By Dickson Omobola

Experts in fitness have urged women not to disregard the health benefits of physical exercise, saying it is a major solution to depression.

The experts, including a dance fitness instructor, Mary Furo, and fitness instructor and Choreographer, Esther Morakinyo, also urged women to take a break from whatever mental challenges they are facing, especially through exercises.

They spoke at Mom’s Timeout Fiesta 4.0 themed: ‘Master of Multitasking,’ held at the Silverbird Galleria in Lagos.

Speaking to newsmen at the event, Furo said: “Fitness is one of the major solutions to depression. Some people go to the gym not because they want to work out, but to get things off their mind. Things that have weighed them down.”

On her part, Morakinyo said although women have shown that they are masters of multitasking, the overwhelming nature of what they do can lead to burnouts, stress and depression.

Morakinyo therefore called for support and said more communities should give women the backing they need to surmount such difficult situations.

She said: “There is a lot of responsibility placed in our hands as women. We are always multitasking, often taking care of ourselves and others. There is a saying that when women thrive, the community and the family thrive too. That is why we are empowering women and pushing them to make sure that they are better than who they think they are.

“We bring women into a community of wellness. Mom’s Timeout was born from a woman who silently battled depression. But instead of making her situation consume her, she decided to start a community where she nurtures women going through similar situations. Ours is a safe place where every woman can relate and communicate together.

“Either you are a young woman exploring life or you are a seasoned mom who needs a well-deserved break, this is for you because it is part of the realisation that sometimes all you need is to take a break and take good care of yourself.”

Meanwhile, Emmanuella Omache further urged parents to instill the right mindset in their children, saying it is important in ensuring gender equality in society.

She said: “I think it is a continuous thing, it is not something that can be achieved within a short time. I think it starts from us parents as we raise our children because society is a reflection of what we have done at home. It is creating consciousness and equality at home. If we do our jobs well at home by making sure that both male and female children have the right mindset, then society will eventually get better.”