WARRI – Dr. Uzo Israel ,a consultant clinical psychologist has advocated what she termed “Relaxation And Water Therapy” as the most effective ways of managing stress especially in a pandemic.

Speaking during a one day webinar on the topic “Managing Stress , Trauma And Other Psychological /Mental Health Challenges In The Coverage Of Pandemics And Crisis Situations” , Dr. Israel said, both water and relaxation therapies were cheap and without any side effects.

The webinar organised for journalists by the International Press Centre (IPC) with the support of the International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX) , Dr. Israel said , stress should be seen as part of human existence but however advised participants to always have positive attitude about life, as according to her, having a negative attitude has adverse effect on the health of every individual.

She said, the Covid 19 pandemic , especially the lockdown period saw an increase rate in metabolic diseases rather than the infectious disease itself.

“People were coming down with cardiovascular disease, mental health issues , indigestion, high blood pressure,low blood pressure, ulcers, which , was fuelld by stress, because people were apprehensive about contracting the disease rather than the disease itself.

“During the lockdown, people were not allowed to go out, even when you see people that you would ordinarily greet with warm embrace, you were scared . That fear in itself, was affecting people negatively.”

The University Don while admonishing journalists on the need to take responsibility for their health, also emphasized adequate and quality rest as well as frequently drinking of clean portable water.

“Unfortunately, we don’t emphasize drinking of water in this country.
When you go abroad, during summer , they emphasize regular drinking of water .
As you are entering the train , you hear announcement, reminding you not to forget your bottle of water; and their summer is like the AC in my office.

“But we that live in a sweltry environment don’t drink enough water. Infact, everyone should learn the habit of going about with a bottle of water sipping it frequently because of our weather.”

Dr. Uzo while taking particpants through various relaxation techniques which included tension scanning, diaphragmatic or breathing exercise, regular physical exercises (tailored to suit individuals), restful sleep, meditation, number counting during tension or insomnia, managing emotions as well as good nutrition, concluded by saying,
” Research has shown that relaxation exercises are as effective as using tranquilizers in stress management.”

Other facilitators during the webinar included, Mr.Gillo Cutrupi of IFEX, who lectured journalists on the need safeguard their devices and data, as well as avoiding dangerous websites that could negatively impact on their data and devices; and Mr. Fisayo Soyombo writer , investigative journalist and editor, Foundation for Investigative Journalists, who spoke on the theme” Safety /Best Practice In The Investigation, Coverage of Dangerous Assignments”.

Earlier in his opening remarks, the Executive Director of the International Press Centre (IPC), Lanre Arogundade, while welcoming participants to the webinar, said it was a part of a two-part event comprising two webinars on “Safety, Security & Management Of Trauma In Covering Of Dangerous Assignments” organised for journalists in the northern and southern parts of the country and stakeholders forum on the state of press freedom in the country.

Speaking further, IPC Executive Director, said the activity was one component of a project on enhanced safety awareness for Nigeria journalists being implemented by the IPC with IFEX, a global network of organizations that promotes and defends the right to freedom of expression and information.

Arogundade said,
“This workshop is expected to enhance capacity to manage difficult safety challenges while carrying out our work. Participating journalists are expected to be able to practice with increased confidence and manage dangerous situations .

“when the media is constantly attacked and intimidated, the society suffers information scarcity. Government, civil society, businesses, and individuals all loose when the media cannot do it’s job of bringing reliable information to the public.”

Speaking further, he said, the training became imperative because the
importance of journalists’ safety cannot be over emphasized, especially since journalists have to face the challenge of publicising information in a new and challenging but repressive environment, despite being poorly equipped and in some cases having limited knowledge and skills.

Participant were drawn from the print, broadcast, online journalists,and bloggers among whom were journalists assaulted or harassed in different ways in the course of covering the current Covid -19 pandemic in the southern States of Nigeria