Feeling good

The sequel to the blockbuster hit movie “Transformers” opens this week all over the world. We can expect much of the same, if not more, of the action-packed sci-fi thriller that has its roots in tv cartoons. Fans and aficionados will again try to be one of the first to see the movie, if for bragging rights alone.

Lately, there has been an upsurge of moviegoers compared to the past year. Many are trekking to see flicks of every kind and genre. The Philippines is no exception. We have always been thrilled by Hollywood and its creations, along with a local movie industry that has survived the ravages of economic slumps and incessant piracy.

Analysts have attributed this to the global economic crisis itself. People just want to be entertained, if only for a few hours, to forget the cares and concerns brought about by the said crisis. In other words, people just want to feel good, in the simplest way they can.

And movie-going isn’t the only thing picking up these days. Moderately priced restaurants still enjoy good business, along with some hobby-oriented stores. All in the context of trying to cope with the stresses brought about by a string of problems that never seem to end.

From the economic slump, to rising gas prices at the pumps. From tuition fees to hospital bills. More and more people are trying to deal with stress in whatever way they can. And since prices of luxury items or hobby-related items have not gone up considerably – as they have no reason to in the first place at risk of an exodus of clients – people have turned to them for relief.

Stress has been proven to hasten diseases of every kind. Systemic occurrences in the body that are detrimental to the overall well-being of a person fire up during times of severe stress. We’ve seen how stress can trigger heart attacks, strokes, latent diseases like Herpes Zoster (Shingles) and psychological conditions like paranoia, anxiety, even catatonic reactions.

It is important to know how to deal with stress, and one of the ways is to be busy with something you love to do. Whether it be watching a movie, enjoying a hobby, or just taking time to relax, energize and re-group.

We may not be aware of its presence, but stress does and will kill if left to prolong and fester. Just like the famous tagline, “there is more than meets the eye”. Having said that, time for me to unwind as well!