S-tress? Not a problem.

Recently, i gave a talk to graduating students of Accountancy at University of Mindanao. I was invited by my cousin Jane to talk about "Stress Management". I am in the spa industry and that's one of our main thing in the industry.

It was a great experience and it's quiet challenging to get their attention. One, i'm not far their age.. so it could be just like a case of... "we know what you know." and they could be rolling their eyes. I stammered during the first few minutes and I was laughing about it because I was currently under stress. Haha.

But, with a few humor here and there I got their attention and I was at ease. It was my first time to come up with a "Stress Management" module. I got an outline online and added a few things here and there from my experience.

Psychologists would say we all need stress.... but, my spiritual gurus say... we can always choose not to create stress in our life. So, I just gave the college students the basics... it's hard enough to manage stress what more eliminating it in your life?

Although, its not exactly THAT hard to eliminate stress.. but with the programs we have... it's gonna be mighty challenging. :)

The following are my steps to managing stress..... although I know everyone knows about this.... but we might all be needing a lil review noh? :)

1.) Find a Support - a friend, mentor, minister, councilor.... to talk to. :)

2.) Get organized - arrange the clutter in your room or work area to think clearly.

3.) Take breaks, give yourself "me" time - get at least 10-15 minute break to power nap, or listen to soothing songs in your mp3 players or ipod, take a walk, anything to give you a break mentally..

4.) Take good care of yourself - eat properly, get a good rest... allow yourself to do something you enjoy each day... :) sometimes, when we feel stressed we tend to do the opposite. Hydrate yourself... :)

5.) Get regular exercise - blow off the steam and release it through excercise. This will relieve some symptoms of depression and stress. But, don't overdo it! Too much of something is bad... 45 mins. to an hour a day would be great! :)

6.) Get a hobby, do something different - add some spice in your life and do something you haven't done yet that you sure would enjoy. sign up for dance lessons, or voice lessons. Go to that film making class or photography class...

7.) Slow Down - the journey is the destination.. relax.... don't live in a hurry, curry life.... enjoy the moment. stop, and smell the coffee....

8.) Laugh, use humor - watch funny movies, be with your friends who makes you laugh, surround yourself with laughter... but a bit of advice... don't laugh at anybody's expense. if you must, laugh about yourself... it is strength beyond measure.

9.) Keeping a Diary - or a BLOG! hehe. I'm sure to some.. blogging is part of their stress management program (its part of mine!). :) Veryyy effective. It keeps me sane.. and it helps me live in the moment and cherish what happened in the past... :)

10.) Learn to relax - Get a massage!!! Go to our spa (Angel of Water Wellness Center) haha. or the nearest spa near you.... :) Do visualization techniques... deep breathing.... relax.. relax... use your different sense: touch, taste, smell, sight and sound.

for touch: get a massage, get a warm bath, go for a swim, change into comfy clothes...

for taste: eat a comforting meal, eat healthy food, sip your choice of herbal tea, drink fine wine with friends not Red Horse , ok ?? :)

for smell: smell lavender or chamomile, don on your favorite perfume or scent, shop for flowers, breathe the fresh air, light a scented candle..

for sight: watch a funny movie, read a good book, watch the clouds, watch the horizon...

for sound: listen to calm, classical music or something instrumental (it's good for your brain waves), sing to yourself, say positive affirmations for yourself, play your favorite musical instrument... if you know how to. hehe. or ask someone to play it for you. Ji Hoo from BOF would come in handy.. haha. :)

I guess that's about it. I'm sure... there are lots and lots of ways to manage stress...

You? What do you do when you are stressed? I'd love to hear from you.... :)