Health is wealth is a popular saying. It is not just a rehearsed line, it’s an ethos, a way of life.
Living in an expensive country like ours, maintaining a healthy lifestyle can sometimes seem like climbing the famous Olumo rock in high heels.
But as always, wahala no dey finish, and yet, we keep pushing. So, buckle up and let’s embark on this journey to health and wellness together.
Get moving
We’ve all read those Healthline articles on the benefits of regular exercise. However, let’s sprinkle a bit of Naija flavour to it. Who needs a gym when you’ve got the beat-filled Nigerian dance styles? From ‘Zanku’ to ‘Lonely at the top’, these moves will get your heart pumping faster than when you spot the last piece of chicken at a family gathering!
Feast on superfoods
You are what you eat, and luckily, our beloved Nigerian soil is brimming with nutrient-packed superfoods. Cleveland Clinic extols the virtues of superfoods, many of which we have right under our noses. Ever considered ‘Ugwu’ (pumpkin leaves) or ‘Ofada Rice’? These local delicacies are packed full of vitamins and nutrients, enough to make any health enthusiast salivate. So, eat up, because a healthy woman is as formidable as a well-prepared pot of Afang soup!
Don’t skip the doctor’s visits
Remember when your mother would say, “Prevention is better than cure”? She might as well have been a prophetess because, as stated by the Mayo Clinic, regular health screenings are essential in detecting potential health issues before they become a ‘yawa’ that not even the fanciest ‘gele’ can cover.
Sleep tight
Think of a good night’s sleep like the after-party of a long, busy day. Healthline emphasizes the importance of quality sleep for optimal health. And let’s be honest, who wouldn’t want to attend the blissful ‘owanbe’ of rejuvenating sleep?
Keep the water coming
Just as every ‘owanbe’ party is incomplete without some ‘jollof rice’, your body is incomplete without proper hydration. According to Mayo Clinic, drinking sufficient water aids your body’s overall function. So, fill up those water bottles and keep your body’s ‘owanbe’ going!
Mindfulness—the ‘gele’ of mental health
Ever been in a Lagos traffic jam and wished you were elsewhere? That’s where mindfulness comes in. According to Cleveland Clinic, mindfulness helps improve mental wellbeing by grounding us in the present moment. So, take a deep breath, adjust your mental ‘gele’, and watch as your stress begins to ‘pack and go’.
Cultivate your social connections
Social bonds are not just for ‘gisting’ about the latest ‘Telemundo’ series, but they also enhance our health. Mayo Clinic states that strong social connections contribute to a longer, healthier life. So, keep up those ‘gists’, and know that it’s a part of your journey to a healthier you.
Conclusion
In conclusion, these healthy habits are as much a part of our vibrant culture as our beloved ‘ankara’. So, as we say in Nigeria, “Na the person wey wear shoe know where e dey pinch am”, meaning everyone knows where it hurts.
Let’s not let our health be that painful shoe. Instead, let’s turn it into a comfortable pair that fits us perfectly, complementing our colourful ‘ankara’. Here’s to a healthier you, one ‘eba’ ball at a time!
