As the world marks International Women’s Day 2026, experts have urged female journalists—especially those reporting on health—to prioritise self-care and lifestyle medicine to safeguard their physical and mental wellbeing.
Speaking at a webinar by the Health Writers Association of Nigeria (HEWAN) themed “Resilient Reporting: Mental Wellbeing for the Modern Female Journalist”, veteran journalist Ifeyinwa Omowole highlighted the importance of sleep, exercise, hobbies, and supportive networks for balancing newsroom stress. She also noted that women approaching menopause should pay special attention to their health to protect mental wellness.
Consultant psychiatrist Dr Maymunah Kadiri warned that health reporters face burnout, moral injury, and compassion fatigue due to repeated exposure to traumatic stories. She urged journalists to practise self-compassion and set boundaries to prevent stress overload.
The MD/CEO of Pinnacle Medical Services Ltd. stressed that lifestyle medicine—incorporating nutrition, exercise, and stress management—is key to sustaining a healthy work-life balance for female reporters.
HEWAN President Vivian Ihechu celebrated women in media for their resilience, professionalism, and critical role in shaping public health narratives, calling them “architects of our community’s progress”.
The session served as a clarion call for female journalists to protect their wellbeing while continuing to drive impactful reporting.
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