Health Essentials
S.E.L.F. care is priceless!
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The past few years have seen STRESS take centre stage in many places and it comes as no surprise that it has been labelled “the health epidemic of the 21st century.” Then the COVID-19 pandemic moved stress and mental health in general to another level never experienced in modern times. I dare say that never in the history of the world have so many people experienced similar feelings at the same time. What about the World Wars?
It is heart-warming that one will most likely be applauded when they state clearly how they feel and put their mental health above all others. Well only a few people will still judge people who see the need to make self-care a priority.
Many people have proposed practical ways to manage stress but when all is said and done we have to change our mindset and realise none of us is immune to stress. We can’t even achieve our lofty goals without some element of stress. As Hall and Sanders put it “the biggest misconception about stress is that we have to beat it; when we make stress the enemy we actually create more stress for ourselves. While stress may arise from unregulated negative emotions, intentionally activating positive heart emotions such as care, appreciation, compassion and ease, decrease your stress by creating harmony. POSITIVE THINKING isn’t enough here. It must be positive feelings from the heart to affect your body and brain. It all comes down to learning how to react positively from a mental and emotional standpoint to negative stressors in our lives.” Oh and I know that is no walk in the park but the benefits outweigh the downsides so let us start now.
If you are like the majority of people it may be time to set realistic expectations; continuously seeking bigger and better things in every aspect of our lives may be self-destructive as we may be setting ourselves up for failure. I just read your thoughts; there is a fine line between continuous self-improvement and setting unrealistic goals.
Hall’s acronym “S.E.L.F. care” is extremely helpful and easy to remember as well as follow. Give it a try now and incorporate it into your activities of daily living.
S stands for serenity, E for exercise, L for love and F for food!!
- Serenity
Five minutes of “Me-Time” does a world of good to us. It reboots our mind and body and we should incorporate time in our schedule no matter how busy or “stressed” we may think we are. It could just be sitting briefly to meditate or pray. Spending time to do deep belly-breathing, progressively relaxing our muscles, listening to music or even taking a long relaxing bath if you are lucky to have water. Well it may also be time to count your blessings.
- Exercise
Physical activity does amazing things to our physical and mental health and we should not short-change ourselves on this. You do not need to exercise for hours to reap these benefits; Just Do It even if it means walking for five minutes a day and gradually adding on to it BUT do remember SITTING for long hours is probably one of the worst things you could do to yourself.
- Love
When Jesus asked us to love one another He was setting us up to live a rounded , robust life.” Isolation they say kills and community heals” and it is not surprising that having strong social ties is a major factor in longevity. The pandemic has definitely taught us that as humans we are all social animals. We can surround ourselves with a core group of caring family or friends. Some people also believe in the power of pets and yes there is evidence to support the benefits as well.
- Food
Healthy food has a way of lifting our mood but there is the risk of unhealthy snacking as well. Avoid drowning your “sorrow” in alcohol and do not overdo caffeinated beverages.
Adding anti-oxidants like cocoa to your food is PRICELESS!
As much as possible make healthy food choices and your mood and mental health will thank you.
No one has all the answers to managing stress but I trust you will benefit from some of these. Make the choice that puts your S.E.L.F. first.
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/ St Andrews Clinic/Mobissel
Dr. Essel is a medical doctor, holds an MBA and is ISSA certified in exercise therapy, fitness nutrition and corrective exercise.
Thought for the week–“STIGMATISATION has no place in fighting this pandemic. It will cause people to hide and not disclose their status, seek medical care late and reduce all the benefits of protocols. We should all be comfortable enough to tell our close contacts when we test positive for COVID-19 so that the proper measures are taken. This is extremely important if we have to win this fight.”- Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel
References:
- Special TIME edition on STRESS; “Expert-Backed Ways to Deal” by Audrey Noble
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
