An African woman in a thoughtful and worrisome posture
In recent days, global headlines
about Nigeria, ranging from allegations to threats, have stirred deep emotions
both at home and abroad. Beyond the politics, these stories affect how we feel,
think, and hope as a nation.
Anxiety, fear, and uncertainty can quietly settle into our hearts just like
toxins in our bodies.
As someone who writes about holistic wellness, I believe that peace of mind and
national stability are connected; when one is shaken, the other struggles to
thrive.
Today, I step briefly beyond the kitchen to reflect on what this moment means
for our collective well-being, and how we can stay grounded even when the world
feels unsettled.
Understanding the Issue
Recently, former U.S. President
Donald Trump accused Nigeria of failing to protect its Christian citizens and
threatened to take military action if the Nigerian government did not respond.
He also proposed labeling Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern”
under U.S. law, a classification that implies a government is tolerating or
participating in serious violations of religious freedom.
While there is undeniable violence
in some parts of Nigeria caused by insurgency, banditry, and ethnic conflict, many
observers and policy experts argue that this issue is far more complex than a
simple religious narrative.
Both Christians and Muslims have been victims of terrorism and insecurity.
The Nigerian government has repeatedly denied the accusation of religious
intolerance, insisting that its efforts are aimed at restoring security, not
targeting any faith.
Still, such international headlines
can create a ripple effect of fear, stigma, and uncertainty.
They affect how other nations view us, how investors behave, and even how
citizens perceive their own safety and identity.
The Psychology of National Anxiety
We often talk about personal
anxiety, but national anxiety is
real, the collective stress people feel when a country faces political
instability or external threat.
It manifests in subtle ways: sleepless nights, pessimism about the future,
tension between social groups, and emotional fatigue.
When global narratives portray your nation as unsafe or intolerant, it can
erode citizens’ confidence and mental health.
For the average Nigerian family, it
translates into constant worry, not only about insecurity, but about how their
country is perceived.
As the world debates our future, we begin to internalize fear, guilt, or
frustration.
And that emotional burden, if left unchecked, slowly drains the vitality that
communities need to grow.
From Politics to Wellness
So what does all this have to do with wellness, and what does it have to do with the kitchen?
Everything.
Wellness is not only about what we
eat; it’s also about what we absorb through our environment, our media, and our
emotional responses.
When political anxiety dominates the airwaves, it can feel like an invisible
toxin in our atmosphere.
Just as we detoxify our bodies with clean food, we must detoxify our minds with
calm, compassion, and truth.
In times of national tension, our
kitchens can once again become centers
of grounding, where we find comfort in simple acts: cooking, sharing
meals, and caring for one another.
Preparing food mindfully, with gratitude and community, can be a form of
emotional therapy.
Every shared meal becomes an act of resistance against fear.
Food, Faith, and Resilience
Nigeria’s history is rich with
stories of endurance through hardship.
From the millet fields of the north to the yam barns of the south, our
ancestors survived droughts, wars, and scarcity, often by coming together to
share what little they had.
Food became not only nourishment but solidarity.
When we sit to eat together, regardless
of tribe, faith, or political view, we remember something deeper: that our
common humanity is stronger than our differences.
This is why the African kitchen has always been more than a physical space; it
is a sanctuary where faith, family, and resilience meet.
In moments of fear or division,
returning to those cultural roots can restore emotional balance.
Cooking together, praying together, and sharing food are ways to remind
ourselves that hope still lives within our communities.
Wellness Leadership in Times of Crisis
True leadership is not just about
managing policies; it is about managing energy
and emotion.
Leaders, teachers, parents, and community voices have a role to play in
maintaining calm and clarity.
Instead of spreading panic or blame, we can choose to spread perspective.
Here are simple wellness-leadership actions we can all practice:
- Pause before reacting to alarming headlines. Verify information from multiple sources.
- Speak with empathy. When others are angry or afraid, listen first.
- Be a voice of reason in your workplace, church, or community.
- Practice gratitude. It’s impossible to be both grateful and fearful at the same time.
- Nourish yourself. Eat whole foods, rest, and limit your news intake when it becomes overwhelming.
Emotional maturity is as essential
to national health as economic stability.
A calm population makes wise decisions.
A hopeful nation heals faster than a fearful one.
Peacebuilding as a Form of Wellness
When a nation faces external
criticism, its citizens often feel defensive or discouraged.
But peacebuilding starts with self-awareness.
Ask yourself: What can I do to make my small corner of the world more
peaceful today?
- You can speak kindly instead of spreading rumors.
- You can mentor a young person who feels disillusioned.
- You can pray or meditate for peace in your community.
- You can support local farmers and small businesses to strengthen the economy from the ground up.
Healing happens when ordinary
citizens choose calm over chaos.
Just as the body heals cell by cell, a nation heals act by act.
Closing Reflection: From the Wellness Kitchen
From where I stand, in the quiet of
my kitchen, stirring a pot of soup. I am reminded that wellness encompasses not
only physical health but also emotional alignment.
Nations, like people, can fall ill when they are consumed by fear or division.
But every home has the power to become a center of healing.
When we choose compassion over
conflict, we nourish peace.
When we cook and share food in love, we remind ourselves that life is still
sacred, community still matters, and the future is still worth building.
A Happy and hopeful community cultivating vegetables
So let us continue to pray, cook,
reflect, and act, not as divided citizens of a troubled world, but as healers
of a shared humanity.
That, to me, is the true spirit of The Wellness Kitchen:
healing one home, one heart, and one
nation at a time.
Dr. Ndalnamu’s Wellness Diary
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