Stress also termed as a “silent killer” is of growing concern for Ghanaian employees’ in general and journalists working in the print and electronic media in particular.
Afia Pokua popularly known as Vim Lady disclosed the cause of death of her colleague, Kwadwo Asare Baffour Acheampong (KABA) as attributable to the stressful nature of their job.
However most organizations do not have a policy for managing stress.
Stress is termed as a “silent killer” and excessive stress in the human body has connections with various illnesses such as ulcers, asthma, chronic headaches, hypertension, coronary heart diseases and the like.
It also contributes to improper eating habits such as underrating or overeating. Excessive stress has also serious effects on the immune system by reducing its efficiency. Excessive stress also has connections with lifestyle diseases also such as stroke, obesity, type-2 diabetes, and diseases associated with smoking, alcohol intake and drug use.
In addition to all the stress management techniques known by employees of organizations such as relaxation, music and the like, the Ghana Journalist Association (GJA) should enforce the creation of Counseling/Health Promotion Unit in all media houses. This would enable the professionals in such units deal with any stress related and life-style conditions being experienced by journalists who work with such organizations.
Secondly, often times some radio shows in the electronic media run for long hours such that the hosts of those programs fail to take some breaks. Producers of such shows should enforce such regular breaks so that the host can rest in-between the programs.
Most media houses organise physical exercises once a while in their organizations. Exercises should be made regular, maybe twice a month in their organizations. This would help in effective blood circulation, keep employees fit and divert their minds from the pressure of work.
Besides, the counseling/Health promotion unit should encourage healthy lifestyles in their media houses. Eating of junk foods should be discouraged and the eating of balanced diet enforced.
Samuel Yawson Clinical Sports Psychologist(KNUST-Kumasi).
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