Nigerian wellness coach Maje Ayida has offered candid insights into navigating dark emotional spaces and the critical importance of self-reliance for men’s mental health.
Speaking on News Central TV’s Jasiri on Friday, Ayida shared his journey of healing after a public divorce, highlighting practical strategies that helped him recover.
Addressing the emotional aftermath, public attention, and scrutiny of his divorce, Ayida stressed the profound lack of external support many men face in dealing with mental health challenges.
“The truth of the matter is that the help just isn’t there. So a lot of men are on their own. You’ve got to pull yourself out yourself,” he stated.
His path to recovery involved extensive research into the “human condition” and a conscious effort to fully process his experiences, gaining a deeper understanding of his role and accountability in the situation.
Ayida then focused on the “journey out,” emphasising the power of consistent routines and habits. He credited exercise as a “lifesaver,” explaining that physical activity helps to ground one in the present moment and activates the body’s natural healing mechanisms.
“Rooting myself in routines kind of set me up for successes because if you can achieve one small thing, you wake up in the morning, you get out of bed, you pray, you do your exercise, you’ve achieved something already,” he remarked, echoing the sentiment of building success through small, consistent wins. This daily discipline, he found, positively impacted his mental state, gradually rebuilding his self-esteem and self-reliance.
He highly recommends this approach to everyone, emphasising the body’s remarkable ability to influence mental well-being.
Ayida urged men facing challenges to critically assess fundamental aspects of their lifestyle before resorting to “extreme treatments” like heavy medication.
He posed key questions for self-reflection: “Are you sleeping enough? Are you eating well? Are you eating right? Are you exercising? Are you getting your steps in? How are you processing stress? How are you thinking about things?”
Ayida concluded by suggesting that neglecting physical activity, in particular, might hinder one’s overall well-being, advocating for a holistic approach to mental health that leverages the body’s inherent capacities for healing.
