Dear Wahala – 6 Proven Ways to Maintain Steeze

Boy! Is every one stressed out or what?

It’s hard enough being a Nigerian, then add constantly rising fuel prices, transport, basic services, even food and you have the exact ingredients for chronic depression. 
Okay so I’m not here to offer a fix, truthfully at this point only God can help us. On the upside, I’m here to offer ways we can manage this and rise above the turbulence. So if you’re interested in finding how, keep reading. 

Have you noticed how aggressive everyone is lately ? We’re so focused on surviving that we can’t even afford to be owed or have money hanging around anywhere. Money is needed and it’s needed now! That sounds aggressive, desperate and impatient doesn’t it? Well you might be giving that off without realizing, and who can blame you? Country hard! Here are six ways to manage this era and still maintain steeze with little to no wahala.

Be considerate

Know that every one is going through it. Actually it is a global issue, it’s just that the economy wasn’t even great to begin with and now this. Offer a listening ear when you can; a problem shared, is a problem half solved. Be kind, especially when you don’t have to. Someone speaks to you rudely, no problem. It’s not him, it’s the frustration. Offer kindness back, and he’d be so taken aback that he’d have no option but to reciprocate. Kindness is contagious! Spread it around like confetti. That brings us to the next point.

Visit your friends

Even if you’re an introvert, this is not the time to be alone with your thoughts, at least not as frequently as you did before. Socialize, hangout, be around people. Statistically, psychologists have found that being around other people especially friends and family is a great way to reduce stress. We’re social beings for a reason! So don’t be shy, don’t hesitate, go be social.

Be around nature

This is for our introvert friends who even after the previous point will still find reasons not to visit their friends. Nature is our best friend when it comes to reducing stress. If you’re in Abuja then you’re lucky, there are lots of parks you can visit to just be around nature (plus meet new people and have conversations). The fresh air will do you a lot of good. You don’t have any park close by? No problem. A short walk around your neighborhood will do the trick too. 

Move

Let me just quickly borrow this quote from Carol Welch that says “Movement is the medicine for creating change in a person’s physical, emotional, and mental state.” Nothing uplifts like movement. You can do this by taking a walk/drive, going for a run, hitting the gym if you have a membership (if not consider getting one), or just simply dancing (This one is slowly becoming a fav, doesn’t matter that I dance like a monkey on heat, it just feels so good). 

Make Plans

Evaluate the life you’re living now. Are you here as a result of your choices or your fears? If it is fears, you need to start taking more risks (baby steps are fine too). You can’t beat fear? Do it scared. If it is choice, then high-five! Still, evaluate these choices; Is there room for improvement? For your finances, are there expenses you need to cut down on? Are there opportunities to make more income? If not, can you create one? Be flexible but be honest with yourself. Your future may or may not totally depend on it. 

Find God

This should have been number one, but ofcourse I have to save the best for last. It doesn’t matter what religion you believe in, like I said at the beginning, only God can help us. If you’re still on the fence on God (notice I didn’t say religion this time) you’re missing out on a lot. Whether you like it or not, you can’t do it on your own. You need forces greater than you and beyond your control on your side if you hope to have any chance at not just surviving but thriving. And by forces, I mean the creator of the universe and everything that exists within it. There’s only so much we are capable of. Do your part and leave the rest. And may God come through for us. 

And there, that’s all the help I have for today. Which ones are you trying? Do you have other ways of managing stress you would like to share? Let me know in the comments. God bless Nigeria 🇳🇬 

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