Health Essentials
An energy crisis that has nothing to do with oil
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Sleep is important for one’s mental health
“Doctor, I am so tired. I still feel drained even after a 10-hour sleep.”
“I feel lonely, unappreciated and extremely tired. Help me doctor.” These are two of the numerous examples that clients complain of on a daily basis.
We are in “an energy crisis that has nothing to do with oil and gas” and unless we learn to take the necessary breaks and make minor adjustments to our way of life, we are heading for a generation that has burnt-out high achievers.
Deep, adequate sleep is an extremely powerful life-changing natural phenomenon that many people trample upon. If you had to make a single change to your life to grow healthier, I will suggest you sleep more if you sleep less than seven or eight hours a day.
Yes, napping also has an energising role in our health quest. Rest is such a broad and grey area and it appears sleep is only part of the whole enigma of REST. Now you will understand why an evening with family or friends out of home after a tiring week invigorates you.
Also there must be some magic spending time by the seaside even if you don’t sleep. How about playing music with friends? Rest is much more than sleep and though sleep is extremely important all the other forms of rest do matter as well.
A LOOK AT THE 7 TYPES OF REST
1. PHYSICAL REST
a. We all know that feeling when you just want the body to take a break. It turns out physical rest can be broken down into two:
i. Passive Rest ; lying down, sleeping, napping
ii. Active Rest; yoga, massage, stretching etc.
2. MENTAL REST
Typically one feels irritable, forgetful and unable to concentrate at work etc. May get eight hours of sleep yet feels horrible. This may be tell-tale signs that you need mental rest
How to fix this;
– Switch off your brain. Take short breaks every two hour, talk about or write down your feelings so you are not carrying them around
3. SENSORY REST
With the noise all around, bright lights, screen time and a host of others, our senses feel overwhelmed.
How to fix this;
– Simply close your eyes for a minute
– Unplug intentionally; Take a break from computers, phones, bright lights, noise and conversations
4. CREATIVE REST
It is important to awaken the excitement deep within us. The glitter in our eyes. That is another realm of rest.
How to fix this;
• Walk in a beautiful place in nature, watch a movie, play a musical instrument, garden or do art. The good news is you do not even need to be good at it.
5. EMOTIONAL REST
Often we are unable to say NO when that is exactly what is needed. We accept additional engagements only to sit in our corner later and feel lonely and unappreciated.
How to fix this;
• Cut back on people-pleasing “adventures”
• Create time to freely express your feelings and emotions. “ME-TIME” and SELFCARE can’t be over emphasised
6. SOCIAL REST
It is rare to find someone who needs emotional rest but has no social rest deficit. They often come as a ‘couple.’ We need to be able to differentiate between relationships that energise us and those that drain all we have.
How to fix this;
• Surround yourself with supportive and positive people, rather than people that exhaust you.
• Engage in conversation and stay focused. Paying attention does wonders to our brain
7. SPIRITUAL REST
We all need to rely on the power of a superior being and for me it is GOD! We need that sense of belonging (child of God), love and a purpose. That gives us the needed rest
How to fix this;
• Prayer
• Praise and worship to The Almighty
• Meditation
• Service to the community
My advice is let us put all these into practice as often as possible. Every day is possible. Do not wait till you are too tired or feel totally broken before you search for these tips. The time is now and remember SLEEP is supreme but we need the other forms of rest to be complete. Seek professional medical care if you continue to feel “unrested”.
As always laugh often, ensure hygiene, walk and pray every day and remember it’s a priceless gift to know your numbers (blood sugar, blood pressure, blood cholesterol, BMI)
Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel
Health Essentials Ltd/Mobissel
(www.healthessentialsgh.com)
*Dr. Essel is a medical doctor with a keen interest in Lifestyle Medicine. He holds an MBA and is ISSA certified in exercise therapy, fitness nutrition and corrective exercise. He is the author of the award-winning book, ‘Unravelling the Essentials of Health & Wealth.’
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK – “Whatever you practise grows stronger, what are you practising now?”
References:
1. Saundra Dalton-Smith, MD – ideas. ted.com
Sleep is important for one’s mental health
By Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel
These last few months of 2026, I am embarking on a new journey. Over the past several months I have tried out some aspects of my “new way of life” but not in the manner I am doing now and I am sure you are doing same too. Draft your own points based on what is important to you and let us begin the journey together. It is never too late.
Many of the things I am working on now are guided by years of interaction with different people, what may be my purpose in my opinion, great family and friends and the type of wisdom that comes only with years.
- Self-Care
Quite often we try to take care of everything and everyone without ensuring we are appropriately “charged”. There is nothing to give out if you are empty. Self-care is NOT a luxury and it has taken me years to appreciate this;
- I will add a new hobby I have been toying with.
- Surrounding myself with like-minded people who energise me, make me laugh and be the best version of myself. Building Social capital pays.
- I am spending quality time with God daily
- Spending time in nature is key and I ensure that I take much needed breaks
- Spending a few minutes a day to meditate, exercise and spoil myself sometimes
- I will have some hours each day that will be blocked out as “no phone time”
- Keeping a Goal Diary
Many people have described ways of putting down your goals and seeing them happen. My coach taught me the power of VISUALISATION but over the years I went off that golden path. It’s time to get back. This is what I am doing now;
- In a diary I am writing everything I want to be or do as long as I have breath. No pressure.
- I am writing in the present tense; “I am spending an amazing week in a 7-Star resort with the people I love the most”
- I will look at this list everyday
- Start a Gratitude Bank
I listened to this recently and though it was not referred to as a Gratitude Bank, I believe that is exactly what it is
- I picked a diary to write in but others choose a transparent container to drop in written points. Choose what you are comfortable with.
- At the end of each week I will write something(s) I am grateful for and put in the container.
- Whenever I feel “ungrateful” I will read through them to remind myself how blessed I am and surely I will be holding the “evidence”
- On December 31, I will go through the list irrespective of my mood.
- Practice. Practice. Practice
This is exactly as it is – whatever you have written out in your diary to do from self-care through your goals etc. prioritise or focus on a few at a time. As you practice e.g. meditating, exercising, eating right and the many great things you want to do, these will all GROW. Whatever you practice GROWS.
- Make the world a better place
I believe that we can make a difference in our corner no matter the challenges.
- That smile will change someone’s life
- An act of kindness is contagious and the giver, receiver and all those observing benefit immensely. Let us spread kindness.
- The Blood Bank on my mind for this year and beyond.
What are you focusing on, what are you practicing?
Do share your list with me via email.
AS ALWAYS LAUGH OFTEN, ENSURE HYGIENE, WALK AND PRAY EVERYDAY AND REMEMBER IT’S A PRICELESS GIFT TO KNOW YOUR NUMBERS (blood sugar, blood pressure, blood cholesterol, BMI)
Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel
Health Essentials Ltd/ Medics Clinic
(dressel@healthessentialsgh.com)
*Dr. Essel is a Medical Doctor with a keen interest in Lifestyle Medicine, He holds an MBA and is an ISSA Specialist in Exercise Therapy, Fitness Nutrition and Corrective Exercise. He is the author of the award-winning book, ‘Unravelling The Essentials of Health & Wealth.’
Thought for the week –“Never change your originality for the sake of others because no one can play your role better than you. So be yourself. You are the best.” – Unknown
References:
- Unravelling the Essentials of Health & Wealth; Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel
When it comes to cancer risk factors; ALL RISK FACTORS ARE NOT CREATED EQUAL. Someone may have several risk factors but remain perfectly fine while another may have only one or none yet end up with breast cancer or other cancers.
We cannot say with certainty that we can do all it takes to prevent cancer BUT we can do a lot to reduce our risk.
TEN (10) TIPS TO CANCER RISK REDUCTION
- Weight Control – being overweight or obese increases risk to SEVERAL cancers.
- Smoking – cigarette smoking predisposes one to several cancers including lung cancer. Other forms of air pollutants serve as risks too.
- Alcohol – limit intake or avoid. It has the power to expose one to several cancers as well especially when we can’t apply brakes to how much we consume.
- Healthy Eating
- Limit intake of processed food and sugar
- Limit intake of red meat
- Fruits and vegetables should be a mainstay of our diet.
- An antioxidant rich food like cocoa should be part of our food. The purer the cocoa, the better
- Fibre in your food is crucial.
- Exercise – on its own reduces risk for breast and colon cancers directly and many others through weight control.
- Also increases immunity.
- Cancer Screening – be regular so cancers can be detected early and managed aggressively.
- Vaccinations – take vaccines where needed e.g. Hep B vaccine or vaccine against HPV (human papilloma virus accounts for the majority of cervical cancers)
- Know your Family History
- Anyone in your family with a cancer? Necessary to be on your guard but also remember that you may be the first person in your family with a particular cancer.
- Start your family early and breast feed for as long as possible to reduce risk of breast cancer.
- Check exposure to Ultraviolet Light and other forms of radiation. Protect your skin.
- Practice SAFE SEX
- HPV infection leading to cervical cancer is commoner when one is exposed to sex early, directly or indirectly has multiple partners but NOT everyone follows this rule. As in many situations, outliers do exist.
- Conditions such as HIV/AIDS may suppress your immune system if not managed appropriately.
Do add two (2) others of your choice and send to me via email. Together we can protect ourselves.
Will treating H. Pylori infections be a game changer too?
ALWAYS remember that CANCER PREVENTION HAS NO QUICK FIX – we need to follow these points over and over.
AS ALWAYS LAUGH OFTEN, ENSURE HYGIENE, WALK AND PRAY EVERYDAY AND REMEMBER IT’S A PRICELESS GIFT TO KNOW YOUR NUMBERS (blood sugar, blood pressure, blood cholesterol, BMI)
Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel
Health Essentials Ltd/ Medics Clinic
(dressel@healthessentialsgh.com)
*Dr. Essel is a Medical Doctor with a keen interest in Lifestyle Medicine, He holds an MBA and is an ISSA Specialist in Exercise Therapy, Fitness Nutrition and Corrective Exercise. He is the author of the award-winning book, ‘Unravelling The Essentials of Health & Wealth.’
Thought for the week – “WHERE YOU LIVE SHOULD NOT DETERMINE IF YOU LIVE.”- WHO
By Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel
