Aid workers undergo anti-stress exercises

CEBU, Philippines - To release Yolanda Aid Workers from mental, emotional and physical tension and stress, a free US-based treatment called Tension and Trauma Releasing Exercises (TRE) was held at the Southern Island Hospital yesterday.

Participating groups were Bukas Loob sa Diyos, Oblate Sisters of the Most Holy Redeemer, Missionaries of Mary, Bangon Madridejos, Singles for Christ, BID Ocean, medicine students from Southwestern University, among others.

"We're interested in gathering people, especially those who volunteered in relief operations and experienced trauma during the earthquake and the super typhoon," said Teresa Ruelas, representative from Movement of Imaginals for Sustainable Societies through Initiatives, Organizing and Networking (Mission), one of the organizers of the workshop.

Butch Tan, representative of Human Capital Development, said the organization initiated the TRE training workshops to reach and train the first responders and relief workers on the typhoon's and earthquake's aftermath.

Tan said their organization wanted to contribute something that is unique and has great impact to the survivors and responders.

He said the US-based coaching exercise would aid the participants release mental, emotional, and physical tension.

There were four trainers who assisted the participants, three of whom were Indonesians, namely insurance executive Lie Kai Fung, lawyer Dwi Librianto, educator Hindra Gunawan; and the Singaporean Dennis Tay who is a retired naval officer.

Tay said the TRE goes well with the people who have undergone stress and trauma because the exercise is designed to work the core muscles of the body.

"This exercise would help the human body to experience and endure traumatic incidents, and be able to recover from these experiences," said Tay.

The group is set to go to Zamboanga today, where they will stay for four days to the conduct the same training workshops.

Majority of the participants were fulfilled and destressed after the sample exercises.

Wellness Manager of BID Ocean Jackie Lucero said she was destressed after the activity. She said they have undergone relief operations after the calamities hit the country and have experienced stress and trauma. — (FREEMAN)