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.

The Pressures Around Monogamism

Being monogamous is one thing; being expected to be monogamous is another. In Nigerian society, those pressures show up through:

° Family expectations

° Religious community standard

° Gendered assumptions about loyall

° Fear of judgement

° Fear of being labelled

° Concern about respectability

When Nigerians talk about wellness, the conversation usually revolves aroun‎d eating right, hitting the gym, or meditating at sunrise. But there’s one part of health that rarely gets attention, even in casual conversations: sex. It’s more than pleasure; it’s a natural way to boost your mood, sharpen your body, and ease stress.

Sex works like a workout, raising your heart rate, engaging muscles, and improving circulation. It may not replace a full gym session, but it counts as physical activity. Regular intimacy has been linked to better sleep, stronger immunity, and even lower blood pressure, all without leaving your bedroom.

The mental benefits are just as powerful. Intimacy releases hormones like oxytocin and endorphins, the same chemicals that give you a rush after Sunday football or a lively dance session at a Lagos party. These natural boosts can help fight stress, ease anxiety, and improve your focus on work or studies.

Sex also helps you stay in tune with your body. It’s not about checking boxes or meeting expectations. Whether it’s the closeness with a partner or simply exploring your own body, intimacy can build confidence and remind you that wellness is about feeling alive, not just looking healthy.

For couples, regular intimacy strengthens bonds and keeps relationships resilient through everyday pressures. For singles, understanding your own needs can be just as empowering. Approaching sex intentionally, safely, and consensually makes it a way to care for yourself, rather than a chore.

In Nigeria, talking openly about sexual health can still be tricky. But including intimacy as part of your wellness routine is essential. Ignoring it doesn’t make it less important; it only limits one of the simplest ways to feel happier and healthier.

So, the next time you think about wellness, whether it’s a morning run, a smoothie, or a mindfulness session, remember that pleasure has a role too. A healthy sex life can boost your energy, improve your mood, and leave you feeling more balanced, body and mind.

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.