The Universal Desire to Destress
Stress is stressful. I think we can all agree on that. Most of the time, there is always something that manages to stress us out, like deadlines that need to be met for school, the pile of tasks we need to accomplish for work, maybe interpersonal stress with family, friends, or a romantic partner, or maybe something else entirely. Almost everyday, we experience stress when there is anything that causes us to feel worried, uneasy, pressured, or tense.
I have not come across anyone who likes feeling stressed – most of the time, we are trying to destress so that we can get back to feeling calm, emotionally and mentally balanced, and free from all that bothers us. I know people who do this by enrolling in yoga or pilates classes, going to the gym, going to the mall and shopping, or going out with friends and loved ones. Prior to the pandemic, I used to go to dance classes every weekend during the school year, then everyday during the summer. I had been doing this for about 15 years, initially as a hobby and eventually as a way for me to also let out all the pent up emotions I may have felt throughout the days. But how else can we destress in ways that don’t involve going out of the house? Especially if we may not have access to outside resources?
Literature and Arts: A Gateway to Relaxation
At home, I have discovered a number of ways to help myself destress. My go-to would be cleaning my room. Most of my friends question me about this since cleaning the room or the house is usually associated with doing chores. For me, however, I find it therapeutic. I love decorating my room and keeping everything orderly, and so I find joy in getting to keep my space tidy and aesthetically pleasing to me. Besides this, my other go-to ways of destressing would lie within literature and the arts. To me, there’s nothing better than getting absorbed into a good novel or getting to learn a new thing or two through non fiction works. For those who aren’t into reading, I find that watching my favorite movies, shows, or documentaries, are a great alternative! I really enjoy writing as well, since I find my emotions and experiences reflected in what I create, which then helps me better process what’s on my mind. Similarly, I enjoy doing visual arts such as drawing and painting, and I discovered that a number of friends also picked up this hobby over the pandemic as a form of self expression and as a way of destressing, whether they considered themselves good at art or not. I noticed that many found themselves picking up new and old hobbies, such as music, cooking or baking, and crocheting.
Finding Catharsis in Everyday Moments
I believe that there is joy to be found in the creation of something. When you find yourself bringing your ideas to life, there is also time taken to process your thoughts or let out the emotions you’ve been feeling, whether you realize it or not. At the very least, it helps take your mind off of your stressors, even if just for a moment. In a way, it is its own kind of therapy, allowing for catharsis. One does not need to go so far to destress. A lot of times, we already have it within our reach – all we need to do is acknowledge the little things that catch our interest and spark happiness.
Take Control of Your Stress with Pinoy Therapy
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About the Author
S. Verzosa is a BS Psychology graduate from the Ateneo de Manila University. Lover of fiction, art, music, dance, and the understanding of all those around.
