A medical expert, Mrs Agnes Donatus, has urged women to prioritise adequate rest to protect their health and reduce the risk of depression and hypertension.
Donatus gave the advice on Saturday at the first Women Convention of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Divine Favour Zone, Kurudu, Abuja.
She said many women neglected rest while trying to balance family responsibilities, careers and businesses, warning that excessive stress could have serious health consequences.
“If you fail to rest and you collapse and die, that work will not end,” she said.
According to her, women often multitask by managing their homes, pursuing careers and running businesses, sometimes ignoring warning signs of deteriorating health.
Donatus described depression as a mental health condition characterised by persistent sadness and loss of interest in activities.
She identified trauma, bereavement, financial difficulties and stress as possible causes of depression, with symptoms including hopelessness, fatigue and loss of interest.
She also described hypertension as persistently elevated blood pressure and warned that uncontrolled hypertension could lead to serious complications, including stroke.
She advised women, particularly breastfeeding mothers, to accept assistance with household chores and allow themselves adequate rest.
She noted that childbirth involved blood and fluid loss, making sufficient rest important for recovery.
Donatus urged women not to neglect their health in the name of spirituality, stressing the importance of regular medical check-ups and healthy lifestyle choices.
She recommended a balanced diet, reduced salt intake, regular exercise and seeking support when overwhelmed.
Earlier, a physiotherapist, Mrs Laraba Idowu, said menopause was a natural stage of life rather than a disease.
Idowu explained that menopause was confirmed after a woman had gone 12 consecutive months without menstruation, usually between the ages of 45 and 55.
She identified hot flushes, mood swings, joint pain and sleep disturbances among its symptoms.
She advised women to maintain a balanced diet, exercise regularly and seek professional guidance on supplements, including calcium, vitamin D and omega-3.
Speaking on the convention’s theme, “The Power of a Woman Who Knows Her God,” the pastor’s wife, Mrs Temitope Joseph, said women should recognise the importance of maintaining good health.
Citing Daniel 11:32 and Jeremiah 30:17, Joseph said a healthy woman had the strength to care for her family, pursue her career and serve God.
The Women Leader, Mrs Roseline Ogonenwe, thanked participants for attending and urged them to apply the knowledge gained during the convention.
She described women as vital instruments in the hands of God.
