By Azeez Disu

Wellness experts and renowned business executives in the country have urged women to be intentional about their mental health and also be strategic about reducing burnout as part of a strategy to live a healthy life which will enable them to be able to contribute meaningfully to the development of their workplace and the society.

They made this known at the second edition of Colours of Well-Being with the theme “The Impact of Burnout on Women within the Workforce: Challenges and Solutions” held recently at the Centre Point Tower, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Tolu Oko-Igaire, Executive Director, Institute of Counseling in Nigeria and the President of the Association for Counseling, Matchmaking & Psychotherapy of Nigeria (ACMPN) said that people can be productive and contribute to the development of society if they are deliberate about their mental health and managing burnout.

She explained “You are not going to be automatically fine if you are not deliberate about your mental health”

Oko-Igaire added that how people respond to burnout matters and can help them regain their well-being. She says, “It is not what is happening to you that is causing burnout but how you respond to it.”

She urged employers to create an enabling environment for their employees to reduce the trend of burnout and employees should love their job and create a healthy balance between their work and life.  This they can achieve by prioritizing their well-being which includes emotional, social, spiritual, cognitive, physical, and sexual well-being.

Prioritization of health and wellness was emphasized at the event by the experts which the Founder of Citisquare Africa and Convener of the event, Uche Nnama said was one of the reasons why the event was conceptualized.

He revealed that “During the pandemic, people who had a lot of money in their banks were even praying for their health, people were scared and health was prioritized and I said to myself if people could think of well-being from this perspective and that is why we came up with this programmme. We said we must carry this initiative to the next level and we must begin to educate people on how they can begin to prioritize their well-being.”

During the panel session moderated by Lehle Balde, Award-Wining Journalist, and Financial Inclusion Advocate, the experts spoke extensively and shared insights on strategies to curbing burnout. Omon Anenih,  Founder and CEO,  The DEW Center said burnout doesn’t happen overnight and it comes with some symptoms, urging women to reduce stress, relax, exercise regularly, read books about mental health and burnout, and consult wellness experts.  

On her part, Stephanie Coker Aderinokun, TV Host Actor, and Producer urged women to prioritize their activities, create time to rest, and learn to say no to some engagements like nightlife and other social gatherings that are not necessary at a time or could have negative implication on the health of the person.

Furthermore, Yinka Adebayo, Group Executive Director, Media Investments,  mediaReach Omnicom Media Group tasked women at the workplace to understand when they are experiencing burnout and work within their pace while urging company owners and leaders to support staff who are experiencing burnout and prioritize the well-being of all their staffs by providing enabling environment.

Dr. Itunu Akinware, Group Managing Director, Medbury Healthcare explained that women are often under pressure at work and home which could lead to burnout while Mrs. Sherese Ijewere,  Clinical Nutrition Consultant advised women to live a healthy lifestyle and pay attention to their health.“As women we have to stay ahead of our health,” she stated.

Oluyemi Oloyede, MD/CEO, UAC Foods Limited revealed that his organization prioritizes the well-being of its staff including that of women by giving them the opportunity to access free counseling and wellness experts among other initiatives.  He therefore urged companies to be deliberate about the mental health and well-being of their staff to enable them to deliver optimal results.

Remarkably, aside from expert-led panel discussion sessions, the event had lined up activities which included Wellness Sessions, Strategic Networking Sessions, Exquisite Culinary Experience, Comedy with Kenny Blaq, and After Party with DJ Anonymous.

Noteworthy, the Colours of Well-Being is designed to help people cultivate the habits that enhance their daily life and well-being.