All the above creates an atmosphere that may lead to regret when managed poorly. In the midst of all the fun do remember to keep your family safe and make time to talk about the following;

• Cooking areas/kitchens are not an extension of a child’s play area. It can be a recipe for disaster; tripping, burns etc.
  • Do ensure the handles of pans and pots on your stove point away from your work area to avoid accidentally bumping into them and causing a spillage
• If you have decorations be sure there is no fire / lighted candles close by. Also watch out for small parts , toys that can easily be swollen by children
  • As we try to create a different atmosphere at home we may end up running cables on the floor. That is a trip alert especially for the elderly and children.
• The excitement, alcohol and hormone spikes may lead to adventure from our young adults and some end up in unprotected sex which opens many floodgates including STIs, pregnancy and HIV among others.
• Be wary of what your children especially eat or drink when they leave home because drinks, pastries etc. may be spiked with hard drugs
• “Ambitious” children may sometimes even want to sneak out with your car even when they are not licensed to drive and we all know what may happen.
• Finally make time to connect as a family. Spend time together. Catch up on what is happening in your lives. Eat at least one good meal together each day. Do not keep yourself so busy you have to be out every day.
  • As adults we are role-models to our children and other young ones. Let as set the right tone and leave memories that are worth emulating from generation to generation.

As we enjoy the love and spirit of giving that comes with this season, we can think through messages shared by friends and colleagues over a period of time. I am sure many will impact positively on our lives.

“Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a healthy and prosperous new year. Eat wisely over the holidays. Remember to take a walk to visit two neighbours each day through the holidays. Dispose of your waste wisely and let us make our environment a cleaner place” –Harold Esseku, Sanitary Engineer

“It’s the season of love. Let the only fire that burns be the fire of love and not domestic fires” –Victor Etwire, Paediatric Surgeon. Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.

“Christmas, the season to share with one another and enjoy great and mouthwatering dishes. Don’t forget your fruits and vegetables. Sanitize your green leafy vegetables with vinegar to avoid food poisoning. Enjoy the season to the max” -Gifty Dufie Ampofo, Public Health Specialist.

“As we celebrate the birth of Lord Jesus this Christmas let us make sure we cross over to the New Year with all our loved ones. Be safe on the roads, avoid drinking and driving and teach the children to use Zebra Crossings when crossing roads. Merry Christmas! –Brenda Addo-Quarshie, Paediatric Doctor

“As the Irish proverb says; a good laugh and a long sleep is better than medicine. May laughter and rest be the cure to all your ailments. Remember health means wealth!”-Anita Arthur, Human Resource Professional.

“If you are on medication, please do not go on a drug holiday so that you can spend the money on pleasure. Remember these are not the last days of your life; you will be here in 2022. Do not start the new year with financial stress and complications of your illness”-Kojo Cobba Essel, Wellness Entrepreneur.

“Santa has been the same size since inception because he loves to fit in his suits. Let’s all in the season of love adopt this model and watch our portions. Keep your teeth extra happy this season and remember to brush them appropriately.”-Josephine Opoku-Bekoe, Human Resource Professional.

“The intergovernmental panel on Climate Change have reemphasized that climate change is ongoing and the impact will get worse if nothing is done. The situation looks dire but there is always a light of hope. More importantly as we celebrate the birth of Jesus let us be reminded that he came to help us resolve our most difficult situations.”-  Ama Kwansima Essel, Climate Change Expert.

As we unwrap our gifts this season remember that the first gift of Christmas did not come with pomp, neither was it wrapped yet it is the greatest gift a Father could ever give to His children; the gift of LOVE. Jesus was and is still that gift. This season seize the opportunity to boost your “happiness level” by giving especially to the less fortunate in society. I guarantee that such an act will make you more content and healthier.

If no one is kind enough to give you a gift of an annual medical examination, please make it a point to reward all your labour with at least the basic medical tests after discussing with your doctor.

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 Ltd

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 – “During the holiday season remember to focus on Christ and catch up on sleep; sleep deprivation does not only make you accident-prone, it increases your risk of putting on extra fat and in addition may predispose you to conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure”