Focus on happy thoughts to relieve stress

Wellness for multitasking working

A HAPPIER WORKFORCE YIELDS greater productivity and creativity in the work environment. Aware that the modern-day woman leads a stressful life now more than ever, the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corp. (HSBC) developed workshops tailored to the concerns of today’s multitasking woman.

As a woman’s needs are as complicated as her personality, HSBC brought in resource persons for its employees that discussed topics from vanity to health, fitness and wellness. The workshops aim not only to ensure the ladies’ well-being but also to broaden their knowledge on many issues. Dubbed “Wellness for the Working Woman,” the half-day event covered topics on skin care, stress management, yoga and breast cancer.

“Everyone wants to look like Hollywood stars but unfortunately not everyone can look like them,” said dermatologist Dr. Aivee Aguilar-Teo, who talked about Skin Care for All Ages.

Dr. Teo warned about the belated skin care regimen of some women. Not even the most expensive skin care product and treatment can bring back some of the years, she said, if applied too late in life.

Dr. Teo stressed the importance of prevention. Women in their 20s are lucky to be in the age where it is the “best time for their skin,” but cautioned that by the time they near 30, cell formation drops by 30 percent. That means, she said, skin becomes more prone to wrinkles and other aging factors.

Sun exposure, smoking and alcohol intake all contribute to premature aging of the skin. Diet, hydration, sleep and exercise contribute to the skin’s long-term appearance.

As the sun is the skin’s biggest enemy, Dr. Teo advised wearing wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses and skin protection if out in the field for extended periods, and sunblock of SPF 15-30, depending on how long one stays under the sun. Anything beyond SPF 50, she said, doesn’t have much difference anymore. The key is to consistently reapply when needed. For extended sun exposure, she recommends oral sunblock.

Those in their 20s need to develop the basic skin regimen of cleansing, moisturizing, exfoliation and sun protection, she said. For those in their 30s and 40s, however, a helpful addition is whitening cream to address sunspots and pigmentation. Invest, too, in good eye cream, Dr. Teo said, as the eye area is more prone to fine lines and wrinkles. Exfoliate skin to improve dullness and even skin tone.

“Collagen fiber has begun breaking down. What we consume at this age becomes more evident on the skin and body,” she said.

Losing unwanted fat

At an age where most women settle down in a family environment, losing unwanted fat and tightening the cellulite can be achieved through radio frequency or the ultrasound. Other options include Refirm, Thermage and Botox. Surgical treatments like tummy tuck and liposuction can also be considered.

The all-time low for collagen hits is the 50s. Skin elasticity is minimal and age begins to show predominantly on the face. Age spots, varicose veins, sagging skin in the arms, chest and tummy and fine lines and wrinkles appear in the eye and jaw area. Skincare at this age is extremely important.

Women can still opt for nonsurgical treatments, but for extreme sagging of the skin, surgical procedures such as face lift, neck lift, brow lift or eyelid lift surgery are in order. Derma fillers and Botox are options one must consider, she said, since surgical procedure is discouraged for those with medical problems.

A contributing factor to aging is stress. That is why HSBC also had Dr. Imelda Villar, chair of the Accreditation of Clinical Psychologists of the Psychological Association of the Philippines, talk about Healing from Within.

Stress can be one’s own doing, Dr. Villar said. Practicing optimism, she said, is the first step to healing. “Our interpretation of things creates the kind of hurts we experience. [This] affects other aspects of our life.”

Dr. Villar said one should be happy with the work one does. Even with the least likeable part of one’s job, it is important to still focus on the “happy thoughts.”

Labeling people in the office also contributes to unnecessary stress. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses. By redirecting one’s energy toward that person’s strengths, stress instantly becomes minimal.

Put things in perspective, advised Dr. Villar. Before criticizing, she said, think first about the mistakes one may have done that may have contributed to that negative behavior. A miscommunication could create a costly mistake that could break one’s relationship with a coworker, friend or partner.

“Talk to the person. The result will unburden you of worries, anger and other negative emotions. A misunderstanding and/or miscommunication has always proven fatal to many relationships,” Dr. Villar said.

Other speakers included yoga instructor Raya Mananquil, oncologist Kelly Salvador and breast cancer warrior Ging Tarroza. –Anne A. Jambora, Philippine Daily Inquirer