Lifestyle
Everyday Habits That Harm Your Heart

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.
Lifestyle
Could Side-Sleeping Be Shaping Your Face?

Most people have a go-to sleeping position. For side-sleepers, that comfort might come with a hidden price: subtle changes to the face that last longer than the pillow marks you see at dawn.
The Science Behind “Sleep Wrinkles”
When you sleep on your side, your face presses into the pillow for hours. That repeated pressure can lead to what doctors call sleep wrinkles. Unlike expression lines that follow the path of a smile or frown, these wrinkles form in unusual directions, shaped by the way your skin is compressed against the pillow.
Younger skin usually recovers quickly because collagen and elastic fibres are firm. As the years pass, skin loses some of that flexibility. The result is that marks which once faded by noon can eventually become permanent lines.
Why Your Sleeping Side Matters
Back-sleepers rarely face this issue since their faces barely touch the pillow. Side and stomach sleepers, however, are more exposed. Research shows that people who favour one side often develop more creases or slight sagging on that side of the face.
This does not mean your bone structure is shifting; adult skulls remain fixed. What changes are the skin and soft tissues, which can show subtle differences after years of nightly pressure.
What We Still Don’t Fully Know
The science is clear on the link between pressure and wrinkles, but gaps remain. Most studies have been carried out in Western populations, and less is known about how these effects play out in African or darker skin types. Melanin offers some natural protection, and thicker skin layers can resist wrinkling for longer, yet constant pressure can still leave lasting impressions.
Climate and bedding are also important. In hot countries like Nigeria, heat, sweat and the type of pillow fabric used may influence how much friction the skin endures at night.
How to Reduce the Impact
If you prefer side-sleeping, you do not have to change everything at once. Small adjustments can help:
Try sleeping on your back more often.
If you must sleep on your side, switch sides regularly.
Use silk or satin pillowcases to cut down on friction.
Choose pillows that support the head while reducing facial pressure.
Protect your skin with daily moisturiser and sunscreen, since sun damage combined with sleep pressure can speed up ageing.
The Bottom Line
Side-sleeping can, over time, affect the skin by creating wrinkles or soft-tissue changes, but it will not alter your bone structure. The effect is subtle for many people and becomes more noticeable with age.
In short, your pillow does more than cradle your head. Over the years, it may be quietly shaping your face.
Sex & Relashionships
Can Your Partner’s Scent Actually Reduce Anxiety?

Ever noticed how just catching a whiff of your partner can make a stressful day feel a little lighter? That comforting smell isn’t just in your head; science suggests it can have real calming effects.
Research indicates that familiar scents, like your partner’s perfume, cologne, or natural body odor, may trigger the release of oxytocin, a hormone linked to bonding and relaxation. Simply hugging your partner, snuggling, or keeping a worn T-shirt nearby can help you feel calmer after a tense day.
Our brains are wired to connect smells with memories and emotions. The olfactory system interacts closely with areas of the brain that regulate fear and anxiety, such as the amygdala. That’s why a partner’s scent can give an almost instant sense of comfort and safety.
For couples in long-distance relationships, these effects can be especially valuable. Swapping clothing items or using shared-scented products can create a sense of closeness even when physical hugs aren’t possible. In daily life, this subtle connection can strengthen emotional bonds while easing stress.
Of course, the effect isn’t the same for everyone. Personal preferences, past experiences, and even genetics can influence how soothing a partner’s scent feels. But for many people, a familiar fragrance is a simple, quietly powerful way to feel more relaxed and connected.
Lifestyle
Nigeria’s First Treehouse Restaurant

Port Harcourt just got a dining upgrade, and it is literally above the rest. TreeHouse Afriq, Nigeria’s first treehouse restaurant, offers a one-of-a-kind experience where good food meets fresh air and leafy views.
A Meal with a View
Forget ordinary tables and chairs. Here, you will enjoy your jollof rice, grilled fish, or plantain fritters while perched among branches, with the gentle sway of trees adding a calming soundtrack. It provides a quiet escape from the city’s hustle without leaving it behind.
Modern Flavors, Local Roots
TreeHouse Afriq specializes in Afrofusion cuisine, blending traditional Nigerian flavors with a contemporary twist. Every dish is thoughtfully prepared, and the drinks menu features cocktails that enhance rather than compete with the flavors on your plate. It offers familiar food, served from a fresh perspective.
The Atmosphere Matters
The magic of TreeHouse Afriq goes beyond the food; the setting takes center stage. Open-air seating, soft lighting, and natural greenery create a warm, intimate space perfect for casual dinners, small celebrations, or simply enjoying a quiet evening out.
Setting a New Standard
While Lagos has its share of treehouse-themed spots, TreeHouse Afriq stands as the first in Port Harcourt to bring this concept to life fully. It reflects how Nigerian dining is evolving, offering experiences that extend beyond food and appealing to both locals and visitors seeking something memorable.
Plan Your Visit
Located at No. 1A Bank Road, Old GRA, beside the NBA House, TreeHouse Afriq is easy to find and impossible to forget. Whether you are a local resident or just visiting, a meal here promises an experience that will linger in memory long after the last bite.
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