Stress is how the brain and body respond to any demand. Every type of demand or stressor – such as exercise, work, school, major life changes, or traumatic events – can be stressful. Stress can affect your health. It is important to pay attention to how you deal with minor and major stress events so that you know when to seek help. The National Institute for Mental Health (NIMH), stresses five important things we should know about stress: 1. Stress Affects Everyone 2. Not All Stress is Bad 3. Long-term stress can harm your health When stress starts interfering with your ability to live a normal life for an extended period of time, it becomes dangerous.

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Symptoms for stress are different for each person, however some common response to a stressful event include:
a. Tension and irritability
b. Fear and anxiety
c. Confusion – difficulty in making decisions and concentrating
d. Loss of interest in normal activities
e. Loss of appetite
f. Feeling ‘powerless’
g. Sleeping problems (such as difficulty in falling asleep)
h. Somatic pains (headaches, back pains, stomach pains)

4. There are ways to manage stress. The Department of Health (DOH), National Mental Health Program endorses the use of the 12S in the Management of Stress, these are:

1. Self-awareness Develop the habit of paying attention to your expression of thoughts, emotions, and behavior, knowing yourself, getting in touch with your feeling, or being open to experience, the more you know about yourself, the better you are at adapting life changes that suit your needs.
2. Scheduling Optimize the time available to achieve gratifying results. Use time manager application or buy some notebook organizer.
3. Siesta Take a nap, short rest, a break, or recharge your “battery” to improve productivity. It also helps relax the mind and body muscles.
4. Speak to me Talk to someone when you feel overwhelmed or unable to deal with stress on your own. Venting can help you unload unwanted feelings.
5. Sounds and Songs (Music) Listen to relaxing and soothing music. It can relieve depression and increase self-esteem.
6. Sensation Techniques (Massage) Stress unknotting tense and aching muscles, relieving headaches, and sleep problems.
7. Stretching Do simple movements to loosen muscles, lubricate joints increase body’s oxygen supply.
8. Socials Engage on fruitful activities that will develop your ability to deal with other people.
9. Smile “Smile ka naman” to release stress, calm you down, make you attractive, and make someone else happy.
10. Sports Engage in playing sports of choice to clear your mind and relieve stress.
11. Stress debriefing Submit oneself to a brief crisis intervention to talk about one’s feelings and reactions to the critical incident.
12. Spirituality Devote time to connect with yourself and to God, try meditation 5-10 minutes each day and pray to Him for guidance 5. If you’re overwhelmed by stress, ask for help from a health professional. You may contact the National Center for Mental Health Crisis Hotline Contact numbers: 989-8727 (USAP) 0917-899-8727 (USAP)