Mendoza: Conquering stress at work

DIRECTOR'S Cut: (This portion features the thoughts of DepEd 11 Regional Director Susana Teresa B. Estigoy, Ceso IV to all stakeholders and recipients of the efforts to improve the basic education) I do not consider my job as plain work --- rather it is my LIFE. We have to continually examine what succeeds and fails, and why. We have to uphold and live true to our battlecry and slogan of governance: Education For All (EFA) 2015: Karapatan ng Lahat, Pananagutan ng Lahat

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Stress-free inner self is synonymous to work productivity.

Stress according to http://www.stress-relief-articles.com/ is a daily occurrence in life, generally, but stress at work can drastically impact our overall output and the way in which we view ourselves at work. The website further stated that it can affect our comfort levels, productivity, and overall safety at our job which, in turn, can affect our fellow employees. That is why they opined that learning to handle stress at work is an important skill, because it could save our life.

The website, however, emphasized that we cannot learn to handle stress simply by reading an article or a book about stress relief. What we need is dedication and inner strength to achieve that special peace about ourselves that will enable us to take life's craziness and insanity and create our own special place. Having a special place is important because the self is important. The concept of self merely refers to the notion of ensuring that we are in working order as a human being and that our faculties function to the greatest human potential, which enables us to contribute to society as a whole instead of as a sum of our parts.

Those things that we learn from the books and seminars about fighting stress should be an enabler of our own inner peace and will help comprise a generous, gentle inner spirit that will help shed some light on what causes our stress in particular and what can assist us in minimizing the harmful effects. The website concluded that preventing stress at work and elsewhere should be to create a more in tune, vice-free body to help handle stress when it comes about properly.

To do something about stress, http://hubpages.com/ suggested these five tips: 1) Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, visualization, progressive muscle relaxation, meditation, and yoga can help you deal effectively with stress 2) Take time for yourself. 3) Try to be actively involved with your kids in sports, plays, and school functions. 4) Do aerobic exercise, walking or swimming 5) Talk to your local doctor who will be able to help with problems of high blood pressure and depression.

With all the negative connotations attached to the word stress, http://www.howtofightstress.com/ stated that it is certainly hard to see it in a positive light. The website clarified that not all stress is bad. Some amount of stress is necessary to lead a normal life and for some people, it is a reminder that makes them do their best.

An important lesson to be learned here is that stress can be controlled and made to work FOR us, instead of AGAINST us. There are a number of people for whom stress is as much a part of life as air, water and food but they are not moved by it.

These people manage their stress in such a way that it helps boost their performance. Apparently, they kind of lack all the symptoms of stress. And these are exactly the people must look for. These people can be called Natural Stress Managers.

The website further advised that if we have to find a single best, one-size-fits-all solution to reduce stress, it has to be laughter. Laughter is the purest form of human expression that transcends all ages, castes, creeds, religions and other differences.

Time and again, research has shown that laughter is the best medicine. It lowers our blood pressure, reduces stress hormones, and boosts your immune system. These, as you might know, are characteristics of a stress free body. Laughter is a natural killer of stress because it loosens the body and makes us feel carefree.

The most important thing that laughter does to us is causing movement. It makes us shake, move and giggle. This helps relax the body and releases endorphins the natural painkillers in the body. Combine this with the greater intake and use of oxygen in the body and we have the perfect recipe for relaxation and stress reduction.

At this stage, be happy in fighting stress. (Part II of this topic on Monday, September 13, 2010 issue)

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You can access DepED Updates, latest issuances and other relevant information through our website: http://www.deped.gov.ph. For comments, suggestions and/or contributions, email me at renzthescribe@gmail.com. For queries, complains and other concerns, call DepED Region 11 at (082) 227-9342 or fax to (082) 227-1102 and (082) 221-6147.

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Mr. Lorenzo E. Mendoza, M.A. is connected with DepEd Regional Office 11 and currently on study leave.