Fair & peaceful elections beget a healthy & wealthy nation

Four years is certainly not a very long time. I remember vividly queuing to exercise my franchise in 2012 and its already time to repeat the process? Election season comes with its own dose of anxiety mixed with anger and heartache; you will agree with me that none of the three is a prescription for a healthy life.

We all have a role in ensuring that we once again go through a peaceful election process. It is also the responsibility of certain institutions to ensure fairness and I trust that is also being taken care of. Health goes beyond eating right and exercising. Neither is it limited to knowing your numbers. A peaceful environment ensures that we can carry on with our health goals even if the majority of us are planning to make eating and drinking the focus of the holiday season.

A healthy life also involves making time to relax, playing, having fun, loving and laughing like you have no cares in the world. All these are not possible if instead of using our thumbs to choose our leaders we decide to use our fists and other weapons.

If you are harbouring any plans of causing any form of confusion before, during or after the Election kindly abandon that now. Let us all go to our centres, vote and go to work or return home till it’s time for counting when we may want to witness the process. Encourage as many people as possible to go out to vote instead of regretting later. Just like you, I have my preference for who should lead us but it is important that we respect each other’s choice.

Enjoying life however should not be reserved only for Christmas, Easter and other major occasions. Plan your life such that you can have fun throughout the year, and it does not have to cost you loads of money. Start off now and make a conscious effort to enjoy life often, knowing that your heart will be singing a melodious tune. ELECTIONS is no life and death period and should not affect our decision to live happily.

Let us all pledge to do a few things that will make us healthier:

1. Strengthen social support network & ensure it includes those who support different political parties;

a. Spend more time doing volunteer work. Touching more lives in a positive way

b. join a new club or participate more in club activities

c. spend more time with church activities

d. learn to be a better listener and show more appreciation

2. Relax and have fun often

a. Practicing relaxation techniques such as deep breathing exercise is very helpful and I hope those who can afford will squeeze in some good massage sometimes.

b. Laughter will be a priority in my life. Hello to comedy shows, funny movies and sharing jokes with friends. I will learn to laugh even if it means forcing it. I aim to laugh no matter what for the first 2 hours of my wakeful hours and I believe it will carry me through the day. I will not be bothered by the careless driving on the streets of Accra and neither will the early morning traffic spoil my morning; I will laugh no matter what. Will you do the same?

3. Let us aim at reducing stress from unnecessary tension

a. Stress is consistently being blamed for many disease conditions. We seem to be rushing in life every day and I am no exception. Scare-mongering, peddling untruths etc. all have the potential to cause unnecessary stress and anxiety.

b. Let us organize our time and avoid being caught up in social media excesses.

c. Plan your day ahead to avoid wasting time doing nothing. Idle hands often engage in acts that may have grave consequences.

I look forward to a fair and peaceful 2016 Elections and I pledge to uphold peace. I am sure you will also make the same pledge because without peace there can be no health and poverty will reign supreme.

AS ALWAYS LAUGH OFTEN, 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

St Andrews Clinic/Health Essentials

(www.healthclubsgh.com)

Dr. Essel is a medical doctor, holds an MBA and is ISSA certified in exercise therapy and fitness nutrition.

Thought for the week – “Studies have shown that intense and unresolved anger increases the risk of heart attack .The good news: Laughing has been found to be beneficial for your heart.”

References:

• Mayo Clinic “Essential Heart Guide’ 2012