Why I Disappeared in Nigeria for 5 Months… The Full Truth | EfikZara
Zara is back on CurlyNikki! She’s a fabulous naturalista who shares her natural hair journey with her followers. That includes more than 168K subscribers on her EfikZara YouTube channel!
The pandemic and our mental health
An August to September 2021 survey conducted by the American Psychological Association found an increased demand for mental health services in the US.
The psychologists who were surveyed reported an increase in excess of 80% in the demand for treatment of anxiety disorders. In terms of treatment for depression, 72% of the psychologists saw an increase in demand for their services.
Now, we all know mental health was getting increased attention since before the pandemic. The stigma of talking about our mental health and seeking help for mental health issues was slowly being eroded (a positive step in the right direction!)
The pandemic, however, has escalated the stressors we have had to face and Zara shares her own coping strategies with us.
The pandemic and our financial health
One of the biggest stressors we faced is the havoc wreaked on our finances in the past couple of years. Pivoting has become a skill we had to master, as well as the skill of recognizing our own burnout, and deciding to do something about it before the damage becomes irreparable. Hence, the Great Resignation.
Creatives and entertainers (of whom Zara is both) felt the loss of income quite profoundly. She explains the effect on her and what the experience has taught her about the importance of financial health.
Why I Disappeared in Nigeria for 5 Months… The Full Truth | EfikZara
Totally relatable, right? What are your views on how our mental, emotional, and financial health has been affected by the events of the past two years? We’d like to know!
If you would like to practice meditation as a way of self-love and self-care, and to assist with how you cope with stressors, be sure to join Curly Nikki each morning on her podcast, Go(o)d Mornings with CurlyNikki. It’s a dope self-care ritual you’ve got to be a part of!
And, stay tuned – we have more coming up from EfikZara on her decision to move to Nigeria. She tells us all about the upsides and downsides of pulling up roots in the US and journeying to the country her parents were born in!
A young woman of many talents, Zara (popularly known as EfikZara) is a professional violinist and composer. Aside from her primary career, Zara is a cinematographer with more than 17 years of experience. She is also a passionate healthy hair advocate with over 12 years of experience caring for her natural hair and the natural hair of her loved ones.
Get more hair and beauty tips from Zara on CurlyNikki, HERE!
