MANAGING STRESS

(Sharing this article which I have written for the DILG in November 2018. Hope this can help those going through stress)

Stressed?  Happy thoughts Reinforce Positive Emotions

  

Feeling stressed from the quagmire of problems, family situation, work overload, or traffic?

 

Recent studies in the Philippines identified work, financial worries and studies as among the leading causes of stress brought by negative emotions or mental pressure. Stress, however, is not a disease but the human body’s reaction to any change that requires an adjustment or response.

 

Cognizant of the needs of assisting 1,000 career service employees, contract of service and job orders, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has been conducting seminars on Stress Management for two consecutive years now for the employees to better cope with their respective work pressures.

 

Atty. Gina V. Wenceslao, Chief Appellate Division of the Legal and Legislative Liaison Service (LLLS) said that stress is not an isolated case.  Instead, it is a common experience in every organization or office, but more so in a workplace where there is “no feedback mechanism and no communication.”

 

In a recently concluded seminar-workshop attended by the LLLS personnel in Mariveles, Bataan, the facilitators explained that stress is part of work and can actually be cultivated from negative to right thinking and feeling.

 

The common signs that can be attributed to stress are frequent headaches, tiredness or exhaustion, problem in sleeping, grinding of teeth, upset stomach, increase or loss of appetite, and muscle tensions in the neck, face or shoulders.

 

Atty. Wenceslao shared her insights from the event saying that when an employee feels that he/she is already stressed, then it’s time to  slow down, focus and internalize positive or good thoughts or happy memories in order to emit and convert positive emotions.

 

“It can be done kahit dito sa opisina na bukas ang ating mga mata. For example, I am here at work and I recognized that I am stress, I can put on an inspirational music to redirect my negative feelings into something positive,” she explained.

 

She also shared her practice of having personal meditation at home because it extinguishes negative energy like stress from surfacing. Having good communication among group or family members is also an effective way of pushing stress away. 

 

Rather than entertaining worry, be optimistic. Instead of saying you cannot, say you can do it. Positive reinforcement can surely make people happy and at peace. 

 

So the next time you are going through some stressful situation, redirect your thoughts to something cheerful and bright. The mind is very powerful and positive thoughts always generate positive feelings. This will surely attract some positivity that will help employees deal and cope with workloads and personal issues easily.  As Poppy from the movie Trolls puts it: ###

MISFIT

Photo credit to @google.com

Before lunchtime earlier today. I took a grammar examination, technically to test my aptitude in English grammar and vocabulary as I am applying for an online writing job.

Surprisingly, I was rated with a B2 or upper intermediate level by www.examenglish.com/leveltest. 

However, last week, another company invited me for a scheduled interview. I did not talk much as the interviewer from the HR who was much younger than me was speaking and providing me an insight into the company. She was using Taglish as she spoke. When she was done, she then asked me if I had questions, I replied, "none yet," as I added saying, "I will first try to pass the exam." She then reminded me to submit a written portfolio which I did after the interview. Sadly, to this day, no word received from the interviewer nor the staff who coordinated my previous dealing with the HR officer. 

As an applicant, I see no point in asking questions when I am not yet officially accepted or being offered a job, as I will have no leverage to use to market my service. ​Obviously, my actions at that time earned a corresponding impression on me. ​Whatever that is, it's okay, it doesn't hurt me anyway. Maybe things are not meant for either party, or they see me unfit for the job as I received no message from them. 

I have two decades of experience that I always carry with me wherever I go, and with whatever I do. I never claimed to know everything, in fact with the advancement of technologies I felt I needed to double my effort to be able to cope with the younger talents.

What's the point of saying this? People can easily judge us whether we speak our minds or refrain from talking. We all have our reasons for not voicing what is on our mind, as I earlier said, I find it useless to speak on something when I needed to pass a series of tests and interviews. Therefore, bias should have not been cast against me, just sharing my one-cent thought. #

Presidential Debate

Photo credit to Manika Times 

I have watched the Comelec Presidential Debate online aired around 7 p.m. tonight. I believed every candidate present tried to answer and respond to every question thrown at them by the moderator Luchie Cruz-Valdez.

While I have my personal favorite, I noticed presidential candidate Jose Montemayor Jr., who happens to be a doctor and a lawyer was a disappointment. I think the Comelec should have disqualified Montemayor in the race early on as he would not be able to pull his national candidacy. 

Also, Montemayor appears to be grandstanding from the start of the debate until the end. It was also very evident that he lacked the knowledge necessary for any presidential candidate to see and understand the issue affecting the Filipinos, or Mr. Montemayor just failed to prepare for the debate? He was corrected two or three times by Mayor Isko and rebutted twice by Pacquiao.

On the contrary, I admired the wit and grasp on the national issues shown by Pacquiao despite the absence of outstanding educational background. He obviously did his homework and study well for the debate. 

As for the former National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales, he was so adamant to present his program of governance in case he made it to the presidency, as he believed he was among the unpopular candidates so why waste time? But the fact that he attended the debate, he should have maximize the opportunity, and shown to the Filipinos that he is a better alternative. Meanwhile, for Faisal Mangondato, he could have used the local dialect or english language whichever he is comfortable as he was always short of time explaining in Tagalog/Filipino. 

I also appreciate independent candidate Ernie Abella including his programs and stance on various issues. I hope whoever will win in the presidential derby would also consider the talent of Abella in the cabinet after the one year ban in the appointment. 

Sen. Ping Lacson, as always has been very articulate. I believe he, too must be given a posts in the cabinet in case he don't make it to the elections. As for VP Leni, I am a rooting for her, and the way she carries herself and respond to all the questions speaks very well of her as a leader and as the next best candidate for a president. And to quote VP Leni, "The Best Man for the Job is a Woman," end of quote.

TAEHY/TAE-HEE

Photo credit to @Ichthyeskaye. Check Kaye

Not so long ago when we hooked up as batchmates. That while we were so much different from interests, background and views in life, we built a friendship anchored on companionship. 

I remembered we were at the 7/11 table when you asked me why it was suddenly okay to bond with you? I explicitly answered, "because you made me laugh." And that was really true. But on top of that I was perhaps looking for someone whom I can share my thoughts with at that time I am deeply into your so-called "Diwata". 

Back in 2015, you would hangout at my place until wee hours just talking and playing jokes. When your first birthday came during our early friendship days, I cooked chicken pastel for you since you love chicken. There were days that we would play basketball at Timezone and sometimes seriously talk about love, life and relationships. 

Unknown to many, you are the first friendship of my kind/LGBTQ community as I intentionally avoid the ties before in order to prevent being typecast. While I never denied my preference before, I don't want to be seen with the label but rather me as a person. 

Seven years had gone by, and I am happy that the friendship has grown and remains inspite and despite the odds of time. On Friday, it was a joy seeing you and being with you on your 49th birthday. 

In the last five years, we both have seen our personal lives transition, and in those years you witnessed Iram and I's love story. Thus, we are wishing you the best of life and love, and also the hope that one day our dear God will bless you with someone who will love and accept you for who you are.

Today, as you continue to travel and journey in life, I want you to know that you have a friend in us, not to pamper you with good words but will honestly tell you and help you confront life realities.

Happy birthday, Taehy!🤗 

WALKING

Photo credit @Iram0524. Please check Iram Bueno

As my partner and I recognized that we too are affected mentally, psychologically and physically by the pandemic, last month slowly we started working on our challenges.

We maximized the opportunity by using extra-free off or the holidays by walking at least an hour once or twice a week. Through our own phase, we enjoyed walking as it gives us the opportunity to free our minds. And while it is physically tiring, it really feels good and relaxing not only physically but also mentally.

In our second month, we started to also work on our diet, but I tell you, we definitely are poor on this aspect, as food is our favorite past-time everytime we go out. But honestly, losing weight for me is only a bonus these days, as I do not want to put pressure on myself. What is important for me at the moment is my psychological and mental health. 

This is precisely the reason why I was gone for some time in this blog. I could not go on writing because I am also battling the inner me. Meaning, I could not put more sense in what I do, even with writing that I love the most because I have my personal issues to deal with.

Night walk at Circuit, Makati City. Photo credit to @Iram0524. 

So to others out there, please help yourself. It won't make you less of a person to recognize your issues and try to do some things that will make you feel good and help pull yourself out of that box. 

We could not always depend on others. Yes, you, more than anything and any one, you must first love yourself more than anyone. Unleash yourself, your potential and your issues and live in the present and walk away from that gloomy past and memories.