Recognizing the importance of mental and physical wellness and its impact on one’s productivity at work, the Department of Agriculture-Cordillera (DA-CAR) employees participated in engaging wellness activities on March 15 to 16.
The wellness activity is part of the Department’s 2023 National Women’s Month celebration, intended to introduce physical, social, and mental wellness among DA-CAR employees. The activities included a tour at the El Aniversario Museum and Camping Grounds, a yoga class, syringe painting, and discussions about mental and physical health.
Clinton Aniversario, proprietor of the El Aniversario Museum and Camping Site, discussed how to capture interesting photos using smartphones and digital cameras. Aniversario recalled film photography and how it compares to digital photography. He went on to explain that a good photo boils down to how the photographer composes the shots. Aniversario then prompted the participants to take their time and consider other shooting angles when taking pictures.
Afterwards, Bernadeth Alalag, a Surveillance Officer of the Department of Health-CAR and a licensed yoga instructor, facilitated the one-hour yoga session. According to Alalag, physical and mental wellness activities are like taking a shower every day, reminding the participants to have a daily routine to care for their well-being. She also shared some stretching exercises that can be done in the office to improve posture and relieve back pains from prolonged sitting.
For additional activities, Aniversario demonstrated his distinctive syringe painting, and other participants attempted it for themselves. They also had a tour and picture-taking around the dainty museums, art galleries, and forest trails around the site.
On March 16, Wellness Coach Dr. Leonardo Delizo discussed some tips on how to heal the mind and body by following the elements of natural medicine, including proper exposure to sunlight, proper breathing technique, proper water hydration, and eating plant-based and organically-produced foods, among others.
Meanwhile, Research Division Chief Dr. Luis Lang-oy expressed his gratitude towards the wellness program. He recognized the importance of these activities by taking time to meet with nature and take a break, as these can “free our minds from the problems of this world.” Janine Loyesen from the Budget Office also appreciated the activity as it allowed them to break from the usual office routine. Loyesen added that the stretching tips from Alalag will help them to loosen up after spending the entire day sitting down at work. By JBPeralta
