Stress busters

It’s that time of the year when people who are in stress-filled jobs get additional demands – more stress!  Aside from our deadlines – and writing demands, for us editors, to fill up our pages or when requested by clients – we now have multiple invitations on certain dates, for lunches and dinners.  Not to mention company launchings and press conferences that comprises our yearlong obligations. Ordinarily, I seldom refer to my appointment book but I do it almost daily these days. Otherwise, I would end up attending a function a day before its schedule!

What to do to survive the stress-filled weeks before the holidays?  Yoga practitioners would step up for their advocacy.  And it is true – yoga eases all kinds of mental and bodily knots.  However, it demands constancy and time. Two items I can  ill afford.

Another handy solution is taking time out – for just 10 – 15 minutes – right at the top of your day to be by yourself.  No mobile phones, no other people, no noise! Just keep in touch with your innermost persona. Silence. Be still. If a shaded area helps, then be there.  Best to do this after you get out of bed, before bath and breakfast.

Take short breaks throughout the day, when the opportunity arises.  It may be a minute to look out the window and appreciate the flowers in the garden or a moment to smile at the co-worker across your table.  It can mean getting up from your computer and walking over to the other department to change the momentum of your work pace.  Changing your focus can mean a better perspective when you get back to your work.

Driving is another stress buster, as long as you don’t get into traffic jams. Thus, a leisurely drive along the Trans-Central Highway can mean breathing fresh air while enjoying the green surroundings.

Going on a weekend jaunt to a secluded beach is balm for a weary soul.  Try going down south and get off when you see an uninhabited area.  Make sure you ask around first, at the nearest hut, if you can swim at the place.  Better choice is the beaches at Moalboal where you can have the convenience of people cooking for you and a place to freshen up after the swim.

There are a number of mountain resorts now.  Take your pick.  Some are within  pristine forested areas and even a spring-sourced swimming pool.  For those that are not yet known, prices for accommodation and food can still be quite reasonable. 

Buying Christmas gifts must never be a December undertaking!  For me, I buy my Christmas gifts throughout the year.  When I see something nice and priced right, I buy two or three.  While shopping abroad, I get items that I save for Christmas.  During store sales (on their anniversaries or whatnot), I purchase items that I know I can gift friends and relatives.  This way, one will just go through one’s stored hoard when December comes around.  Last minute grabbing of whatever is available will be avoided and the possibility of going beyond budget. This also makes me ready with a gift for any occasion, anytime.

If you are saddled with a Christmas list until now, I suggest you do your shopping by batches.  For example:  gifts for very special people, meaning more expensive and more thought-out items, you go to upscale specialty stores for this.  Then gifts for children and teenagers; for office mates – mall sales are best times to buy. Gifts for your service providers – hairdresser, manicurista, dressmaker, fruit vendor, et. al. – you can forage the night markets ongoing during December.  By buying in batches, you simplify choices and manage your shopping time.

Most of all, the best stress buster for me is prayer.  When an onslaught of problems overwhelms me, I take time out to prayer.  Faith is an abiding source of strength that we must never take for granted.

A blessed Christmas season with your loved ones, dear readers!