It requires effort to be happy or content in life and sometimes we find it too tedious to invest in enjoying life. Living in misery is much easier to achieve and you can set off on this downhill ride by simply spending hours in a couch watching television alone, eating, drinking and sleeping only a few hours each day. It will surely not be long when all other negatives will be added onto you.

Our brains act us the starting point and whatever we “settle on” in our brain we are likely to be able to push the rest of our bodies to ensure we achieve that goal.

Here are a few points that will surely get the majority of us to the land of misery one day at a time. If you do not want to get there, simply do the opposite.

1. Live as a loner/island
a. To enjoy life it is important to build a strong social support network. The time you spend volunteering, taking a class, joining in church activity and staying in touch is never a waste of time. It adds up to making life more enjoyable for you. Making you more agile yet robust.

b. Man is a social creature and we bring out the best in us when we build relationships.

2. Bring on persistent stress

a. It’s easy not to plan or organise one’s day. You certainly set yourself up for failure and an A rating in misery. Never say NO even if you are overwhelmed. Never laugh at yourself, take everything serious to the bone and sooner than later you will achieve honours in Misery.

b. Look at the benefits of stress. Exercise, laugh often, create time just for yourself, get a massage, eat right and pray every day to manage stress majestically and enjoy life.

3. Make no time for fun and relaxation

a. No matter how empty your life may be, if you can consistently avoid leisure and focus solely on work all year round, I can bet my last bottom Ghana pesewa that misery will be within arm’s reach.

4. Be set in your ways

a. When you are set in your ways and leave no room for error or a chance to make modifications, you are setting yourself up for a miserable life.

b. Remain hopeful, learn from experiences and make every day meaningful and you will succeed in driving away the curse of misery.

5. Do not find a realistic balance

a. We all like and should set goals in life. Some may be “big hairy audacious” but we should not strike out reality from our dictionary. If we do not achieve one goal, that is not the end of life. We are very good in other departments of life and can always excel in other fields. When we choose not to be realistic all the time and beat ourselves to pulp when we are unable to meet a goal then eventually misery will find solace in our heart.

6. Live beyond your means

a. The thrill of living on borrowed life. Spend money you don’t have. Waste time that is earmarked for other business. Surely poverty and misery will follow you all the days of your life and you will dwell in obscurity sooner than you can ever imagine.

You are aware that if you do not take responsibility for your health, diseases may overwhelm you to the extent that misery will take charge of your life.

At the end of the day feeling miserable occasionally is no crime. Let us work together to avoid that downhill ride and it all starts with a positive attitude.

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/St Andrews Clinic/Mobissel
(www.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.”

Reference:
1. Mayo Clinic; Essential Heart Guide 2012