De-stressing stress

IN OUR storied existence, we experience various incidents that cause stress and emotional strain to our physique and mental countenance. Some of the stress we wittingly inflict on ourselves, especially when we brood over things inconsequential and trivial. As usual, we are on the receiving end: worry lines, sagging flesh and clueless look.

We often see and observe that the normal conclusion of over stress is depression, viewed by experts as an "illness" and is observed on mothers as in post partum depression and on soldiers who undergo debriefing and psychiatric treatment after prolonged tours of duty especially from strife-torn countries like Iraq and Afghanistan and of late, Algeria and Somalia.

Just what is stress? A look at the search engine on Internet (MedicineNet.com) discloses that stress is "simply a fact of nature - forces from the inside and the outside world affecting the individual x x x because of the overabundance of stress in our modern lives, we usually think of stress as negative experience, but from a biological point of view, stress can be neutral, negative or positive experience."

The quote continues: stress is related to both external and internal factors. External factors include the physical environment, including one's job, relationships with others, home and all the situations, challenges, difficulties and expectations one is confronted with on a daily basis. Internal factors determine our body's ability to respond to, and deal with, the external stress-inducing factors. Internal factors, as studies showed, include nutritional status, overall health and fitness levels, emotional well-being and amount of sleep and rest one gets. The latter phrase explicitly explains the pragmatic solution to stress. Others claim that in order to overcome stress, one has to live comfortably: enough money, orderly family and civic life and a gratifying career.

As mentioned in the earlier multiple choice, the positive approach counters effects of stress which, if weighed heavily, can lead to depression and to, well, who knows where? Violence perhaps? Suicide or self-inflictment of harm and punishment and other masochistic acts?

No wonder experts recommend sticking to positive mental attitude to counter balance tendencies to wallow in self-pity and other causes of massive and deep depression. I'd say it is in the individual's handling of situations that may spell the crucial "crossing" over the depression bridge. If he handles them at levelheadedness, he crosses it breezingly. If he doesn't, the result may be disastrous, disadvantageous or downright embarrassing.

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In a few days, Mabalacat City will observe its city fiesta on February 1 and 2, yes, under its new status. The festivities will center at Barangay Poblacion, headed by Punong Barangay Mar Tiglao and considerable activities are lined up for the celebration, some shepherded by impressario par excellance Jun Magbalot. By this time, the emerging Miss Mabalacat City 2013 and her crown will have been known.

City Mayor Marino "Boking" Morales is, as usual, in his effusive self, cheering on. I can only predict a large, colorful city fiesta celebration, the first for that matter, in Mabalacat City!

--oo0oo--

Cherry Manalo, the incumbent member of the Sangguniang Panlungsod and a consistent topnotcher in previous electoral contests, may have the edge to occupy the vacant seat as Board Member for the first district of Pampanga, if her closest rival, Dr. Oscar R. Aurelio, loosens his grip in the race. Both are known hard workers and have hearts working for the masa.

Of course, incumbent board member Cris Garbo is seeded in the race for the two seats, one of which was vacated by the late Tars DC Halili.

Mabalacat City deserves only the best officials, this, its electorate should take note of and will vote on.