Health
Experts Urge Female Journalists To Embrace Self-care, Lifestyle Medicine
By Kemi Akintokun
In commemoration of 2026 International Women’s Day (IWD) 2026, some experts have urged female journalists, especially health reporters, to embrace self-care and lifestyle medicine to ensure their physical and mental wellbeing.
The experts spoke at a webinar organised by the Health Writers Association of Nigeria (HEWAN) to commemorate the 2026 IWD.
The programme had the theme “Resilient Reporting: Mental Wellbeing for the Modern Female Journalists”.
Speaking at the webinar, Mrs Ifeyinwa Omowole, a veteran Journalist and the Head of Lagos Operations, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said female journalists must prioritise their mental wellbeing to function effectively.
Omowole, a former National President of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), spoke on the topic: “Striking a Balance: Mental Health Emotional Intelligence and Success in the Newsroom”.
The women and child rights advocate, highlighted the need to engage in self-care habits, hobbies, and community engagement, among others to balance mental health and newsroom success.
“When we talk about emotional health, women sometimes don’t remember that they are the keeper of themselves.
“We can manage stress individually or as a group for better results, if we practise self-care habits by getting enough sleep, regular walk or stretching, spending time with supportive group like HEWAN.
“If we are physically and mental healthy, it will reduce our reduce our stress, improve our general wellbeing and help us to balance work as women journalists,” she said.
She added that women should take cognisance of their health as they approached menopause, noting that if not properly managed, it could affect their mental health.
” We can’t talk about our mental health without talking about menopause because many people in their 40s are talking about menopause.
“For some women, menopause is setting in fast and we need to take things easy and adjust to some of the changes that occur,” she said.
Also, Dr Maymunah Kadiri, a Consultant Psychiatrist, and said over the years, health reporters had helped to change the narratives by bring health information to the public.
Kadiri, a mental health advocate and coach, said that some health reports covered by journalists predisposed them to trauma, hence the need for them to practise self-compassion in order to balance work and personal life.
According to Kadiri, health journalists face three psychological pressure, which are burnout, moral injury and compassion fatigue in the discharge of their duties.
“Health reporters are almost like doctors; they inform the public on health issues and report stories.
“Repeated exposure to trauma stories can trigger their mental health by causing elevated stress, emotional overload, decision fatigue and more.
“They should practise self compassion, identify stress management that work for them and remember, they are the message not the burden bearer,” she said.
The MD/CEO of Pinnacle Medical Services Ltd., who spoke on the topic – “The Invisible Cost of Telling Health Stories”, advised health journalists to always find time to relax and sleep after every assignment.
She added that lifestyle medicine was the way to go, urging all female journalists to incorporate it into their self-care routine.
Speaking earlier, Mrs Vivian Ihechu, the President of HEWAN, said the theme of 2026 IWD was a clarion call for decisive action to dismantle systematic barriers that impeded equal justice.
Ihechu, who is the Head of Health Desk, NAN, Lagos, said women remained the backbone of the society in spite the multifaceted challenges they faced in the workplace and the broader society.
She commended women in the media space, especially HEWAN ladies, for their insightful reportage and tirelessly advocacy which had been instrumental in shaping the narrative of and advancing the health sector over the years
She said: “I want to specially celebrate the extraordinary women in the media for their dedication, media professionalism, and resilience.
“You are not just reporting the news; you are driving the change against discriminatory laws, strengthening weak legal protections, and uprooting the harmful social norms that eroded the fundamental rights of women and girls.
“Women are the architects of our community’s progress
“Their ability to balance the sacred responsibilities of the home while excelling in demanding professional careers is a profound demonstration of strength and commitment”.
She reaffirmed HEWAN’s unwavering commitment to supporting every woman in the association and championing initiatives that amplified their voices, recognised sterling achievements, and promoted women’s professional advancement at every level.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Vivian Ihechu
