Calming Down: An Introduction to Stress and Some Stress Management Tips

PinkZ Resty

According to the dictionary, the word stress means: ‘to be subjected to pressure or strain, a mentally disruptive or disquieting influence'. A situation that causes pressure or strain is called a stressor. The stress that we all experience at various times in our lives is expressed through different emotions, such as anxiety, anger, frustration, depression or even excitement, and affects us physically. In order to cope with stress, it is important to understand how stress affects the body and to familiarize oneself with the various types of stress.

When we are under stress, our bodies respond with the ‘fight or flight' response. Researchers believe that this reaction is an ancient response that has allowed humans to survive as a species since prehistoric times. We know that the human brain responds to stress (both real or imagined) by sending signals to the part of the brain called the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus in turn activates the stress response by stimulating the nervous system. Finally, the nervous system creates changes in the body that get us ‘pumped up' to either stand and fight, or run away.

 Stress tampers with the body's effectiveness. The unhealthy effects of being chronically stressed result from a variety of physiological changes. As part of our response to stress, adrenaline and other hormones are released. Over time, these hormones may inhibit digestion, growth, and tissue repair, as well as the effectiveness of our immune and inflammatory systems.

Stress makes illness worse. Most illnesses are made worse by stress. Some illnesses particularly affected by stress are: Cancer ,Diabetes ,Arthritis ,Coronary heart disease, Stomach ulcers, Tension headaches, Asthma, Hypertension and AIDS.

Not everyone who experiences high levels of chronic stress becomes physically ill, but stress can be a contributing factor in exacerbating physical ailments. One recent study indicated that workers reporting a high level of stress had 46 percent higher health costs. The following are some suggestions to cope with stress:

1.Recognize when it happens
2. Modify what you say to yourself
3. Learn to use relaxation exercises
4. Learn a breathing exercise
5. Learn a muscle exercise
6. Learn a relaxation exercise
7. Mentally prepare for ‘stressors

8. Express your feelings and needs

Responsible Mining

Racquel Badecao

    Responsible mining refers to advocacy to reform mining activity. Goals may vary by group.It first began to appear in an article entitled "Re-inhibitory Mining" and next as "Ecological Mining”. The term "Responsible Mining" was formulated by Ranil Senanayake of the International Analog Forest Network and Brian Hill of the Institute for Cultural Ecology.

   

Our municipality is rich in natural minerals like gold. Mining is one of the main resources of income in Mankayan.But why do some of our "kaelians"  go against mining? Some insist that it causes water shortage in the community. Well, yes! But we should think positive. Mining has contributed in the development of our community and practically speaking, it is the source of our income. For several years, people from every barangay like Bulalacao and neighboring municipality of Mankayan such as Cervantes, Ilocus Sur has benifitted  from the Lepanto Mining Company. The company have been returning 1% of its milling and mining cost to its host communities since the beggining of its operation. And to be specific, it offers scholarships to deserving students. In other words, the  said mining company exercises responsible mining.

Mining has both positive and negative effects.And as a member of a mining community and as a student, I am thankful to LCMC and its new partner Gold Fields because I have the oppurtunity to make my future brighter.

TCO PROTESTS AGAINST DRILLING

TCO PROTESTS AGAINSTS DRILLING

                                                            

        Concerned citizens successfully halted Indodrill’s operations in Tabbac, Bulalacao, Mankayan, Benguet, after a month of voicing out their views about the effects if drilling would continue in the community.

        Starting on the second week of January, citizens living near the drilling site began to take actions, for they are worried about the effect of drilling in their life, especially water supply. After voicing with Mayor Materno Luspian and some Indodrill officials, citizens formed the Tabbac Community Organization (TCO), and lead the community into protest against drilling. They made placards near the site, most of it saying “Water is Life”-” Ti danum ket Biyag”.

        A week after the anniversary of Mankayan Foundation Day, heavy equipments were lifted out of the drilling site.

Summer LIGA

Summer LIGA for the First Time

(Jeneleth Dayaodao)

Barangay Bulalacao started the summer LIGA last March 30 at the BNHS. The LIGA was sponsored by Brgy Officials and formerly Brgy. Captain Juanito Labi.

The Liga was planned so as to promote unity among the people in the community.The Brgy. Officials led by the committee, Kagawad Anno with two other companions proposed six games: basketball, volleyball, sipa, scrabble, table tennis and marathon. There are 5 teams competing for the event namely: Upperians, Denmark, Waterfalls, Vigors and Farmers.

This event will make them realize the true meaning of sportsmanship. It is said to last for a week.

LIVING IN DIFFERENCES

 Everyday,we always wake up,with tears in our eyes.I wonder why?To live in a world of differences,to met trials and challenges,to be called to the front and recite,to cope with the high prices of goods and stare at the sky,wondering why am I hard up?We remain ignorant of what is happening around us,yet we don't realize that we,human beings are the one responsible for the difficulties of our fellowmen.We are so selfish that we only think of our selves,and don't even analyze what is that selfishness doing to the ones behind.Most of us thinks that we are different from the other people,thinking that we deserve more blessings than them.IT DOESN,T MATTER IF I AM AN IGOROT,YOU'RE AN ILOCANO OR TAGALOG.IT DOESN'T MATTER IF I AM BLACK AND YOU ARE WHITE,EVEN IF YOU ARE POWERFUL AND I AM JUST A NORMAL PERSON.WE ARE ALL BROTHERS UNDER THE SAME SKIN,UNDER THE SAME BURNING SUN,WE ARE ALL CHILDREN OF GOD........