The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) personnel had a stress-busting treat during the Seminar-Workshop on Achieving Wellness in the Workplace through Stress Management conducted by the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) at the Bulwagang Apolinario Mabini, DFA Building, Pasay City, on 29 November 2013.

Ambassador Ma. Angelina Sta. Catalina, FSI Director, opened the event and underscored the importance of wellness in a fast-paced working environment.

Mr. Nelson Mendoza from the Department of Health conducted the seminar-workshop, with thirty-nine participants attending. The whole-day seminar tackled stress stimuli and their physical and psychosocial manifestations.

The speaker discussed that though stress is inevitable in everyday life, knowing how to manage one’s reaction to stress helps reduce its adverse effects on our professional and personal endeavors.

Also introduced in the seminar-workshop are new habits that employees could integrate into their busy lifestyles in order to reduce stress and enhance work efficiency. Some of the proposed activities included physical exercises, breathing exercises, laughter therapy, power napping and simple massage techniques.

Eleven members of the Persons with Disabilities Community in the DFA, specifically the deaf-mute, also attended the event and contributed to the group’s insights, teamwork and interaction. They were guided by Mr. Jay Lardizabal, a professional sign language interpreter.

The stress management seminar was organized by the Professional and Technical Programs Section of the FSI and culminates this year’s programs.