12/07/2023
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In a bid to foster emotional wellness in the workplace, a two-day seminar was held on June 22 and 23, 2023, with two different batches of participants. Mr. Bryan B. Marcial served as the emcee for the first batch, while Mr. Keynard L. Ponce, the Assistant to the Director of CCE, took charge of the second batch. The event aimed to help attendees to have a better comprehension of emotional health in their professional lives, as well as to equip them with the tools and knowledge to enhance their emotional well-being and, consequently, their work effectiveness.
The seminar kicked off with the opening remarks delivered by Dr. Claire A. Madrazo, the Director of the Center for Continuing Education (CCE). Dr. Madrazo emphasized that emotional wellness should not be perceived negatively; rather, it is a matter of how individuals choose to deal with it. She acknowledged that emotional wellness encompasses various facets of life and is particularly pivotal in the workplace, where employees with diverse upbringings interact. Furthermore, Dr. Madrazo candidly shared her own experiences, accentuating that emotional setbacks are commonplace, even among professionals. She gave prominence to the noteworthiness of emotional well-being in fostering a harmonious work environment.
Following the opening remarks, Ms. Ma. Teresita J. Rodriguez, the Director for Administration, delivered her message to the participants. Ms. Rodriguez quoted the renowned aphorism by Lauren Fogel Mersy, โBeing able to be your true self is one of the strongest components of good mental health.โ She made it a point that stress is inevitable in the workplace, but it is imperative to recognize its potential unfavorable impacts. Ms. Rodriguez encouraged participants to embrace honesty and humility, assuring them that it is acceptable to say โnoโ without feeling guilty. As public service providers, she underscored the necessity of emotional health for those in profession.
Dr. Fini Joy P. Buenafe, the University Guidance Director, served as the seminarโs resource speaker, guiding participants through the intricacies of emotional agility in the workplace. Dr. Buenafe initiated the session by asking an interesting question, โHow are you today?โ One participant replied with a simple โIโm okay,โ prompting Dr. Buenafe to delve into the nuanced semantics behind such a response.
She stressed that emotional agility entails understanding the complexity of emotions and their impact on personal and professional lives. During her lecture on emotional agility, Dr. Buenafe explored the distinction between humans and animals, stressing the role that emotions and intelligence play in setting humans apart. However, she acknowledged the growing body of evidence suggesting that animals also experience emotions.
Dr. Buenafe engaged the participants by inquiring about their initial thoughts upon waking up. The responses varied, with some expressing a desire to return to bed while one humorously commented on the seminar venueโs elevation. The speaker placed weight on the importance of having a purpose and understanding how thoughts influence emotions. Dr. Buenafe then introduced Susan Davidโs seven basic emotionsโjoy, sadness, surprise, fear, contentment, disgust, and angerโemphasizing that each emotion has its place in peopleโs lives. On top of this, she clearly elucidated that sadness and grief should be distinguished from depression, underlining the significance of experiencing and processing emotions fully.
Dr. Buenafe explored the concept of emotional agility as the ability to move fluidly between emotions, promoting adaptability and personal growth. She touched upon a subject on how individuals got โhookedโ by accepting thoughts as facts, leading to repetitive and unproductive thought patterns. Participants were introduced to four common hooks: thought-blaming, monkey-mindedness, old/outgrown ideas, and wrong- headed righteousness. These hooks were attributed to internal chatterbox, technicolor emotional blending, and emotional punch.
She also delved into the differences between two common approaches to dealing with negative emotions: bottling them up or brooding over them. Participants were encouraged to recognize these tendencies and understand the impact they can have on their well-being. Through thought-provoking activities in the form of questions, Dr. Buenafe facilitated a deeper understanding of emotional responses and their effects. The seminar further discussed the four key concepts of emotional agility, providing participants with valuable tools to navigate emotional challenges in their professional lives. Dr. Buenafe laid emphasis on the gravity of recognizing emotions, understanding their purpose, and learning how to manage them effectively.
The seminar culminated in an open forum, allowing participants to engage in an insightful dialogue with Dr. Buenafe and fellow attendees. The forum provided a safe space for individuals to share their experiences, seek advice, and learn from one another.
Finally, Mr. Keynard L. Ponce, delivered the closing remarks. Mr. Ponce expressed his gratitude to the participants and highlighted the salience of the seminarโs teachings. He reiterated the notion that emotional wellness is crucial for harmonious and productive work environment. By nurturing their emotional well-being, employees can thrive both individually and as part of a team.
The seminar on emotional wellness functioned as a beneficial platform for professionals to gain a deeper understanding of emotional and mental health in the workplace. By promoting emotional agility and prioritizing well-being, individuals can contribute to a more positive work environment, resulting in improved effectiveness and productivity. With the insights and strategies gained from the seminar, participants are better equipped to navigate the complexities of their emotions and build healthier, more fulfilling professional lives.
| ๐ by: Jeremiah Galuso
| ๐จby: Jeremiah Galuso
