisher of automotive repair manuals and renowned for teaching millions of car owners how to carry out routine maintenance and repairs. Haynes publishes manuals for more than 500 cars and vans as well as useful glovebox guides such as Your Car and family manuals such as the Man Manual, the Woman Manual, the Baby Manual, the Sex Manual, the Cancer Manual and the HGV Man Manual.

Notes to Editors:

National Men's Health Week (NMHW) is 12-18 June,

with mental wellbeing being the focus this year - Mind Your Head is the slogan. NMHW is one week before the start of the football World Cup and the Football Association is involved with the promotion. For further details regarding National Men's Health Week, please contact Rachel Powell at Consolidated PR on 020 7287 2087

When things are getting you down or winding you up, it really can help you feel better if you can find someone you trust and get things off your chest

Over 40 prestigious charities and organisations are involved with the collaboration of the Haynes Brain Manual, including: The FA, Department of Health, Royal Mail, Alzheimer's Society, Samaritans, Stroke Association, Age Concern and BIVDA.

The information above is supplied courtesy of Haynes Publishing, please credit accordingly if you intend to use it. For further information, please contact Rebecca Nicholls on Tel: 01452 260063 or email: pr@haynes.co.uk

Dr Ian Banks is available for interview