I’m spending my Saturday in my favorite place in the Metro, with a good friend. I’m using her laptop while she’s reviewing for exams.

Thank God for splurge budgets and quality time with friends.

I people-watch and look at the scenery outside. It’s quite sunny and green. I’ve noticed a few joggers here, and I find that fact strange . . . to be jogging at 36-degree celsius temperature? Then again, hindi ko babasagin ang trip nila. Hehehe.

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My week had an awesome start but got pretty rough as the days went by. I was a mess come Friday . . . the stress I was experiencing the past few weeks was taking its toll. I was starting to get irritable over the smallest things. I was listless. I didn’t enjoy food as much. *gasp* And I refused to laugh. So not me.

So in an attempt to make myself feel better, I decided to drop by my favorite bookstore while waiting for my friend to arrive. Interestingly, I saw a book on “sane ways to fight stress.” The author gave a few warning signals that indicated if I was stressed or not. Let’s just say that that little test DID confirm that I WAS stressed.

Here were the three things that I learned to help deal with my stress. I hope they help you, too

1. Learn to communicate when you’re stressed. Sadly, I have a tendency to not speak when I’m upset.  Apparently, this plan has a tendency to backfire. The book I read suggests to write down your feelings if you can’t manage to speak them out.

2. Make time for relationships that matter. I think I got this thing down pat. But yes, I still I have to work on it. Again, I have a tendency to shut the world out when I’m distressed. Having a support system is especially helpful.

3. Make your health a priority. Which is why I’m going to swim as soon as I get home. WOOT!

Above all, I think, God is the best stress reliever ever. AND He doesn’t get stressed AT ALL.

Tags: destress, stress, yay