Cobba’s health wellness guide for Christmas 2021
There is something special about Christmas; just the thought of it either overwhelms you with excitement or you may be drowned with anxiety as panic bells keep ringing. When a budget is read close to Christmas then you can imagine its impact. All the Christmas frenzy virtually melts away by 6 p.m. on December 25. When all is said and done remember that the season marks Christ’s birthday not yours, so make Him the focus and give Him all the glory. Just like 2021 appears to have been a sprint, January 2022 will be here soon and yes January will once again be the “longest” month of the year so be careful. Let’s take a look at some of these areas as we prepare for the Christmas carols and décor that seem to be avoiding the limelight as much as possible.
Climate Change and Christmas
These days the sun is really bluffing. It can get so hot one’s brain seems to melt.
• Climate Change has made the weather so unpredictable we may even end up with rain on Christmas Day. Remember to protect yourself from extreme heat. When planning for an event don’t assume it won’t rain. Stay safe at all times.
Insane traffic, driving and accidents
• The traffic in the capital has been ridiculous and this trend started over a month ago. It promises to get worse and we can all help by
• Working from home if your job allows that
• Carpooling
• Planning trips well to avoid traffic and wasting fuel; and the price of fuel is no child’s play
• Staying in traffic may tempt you to get on your phone but “Don’t Drive & Text. You are an ACCIDENT IN WAITING if you do.
” COVID-19 does not “celebrate” Christmas
• Christmas 2021 appears to be one that Sikaman will receive many “guests” from far and wide and they will definitely want to chill.
• There will be parties and many large gatherings and excited people tend to forget that there are protocols to follow and COVID-19 does not recognise Christmas; at least it didn’t when I last checked.
• I am sure you remember that at about the same time in 2020 we seemed to be enjoying a “break” from COVID till election campaigns, Election Day, celebrations and Christmas joy eroded all our gains. Re
member that and stay safe.
Party preparation & an excuse to indulge
• This festive season do not skip your meals in preparation for a party. Hunger will make you overeat and also you are prone to making bad choices as your stomach churns. • If you have an evening function that involves food eat a heavy healthy lunch at home and ensure you are well hydrated. This will reduce the tendency to overeat.
• At a buffet, serve yourself and move away. Do not find excuses to stay by the food and snacks.
• You are not expected to “try” everything that is served. Pick a few of your favourite and let the rest be.
• Your days are packed but since almost everyone will indulge, make time to exercise most days even if it’s for less than 10 minutes
• You can even walk in place at your bedside and add my all-time favourites of pushups, squats and planks.
• At parties, church programmes and other functions take every opportunity to dance; well that is exercise and also keeps you away from the food and drinks.
• Alcohol has a way of making
everything “enjoyable” – be careful of what and how much you drink because you will end up making THE WRONG CHOICES. I can guarantee that
• This does not mean coloured drinks loaded with sugar are a good substitute. Remember moderation is key.
Keeping wellness on track?
• Make time to SLEEP. There is the temptation to be part of every “show”, slow down. It’s not the end of life
• Make time to breathe, your body including your mental health will be grateful to you
• Do not “over” indulge during the season. It will soon be over and you will have to start all over again. Remember what it took to reach your goals …
Financial wellness and heartbreaks
• If you have not been putting money away all year for gifts, fun-time and other expenses, this is no time to “squeeze” because something else will have to give; rent, mortgage, car payment, school fees, food for January 2022 etc.
Keep within your “lane” and prepare for Christmas 2022. You will definitely cause some heartbreaks but it is what it is.
• If you want to enjoy Christmas 2022 then preparation starts in January 2022. Start putting some money away every month
New Year resolutions
• And the cycle will start all over again within a week of Christmas Day. There is no magic about New Year resolutions and many fail to progress beyond a few weeks. I do not know your experience with New Year Resolutions but I daresay, if you have great plans for your physical, social, mental, financial, spiritual and digital wellbeing start now and get back on track whenever you go off course.
The bottom-line is and has remained the same for ages; Christmas marks the birth of Christ our Lord and Saviour. Make time to praise, worship, thank Him and learn more about Him.
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 (dressel@ healthessentialsgh.com)
*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 –“Don’t drive and text. You are an accident in waiting if you do.”
References: • Unravelling the Essentials of Health & Wealth – Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel
News
Sam George authorises dismissal of about 100 Ghana Post staff over irregular recruitment
Communications Minister, Sam George, has authorised the dismissal of nearly 100 staff of the Ghana Post Limited, citing an irregular recruitment process.
The affected staff members were employed after the December 7, 2024, election, a period during which the minister says proper procedures were not followed.
Speaking about the decision, Sam George expressed his commitment to clearing the ministry of individuals whose recruitment was not in line with the established protocols.
He stated that as the head of the ministry, he could not work with staff members whose employment was marred by irregularities.
“If you are a minister and you take over a ministry that has 3,117 staff in the ministry and its agencies and 600 were recruited after December 7, you cannot expect me to come and inherit such a mess, and so the rationalisation is ongoing,” he told the press on Tuesday.
He added, “Today, I have authorised a termination of a few more at Ghana Post, almost 100 that were done post-election.”
The Communications Minister explained that the irregular recruitment had created a situation where positions were filled without following due process, leading to inefficiencies within the department.
The Ningo-Prampram legislator emphasised that he is on a mission to “Clean up the ministry to make sure that it is lean and efficient and carries out its works.”
The government has been reverting many post-election employment in the public sector, which it says was done without following the laid down procedures in various sectors of the economy.
Source: myjoyonline.com
News
High Commissioner of Barbados to Ghana pays courtesy call on Minister of Health
The High Commissioner of Barbados to Ghana, Juliette Byone-Sutherland, paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, to discuss key issues in the health sector.
During the meeting, Mr.Akandoh highlighted the need for increased funding to ensure the effective implementation of healthcare processes.
To address the challenges faced by health workers in rural areas, the Minister mentioned a proposed package of incentives, including an additional 20% of their basic salaries, quicker promotions, and scholarships for further training.
He also emphasised the importance of providing steady leave with pay to encourage health workers to remain in these areas.
Mr.Akandoh stressed the need for six additional hospitals to cater to the new regions created in Ghana. He also discussed plans to upgrade regional and teaching hospitals to attract more skilled health workers.
In response, High Commissioner Byone-Sutherland expressed her appreciation for the Minister and the government’s efforts to improve the health sector.
She also suggested that nurses from Barbados could benefit from health training programmes in Ghana, gaining practical experience in the field.
This courtesy call highlights the importance of collaboration and knowledge sharing between countries to improve healthcare outcomes.
The Ministry of Health remains committed to addressing the challenges faced by health workers and ensuring that Ghanaians receive quality healthcare services.
