• Friendship can have a positive impact on your health
“Me nyare n’anso me nti ap)” this is a popular akan saying that can be translated into English as “I am not ill, yet I feel unwell.” It’s that feeling when you just can’t place a finger on what is not right with you.
Today, I can confidently inform you that if you had felt this way in the past, you certainly had a point. Medical science has come a long way and we know that health and wellness go far beyond what we are used to; pains, heart disease, infections etc. that form physical health/wellness. Other equally important aspects of wellness exist and these may be classified as Social, Mental, Spiritual, Financial and Digital Health and Wellness.
Do not be surprised when your doctor begins to ask you questions about your social network, such as those you have close ties with i.e., family or friends or both. Longevity depends, to a large extend, on one’s social support system or network. This is how the American Heart Association puts it; “lack of SOCIAL CONNECTION is associated with increased risk of premature death from all causes, especially among men”.
This is no open ticket to spend all of your time after work hours hanging out with friends under the disguise that you are prolonging your life or reducing your risk of premature death. Moderation is key in all things and your strong social ties need not be a whole village, all you need is a handful of loyal friends or family who know you inside out and have your well-being at heart.
If you are stressed out or have any mental health challenges, you should be able to speak to a close friend as sharing your challenge may just be enough or this friend may be able to advise you appropriately.
It is easy to laugh with such friends and not be worried about being judged because laughter as you know is MEDICINE. Close contacts may prompt you to take your physical health seriously but even if they don’t, the bond you share and the sense of belonging cause the body to produce good hormones that protect you and prolong your health span. I prefer health span to lifespan simply because lifespan refers to just being alive, but one may not be “living” as one may be bedridden, in a coma, have multiple organ challenges etc. We should all aim at a long health span.
The art of building strong social connections is one reason we need to work on getting our children away from their phones and other gadgets that deprive them of the opportunity to talk to their peers, share physical contact and form lifelong relationships.
While you work on your social connections, let’s breathe our way to great health by following the steps below and repeating them daily;
- Sit in a quiet place
- Avoid tight clothing (so loosen your belt, neck tie or other constricting clothing)
- Take in deep breaths through your nostril and exhale slowly through partially closed lips
- Expand your belly as you breathe in
- Focus on your breathing and forget about everything else
- When your focus drifts off (and it will be about 50% of the time), acknowledge the thought but quickly return to your breathing
- Continue breathing in and exhaling for five minutes
- Increase the duration of this breathing/ mindfulness over time.
…and remember to teach your friends to breathe too, after all, together you will live a long healthy and enjoyable life.
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)
By Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel
Health Essentials Ltd/ 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 – “Lack of sleep may predispose you to many diseases including STROKE. Jump into bed an hour earlier and sleep a stroke away.You cannot be healthy during WAR or VIOLENCE, let’s all pray and work towards PEACE in our WORLD”