Lifestyle

Everyday Habits That Harm Your Heart

Published

4 months ago

26 July 2025

You don’t need to have a poor diet or a cigarette habit to put your heart at risk. Often, it’s the small, everyday choices—the ones we barely notice—that quietly wear it down. Maybe it’s another skipped meal, a day spent glued to a screen, or that familiar tightness in your chest after a stressful phone call. These seemingly harmless patterns, repeated over time, can build into a real problem. If your heart could talk, it would probably ask for a few changes.

Rushing Out Without Breakfast

Skipping breakfast might seem like no big deal, especially when mornings are hectic. But doing it often can raise your blood pressure, mess with your sugar levels, and leave your heart working harder than it should. Grabbing a sweet pastry or an energy drink on the go doesn’t help either. Your heart thrives on steady energy. A bowl of oats, some fruit, or even plain bread with eggs is better than nothing.

Sitting for Hours Without Moving

Many of us spend most of the day sitting—at a desk, in traffic, or in front of the TV. When this becomes your norm, blood circulation slows down and your risk of developing heart-related issues increases. You don’t need to run a marathon. Just standing up every hour, walking around, or stretching your legs regularly can make a difference. Think of it as keeping your blood in motion, like oil in an engine.

Ignoring Sleep Patterns

Sleep isn’t just about rest—it’s when your heart does some of its most important recovery work. Skimping on sleep, or oversleeping regularly, throws your body’s natural systems off balance. Research shows that both habits are linked to increased risk of heart disease. Aim for 7 to 8 hours a night. Try to keep a steady sleep routine, and wind down properly before bed. The quality of your sleep matters as much as the quantity.

Letting Stress Pile Up

Stress has a way of creeping into everything—work, home, even rest. When it becomes constant, it affects your blood pressure and raises inflammation in the body, both of which strain your heart. Some people bottle it up. Others carry it quietly, thinking that’s just life. But learning how to release stress—whether through walking, deep breathing, talking to someone, or just unplugging—can take a real weight off your heart.

Too Much Processed Food

It’s easy to fall into the habit of eating whatever’s quick and available. But many packaged foods are loaded with salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats that can slowly damage your arteries. Try to eat more home-cooked meals with fresh ingredients. When you shop, check labels and choose options with less sodium and added sugar. Your heart doesn’t need fancy diets—it just needs food that’s real.

Avoiding Check-Ups

It’s easy to ignore what you can’t feel. High blood pressure and cholesterol often come with no warning signs. That’s why regular health checks are so important. Knowing your numbers—blood pressure, cholesterol levels, blood sugar—can help you spot problems early, before they lead to something more serious. It’s a small step with big benefits.

The “Occasional” Cigarette or Binge Drink

You might tell yourself it’s just one drink, just one smoke, only once in a while. But even occasional habits can build up. Alcohol and tobacco are two of the biggest culprits when it comes to damaging the heart. Cutting back—or quitting altogether—gives your heart a much-needed break and lowers your long-term risk.

Not Moving Enough

Regular movement helps keep your heart strong and your blood flowing smoothly. You don’t need a gym membership. A brisk walk around the neighbourhood, taking the stairs instead of the lift, or dancing while you clean the house all count. The key is to move—daily, consistently, and in ways that feel good to you.

In Summary

Your heart doesn’t ask for much. Just a bit of attention, some better choices, and a routine that allows it to work without strain. These small adjustments in your daily habits don’t require perfection—just awareness and consistency. After all, a healthy heart is one of the best gifts you can give yourself.

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Sex & Relashionships

Ghostlighting: The Relationship Red Flag People Are Only Just Naming

Published

3 days ago

5 December 2025

Ogbu John

You’ve probably heard of ghosting and gaslighting. But there’s a newer, subtler danger lurking in modern relationships: ghostlighting. It’s sneaky, confusing, and, until recently, had no name.

Ghostlighting happens when someone disappears, with texts unanswered and calls ignored, and then, when they finally respond, they dismiss your feelings. Suddenly, you’re the “overthinking” one, questioning your own reaction. Unlike ghosting, which is abrupt and final, ghostlighting keeps you hanging in uncertainty. And unlike gaslighting, it doesn’t rely on lies; it works through inconsistency and minimization, leaving you second-guessing yourself.

Photo – Google

This isn’t just a dating quirk. Over time, ghostlighting can erode confidence, damage self-esteem, and make it hard to trust your instincts. It thrives in early relationships, but it can show up anywhere, even in long-term partnerships or friendships.

Photo – Google

How do you spot it? Watch for repeated patterns: disappearing for days or weeks, giving excuses that don’t match the behavior, dismissing your emotions, or making you feel “too sensitive.” If this sounds familiar, take it seriously. Healthy relationships are consistent, communicate openly, and respect boundaries. Ghostlighting is none of these.

Photo – Google

Naming ghostlighting isn’t about shaming anyone; it’s about recognizing harmful behavior. Once you see it for what it is, you can protect yourself, set limits, and trust your feelings again.

Relationships are complicated, but knowing the warning signs makes navigating them easier. Ghostlighting may be subtle, but understanding it is a step toward healthier connections and toward respecting yourself enough not to settle for anything less.

Lifestyle

When Is the Right Time to Put Up Christmas Decorations?

Published

2 weeks ago

24 November 2025

Ogbu John

Christmas is approaching, and for many Nigerians, that means it’s almost time to bring out the lights, ornaments, and seasonal sparkle. But when exactly should you start decorating your home? The answer depends on your style, family, and how much holiday cheer you can enjoy without feeling stressed.

Photo: Google

Some households begin in November, turning their living rooms and balconies into sparkling mini-winter wonderlands. For families with kids, early decorations double as a countdown to the big day, building excitement with every string of lights and hanging ornament. Others prefer to wait until December, keeping everything fresh and impactful right up to Christmas Day.

Photo – Google

Local interior designers suggest a sweet spot: the last weekend of November. By then, homes can glow with holiday energy while staying lively and relevant through family visits, church services, and neighborhood celebrations. For offices and public spaces, decorating too early can make the season feel stretched, while waiting too long may leave little time for guests and staff to enjoy the festive mood.

Photo – Google

Ultimately, the “right time” is personal. Some Nigerian families start as soon as the streetlights twinkle and the scent of jollof fills the kitchen; others wait until Advent begins. Whether you begin early or late, the key is to enjoy the process. Hang your LED lights on the palm tree, string ornaments along the windows, or place a small Christmas tree in the living room for everyone to admire.

At the end of the day, it’s not the exact timing that matters but the joy, warmth, and shared moments that Christmas decorations bring to your home. So untangle those lights, set up your tree, and let your space celebrate the season, when it feels right for you.

Sex & Relashionships

What is Monogamism in Relationship?

Published

3 weeks ago

20 November 2025

Trisha Dona

Monogamism is the belief that people should practice monogamy not just the act of being with one partner, but the ideology that it is the ideal, proper, or preferred relationship structure. It sits at the intersection of culture, religion, personal values, and social expectation.

Unlike simple monogamy (the practice), monogamism is the viewpoint that monogamy is the correct model for romantic life. It is a framework shaped by upbringing, tradition, and personal boundaries.

Why People Choose It

Several factors influence why people embrace monogamism:
Cultural grounding: Many communities in Nigeria, though diverse, teach commitment to one partner as part of adulthood and responsibility.

Religious influence: Christianity and Islam have a strong presence across the country, and both introduce ideas around exclusivity, fidelity, and partnership.

Emotional structure: Some individuals feel more secure when their romantic life is centred on one person, with clear expectations and stability.

This isn’t about superiority. It’s about understanding how people align their relationships with their values.

How Modern Dating Has Complicated the Conversation

While monogamism remains common, the dating landscape in Nigeria is changing quickly. Social media, career-driven lifestyles, delayed marriage, and exposure to global relationship conversations have created a wider range of choices. These shifts challenge unspoken rules that once went unquestioned.
People now explore:

° Situationships

° Exclusive dating without long-term certainty

° Open relationships within specific circles

° Marriage-focused courtship

° Traditional monogamy

This makes monogamism more of an intentional choice than something inherited without question.