christmas card for the housemates

my yearend message to my housemates.  since i'm not good in expressing my thoughts verbally - i wrote it all down.  pasensya na. i'm maarte that way =D

Rachelle.

although we didn't get to talk as much as before, we both know we're here for each other.  thank you for understanding my shortcomings.  and i just want you to know how proud i am for seeing you get to where you are right now.  words are not enough to express how much i am really happy for you.  and your awards / plaques are just one way of telling you that your hardwork has paid off.  and that recognition is worth more, way more than all the gifts you had this Christmas.  i can only wish you one thing and you know it already.  i love you dear cousin =)

Erol.

you know how much i tried to dig in deep into your personal life because you don't open up as much as we do.  it's only because we want to get to know you better. we could only go as much as what you share, and that's enough for us.  i just want to know i'm just here (you got no choice, i'm your housemate - i'm always around. hahaha jk) anything you need - i'm just one text away.  i've no other wish for you, because in every path you'll take i'm sure you're going to nail it because your intelligence in anything and everything comes out effortless.  i'm happy you chose us to be your housemates, instead of that sexy star and his lover =P

Nhamay.

you are a great girl, a great catch, and any guy will be lucky to have you.  there are many fields that you excel in and i hope next year you get to do everything that you want to pursue.  just in case you need a companion, a listener, i'm just here. i just couldn't do one more thing though - i can't give you a massage using my weight by stepping on your back.  afraaaiiiid hahahahaa.  kidding aside, give yourself time to enjoy life's pleasures and have fun spending all the fruits of your labor.  you deserve to be happy.  2012 is going to be a fabulous year for you - start claiming it. =)

Ardel.

you of all the housemates know how much of a stoneheart i have.  i do not cry on tv and movies when i'm with the four of you.  the only time you saw me crying (twice) was because of you and your story.  i am sooooo proud of what you have achieved this year.  and you deserve every bit of success you're having right now.  and to top it all, you never forget to look back to where you were before and help out in every way you can.  please continue being this headstrong and generous man that you are.  i love you, you know that.  God has always been good, but He was extremely great to you this year.  until next year, i can't wait doing more adventures with you. 

year-end countdown

10- number of months I've been wearing my eyeglasses 

9 - the number of movies I have watched in the office.

8 - number of tasks I've done this year (from my bucketlist. check check check)

7 - number of times I went for a videoke with friends

6 - number of times I went to HQ / went to an event / volunteered for Greenpeace

5 - number of times I watched movie at the Shang Cinema for free (special thanks to Cine Europa, the French and the Japanese Filmfest)

4 - number of times I went to different gigs to support my favorite band (PVD = playphonicsgroupie)

3 - the number of times my longtime superduper rockstar crush casually asked me for sex (one of which I almost gave in -unfortunately my morals got the best of me. hahaha)

2 - number of times I went for a roadtrip with my beloved housemates

1 - number of years I have been writing in blogspot.

---o0o---

famous last words:

"2012 is mine.  I'm gonna carpe the fuck out of the diem."

question of the day:

what are the three words you would use to describe yourself?



PVD -->  "loving, lovable, and."

i love that there are plenty of ways to help for the victims of typhoon Sendong. i hope that they will continue doing it for more than a month because it's going to take a while for people in CDO and Iligan to recover. but first things first -- let's pray for  quick recovery, both of the people and of the nation.

tell 'em ladies (from the movie 'Amelie')

"I like to look for things no one else catches."

tell 'em ladies (from the movie "Breakfast at Tiffany's")

"I'm like cat here, a no-name slob. We belong to nobody, and nobody belongs to us."

tell 'em ladies (from the tv series 'Sex and the City')

"And then I realized something, twenty-something girls are just fabulous, until you see one with the man who broke your heart."

tell 'em ladies (from the movie 'Almost Famous')

"It's all happening!"

what the cat is telling you.

1.  My life is likely to last 10 to 15 years.  Any separation from you will be painful.  Remember that before you get me. 

2.  Give me time to understand what you want of me.

3.  Place your trust in me - it is crucial to my well-being.

4.  Do not be angry at me for long, and do not lock me up as punishment.

5.  You have your work, your entertainment, and your friends.  I only have you.

6.  Talk to me sometimes.  Even if I don't understand your words, I understand your voice when you are speaking to me.

7.  Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget.

8.  Remember before you hit me that I have teeth that could easily hurt you, but I choose not to bite you because I love you.

9.  Before you scold me for being uncooperative, obstinate or lazy, ask yourself if something might be bothering me.  Perhaps I might not be getting the right food, or my heart is getting too old and weak.

10. Take care of me when I get old; you too will grow old.  Go with me on difficult journeys.  Never say: "I cannot bear to watch" or "Let it happen in my absence".  Everything is easier for me if you are there, even my death.  Remember that I love you.

sugar come on, show your soul -- you've been keeping your love under control..

Afterhours (Taken by Cars)  (--click to see the vid)



A color blind imagery
Can you see it half full or is the glass
Half empty
The lights transmit a certain kind
Of wanting to absent my mind
From all that I see

I'm all made up of missing parts
A string of tortured souls and hearts
They start to...

Give me a sign
A chance to realize
Drift away as the time flies
See the world through perfect eyes



I wonder what it's like
Walking down the street with you
I laugh myself senseless at everything I do
The moments make a memory
A longing for what used to be
Let it go.

A thousand reasons to look back
The never-ending heart attack
It starts to...

Give me a sign
A chance to realize
Drift away as the time flies
See the world through perfect eyes

I'm changing away
Close your eyes and open
Tonight the edges fray
Share this day with me and listen
And let it go




one of those Fridays where we get to dress up. fun office, dont ya think? ;)

 

lol pic of the week

wish list wish list

from being a fucked up doctor to being a blues singer. ooooooh Hugh yer so haaaawt

yihee

"I suddenly realized I actually do not experience 'writer's block' like I thought I did - I always had something to write about, but I only publish a few here... because what I mostly think and write about are either dirty or offensive."  (pvd)

why are you protecting your heart / when it should've been me doing that part?

pach facts

[in a nutshell]

1.  how pvd writes: right after a tiring day at work, instead of curling up on the bed and fall asleep, her mind has a way of messing her up - thoughts about anything come flooding in her head, making her get back up from bed and write down notes..until she's going to have a hard time going back to sleep.  happens to her almost every night.

2.  she loves making "arbor" men's clothing /  accessories and wears it at work; looking like she'd slept over a boyfriend's house, used his clothes and went straight to work.  

3.  at work, she only have 2 female friends and 7 male friends.  "boys are so easy to get along with - they are straight to the point and definitely not maarte / maselan."  so expect her to walk fast and eat fast like a man. =D

4.  she loves fireworks display.  she hates firecrackers.  

5.  she mostly uses up her time with anyone who needs her, helping out or trying to solve their problems.  because she doesn't like thinking about her own.

---o0o---

famous last words:

"expect me to write less about myself and more about your self - because I seem to be thinking more about you than me."  <3

"it's been a year that I've been looking straight to your eyes 
  and pretend that you didn't break my heart."

best birthday gift. from my nephews.

i took a quiz and i liked it =)

Goddess in Paris

"I do not care what car you drive. Where you live. If you know someone who knows someone who knows someone. If your clothes are this year's cutting edge. If you are A list or B list or never-heard-of-you list. If your trust fund is unlimited. I only care about the words that flutter from your mind. They are the only thing you own. The only thing I will remember you by. I will not fall in love with your bones or skin. I will not fall in love with the places you have been. I will not fall in love with anything but the words that flutter from your extraordinary mind.”

- Andre Jordan

hahaha this was given to me by a colleague/friend who knows what I've been going through. cheers, Pao =)

How To Be A Confident Alpha Male

 

Tip #1:

Displaying your Alpha Male side means displaying confidence and charm with men AND women. It is crucial for you to constantly work on building your social network. Look, I’ve seen lots of guys who study “pickup” because they want to understand how to become an Alpha Male. Even if some of these men become more skilled and confident when they’re around women, they still act like “Beta” guys when they’re around other men — especially Alpha Males whom they perceive to have higher status than they do.

Obviously when you go out to socialize, your principal aim is to meet girls, but making new alliances with “Alpha” guys is going to help your long-term lifestyle. Make this a part of your new routine. Whenever you’re hanging out in a social environment — such as a nightclub, bar or party — and you notice guys who appear to be popular, radiate positive energy and are having a great time (and flirting with the girls) — introduce yourself to them. Simply introduce yourself to the guy who seems like he’s getting a lot of positive attention from the ladies: “Hey man, it’s looks like you’re doing well with the chicks here. So what’s your secret?” There is a 90% chance that he will shake your hand, want to know you, and now you’ve got this guy as a friend and wingman.

Expanding your network of Alpha Male friends (and wingmen) will have major benefits. You will find yourself being invited to parties, bars and events that you normally wouldn’t have known about. They might also know girls they want to introduce you to. Also, when you surround yourself with cool Alpha friends it automatically raises your social status in the eyes of women.

You may need to begin spending your free time with some new wingmen, if the guys you usually go out with don’t have a healthy level of energy and confidence.

 

 

Tip #2:

The next piece of advice on being an Alpha Male is that you must stop being wishy-washy, and be decisive instead. Women respect men who lay out a path for them to follow. It may sound chauvinistic, but it’s true. A girl doesn’t want to be the one to decide where to go eat dinner with you, or which bar to go to for drinks. Actually, when you act indecisive around her, and make weak suggestions, you’re actually causing her to lose interest in you. Women need to feel that their man is emotionally strong and able to provide security and protection. 

Whenever there is a decision to be made, YOU need to step up and express how you think it should go. This principle even applies if it’s as unimportant as choosing where to go eat or have coffee. She may not always agree 100% with your decision, but she feels good knowing that you step up and MAKE decisions.

The weak move is saying to a girl, “So if you’re not busy sometime, maybe we could meet up and do something…”

On the other hand, an Alpha Male might say this: “Tell me your favorite romantic comedy, and I’ll rent it — we’ll watch it Friday night at my place while I cook dinner for us.” Or, “You told me that you love Indian food. I know about this great restaurant that’s sort of “off the radar”, and I want to show it to you. Let’s do it Saturday night at seven o’clock.”

  

Tip #3:

Always leave ‘em wanting more. The top Alpha Males – whether it’s a business mogul, or a Hollywood star – are very busy people. They’re not going to grant you endless amounts of their time. Your mental attitude should be the same with women. It’s important for you to be the one ending the conversation first — whether this is a phone call to set up a date, or a conversation at a club.

The normal guy doesn’t know how to talk with girls. He’ll just keep talking and babbling until the woman finally says, “I have to go find my friend” or “it’s was nice talking to you, but I have to get going…” As an Alpha Male, you must ALWAYS have a game plan in mind when you talk to a girl, and accomplish that objective before the conversation ends. When you’re hanging out at a bar, the purpose might be to get her digits and see here again. Or, if you’re calling her on the phone, the objective could be to figure out when you will see her again. Fundamentally, you’ve got to have a plan, a strategy, and a way to execute it.

theme number five: happy happy joy joy

the simple things that make me happy

 (please click on the photo to enlarge)

trippin' on "no other woman"

My body is a cage


that keeps me from dancing


with the one I love.






But my mind holds the key.




--
(*you're smart enough, I know you'll get this. take care sunshine)

How to Turn the Negative to Positive

All of us have these in our lives - a family member or a friend or a colleague who constantly rants to us about every little thing they could complain about.  It gets to our nerve.  They sort of drag us down to their melancholy that is their lives.  Like me, you can deal with it by following these suggestions. (*these only works with the stupid little rants they tell, this does not work when the problem is huge already)

okay go <3

---o0o---

When negative people rant, THEY JUST WANTED TO BE HEARD.  So first, (1) give your full attention to them, listen very well and emphatize.  Be very cautious on what you're going to say.  (2) Do not suggest a plan or a solution / do not strike up a debate - because you will never win with them.  They will prove their point, whatever it takes.  You can only give out your awesome suggestions when they ask for it.  (3) And try not to prolong their dragging negative comment - change topic!  Lighten up the mood.  Joke around, but try not to be sarcastic.  And if they brought up the topic again - (4) give it a closure.  "I understand" or "OK" must seal it up.  another closure is the lesson learned, or the good thing that came out of it.  But if they still keep on bringing it up, if they can't see the hint that you do not want to talk about it anymore, if they can't seem to see the light in life, then (5) fuck it, leave.  You don't have to go through what they're going through.  You have been patient enough.  You already have done your part. 

---o0o---

famous last words:

"I understand that the generation today is very expressive and that technology had given them the floor for it.  But kids, please, do not abuse it.  Not everyone is interested to what you just had for lunch.  Express creatively and responsibly.  And, uh, get a life." (pvd)

happy song. so good i wanna dance along to it =P

Coldplay - Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall

I turn the music up, I got my records on
I shut the world outside until the lights come on
Maybe the streets alight, Maybe the trees are gone
I feel my heart start beating to my favourite song

And all the kids they dance, all the kids all night
Until monday morning feels another life
I turn the music up
I'm on a roll this time
And heaven is in sight

I turn the music up, I got my records on
From underneath the rubble, sing a rebel song
Don't want to see another generation drop
I'd rather be a comma than a full stop

Maybe I'm in the black, Maybe I'm on my knees
Maybe I'm in the gap between the two trapezes
But my heart is beating and my pulses start
Cathedrals in my heart

As we saw oh this light I swear you, emerge blinking into
To tell me it's alright
As we soar walls, Every siren is a symphony
And every tear's a waterfall
Is a Waterfall
Every tear
Is a Waterfall

So you can hurt, hurt me bad
But still I'll raise the flag


Every tear
Every tear
Every teardrop is a Waterfall

Every tear
Every tear
Every teardrop is a Waterfall

big heart. bigger wolves.

b-hello.

g-hello.

b-you need help?

g-who doesn't?

b-is that your heart?

g-yeah.

b-it's big.

g-it's small now.

b-small?

g-it was bigger before.

b-scary.

g-yeah, that's my problem.



(story of my life. click the link below to see the whole story.)




Another Chance - Roger Sanchez




---o0o---


famous last words:


"People are afraid of people with big, pure, loving, kind, giving and sharing hearts. People get suspicious about genuiness and openness.. they think there's something wrong with you and that you are probably up to something. Truth is, goodness is still around, it's just that we've gotten too comfortable with the other side."

"Whatever you give to a woman, she's going to multiply.  If you give her a house, she'll give you a home.  If you give her groceries, she'll give you a meal.  If you give her your smile, she'll give you her heart.  She multiplies and enlarges what is given to her.  So if you give her any crap, you will receive a ton of shit."

(taken out of my journal)

03.06.2011/3am

Dear God,

I actually do not know where to start.

This is supposed to be a 'thank You' note.  And I'll start with saying thank You so much that we did get pass through our recent dilemma.  Fasha is doing fine now.  he just needs to regain his normal weight and in 6 months he'll go back to UST Hospital to check up on his colon again.  Who would have thought miracles do happen and it did happen to us.  I remember we were told (at the other hospital) about the chance of the polyp being malignant because of its size.  We just prayed hard, I guess.   Thank You that we didn't need before operation.  Thank You that my company granted my an emergency loan that got used up for my father's 2nd colonoscopy.  Thank You for Medicard, we used it up so well.

Thank You for my college friends who loved me dearly.  and very sincerely.  With them, I feel so special, like I mattered.  Thank You for Aneth, who's become my confidant,  my rock, my reality check and my best friend. 

Thank You for our cats - because they're the only ones I could hug when I badly needed one.

Thank You for my friends who checked up on me when I was down.  I won't forget each of them.

Thank You for Your neverending patience.  For my answered prayers.  I don't know what I've done to deserve all of this.

xoxo/Pach

theme number 4: lalalove

*the art of compressing other people's works to one collected thought. 

complete photos here:

http://www.facebook.com/#!/media/set/?set=a.282162591793748.78990.100000000275787&type=1

Five Things to Know About Anger

(repost)


Anger is a frequently misunderstood emotion. People confuse it with aggression and violence, they think of it as mostly unhealthy, and they fail to recognize the times in their lives when their anger has been positive.
To try and rectify those misunderstandings, here are five important things to know about anger.


Anger is different from aggression

Often, anger is confused with aggression. However, the two experiences are actually quite different. Anger is an emotion. It is the mild frustration one might feel when his or her spouse forgets to make dinner reservations to the rage some feels when treated truly cruelly.


Aggression, meanwhile, is a behavior where the intention is to harm someone or something. Aggression can be physical like hitting, slapping, or pushing someone. It can also be verbal like name calling, using foul language, or other sorts of insults. So, if you are driving along and someone cuts you off by making a turn in front of you, anger is the emotion you feel while aggression might be your behavioral response to the event (e.g., honking, aversive hand gestures).


The reason this distinction is important is because anger often results without an aggressive response. In the example I just used of a person being cut off by another driver, most people would get angry but few would engage in any sort of behavior designed to harm the offending party.




People get angry under fairly predictable circumstances


People become angry when faced with situations that they see as unpleasant and unfair. They will get even angrier if they blame someone else for the situation or think that it could have been avoided.
Why, then, do some people get angry more often than others? It's not that they are faced with these sorts of circumstances more often than other people. It's that they are more likely to perceive situations as meeting these criteria than other people. For example, if you are waiting in line at the grocery store and someone cuts in to the line ahead of you. You could read that situation in a couple of different ways (e.g., that person knew I was here and cut me off on purpose vs. that person must not have seen me). One of those interpretations will lead to greater feelings of anger because you are interpreting the situation as unpleasant, unfair, voidable, intentional, etc.




Anger is not inherently bad


One of the most common misconceptions about anger is that it is bad for you. It's not. In fact, anger is a valuable emotion as it helps people confront injustice. It alerts us to the fact that we have been wronged or treated unfairly and it energizes us to respond to that injustice. Much like hunger motivates us to eat, thirst motivates us to drink, and fear motivates us to avoid things that are dangerous, anger motivates us to respond to confrontation and unfairness.




Anger can be expressed in many different ways


Perhaps one of the reasons why people confuse anger and aggression is because they think of anger as only being expressed in aggressive ways. In truth, however, anger can be expressed in an infinite number of ways. Yes, aggression is one of them. However, so is assertiveness, problem solving, exercise, suppression, etc. In fact, while the appropriate response when angry depends on the context of the situation, the best way to express anger is usually through some sort of prosocial, problem-solving behavior. In other words, the best approach is usually to try and solve whatever problem caused the anger in the first place.




Anger can cause a variety of problems for people


Everyone knows that anger can be problematic for people. We have all read about cases of people who lost their temper and hurt someone or hurt themselves. However, people don't always recognize the scope of the types of problems that can emerge from anger. While arguments, damaged relationships, physical fights, and risky driving are fairly common, we see several other types of consequences that emerge from maladaptive anger. For example, it's not uncommon for people to damage property, intentionally or unintentionally, while in a fit of rage. It's also not uncommon for people to abuse substances, including nicotine and alcohol, when angry. Chronic anger has been known to lead to long-term health consequences and, finally, anger can lead people to experience other uncomfortable emotions like sadness, fear, or guilt.

me gots myself a new muse

no, i'm not nice to everyone. and no, i am not flirting with everyone. i'm nice to only you. i am flirting with only you.

funny, i do not see myself that way. i guess i'm not a woman after all





you + me

(click the photo to enlarge)



How I Fell in Love With Russell Brand

He was on the rehearsal of MTV Awards 2009, on the stage, when someone threw a bottle on him.  It was Katy Perry.  They exchanged witty and sarcastic one-liners to each other on the stage while the MTV crew watched and laughed at them.  At that time Russel felt sick to his stomach as he wondered why he was feeling very weird.  After his rehearsal he went to Katy and talked for a bit.  He saw her metal bangle and said. "nice bracelet".  Katy responded thanks, took off the bracelet, and wore it to Russel. 


When Russel was about to leave he went to see Katy again to return the bracelet.  "We should talk more", said Rusell.  And Katy wittingly answered, "And how are we able to do that, smoke signals?"



Russell gave Katy his cellphone number which Katy took - a sign that she was interested.  As he was about to leave, he gave out the bracelet but Katy refused to get it and said that he should keep it to remind Russell of her.  But Russell looked at her, realizing the reason why he felt sick and weird all along, quietly answered, "I don't need this to remind me of you."

---


Great story of how Russell fell for Katy.  I read this on parts of his new book.  Ugh.  I know very little about Russell but I instantly had a crush on him the moment I saw his face on the trailer of Forgetting Sarah Marshall.  I love his being since then..  for me, he is the epitome of sexy.  Specially his English accent. rawrrr


Ah yes, I am finally admitting it - Russel Brand has secretly been my longtime crush.  I do not know why I didn't tell anyone.  Well, not until now.  yihee.  I just think he has a good soul to back up his good looks. =)

theme number 4: places.

Lamps of Morocco



Phuket from Dusk 'til Dawn



How to Alleviate Anger

"Anger is one letter away from danger."




I'm starting this pitch by saying 'accept love and sincerity and goodness without question.  Not everyone is out to get you.




There are many things to be angry about - disappointments, frustrations, indifferences, character clashes, very pushy people, failed expectations, delays, stupidity, insensitivity - name it - we all experienced it.  It's just that each of us treats it differently.  Some people enjoy the presence of anger in their hearts.  In my case, I stopped giving too much time thinking about it.  mainly because I was given a second chance at life.  I am alive, God never cease to show miracles in my life, I got NOTHING to be angry about.




But anger is innate, an initial reaction, and I still get angry sometimes.  But I know my way around it now.  For example - I know I write good stuff when I'm angry so whenever I am pissed off - I isolate and write.  I don't give my time dwelling on anger, it is beneath me.  I do not let it reside in my heart.




And I realized I've got to alleviate pain and anger in my heart because it only gets in the way of me being a freespirit.  I just breathe, devour, savor and chomp on life like a crazy motherfucker.  Life is fun, life is short - live it or it will pass you by.




I'm showing you the good stuff here.  I'm not saying I am a good person - I'm just sharing my how-to's (if in case you haven't realized it yet.  check out most of my blog titles.  i want to be the how-to girl like Andi of "How to Lose a Guy". wink wink. ambitious much)  


And lastly, we have got to take out the anger because seriously, we don't benefit from it at all.  We'll even harbor more negative thoughts that comes with being angry - like pain, bitterness, revenge, envy, and getting stressed.

fight club, one of my favorite violent films of all time =)

quick fix: how to de-stress in less than a minute

(repost)


---o0o---

1. Read a Poem

Take 45 seconds to savor a single haiku, or read over your favorite sonnet. Beautiful language can really twist your mind in a way that helps to push away the cares of the day.

And even if poetry isn’t really your thing, you might find enjoyment in reading something with a humorous bent. Think Shel Silverstein, Ogden Nash, or Dr. Seuss.

2. Blow Off Some Steam

Get up and get moving, just for the amount of time it takes to hum a couple rounds of “Happy Birthday”. If you can burn off some of that nervous energy, you’ll feel energized, refreshed, and far more mentally capable of handling the stresses of your day.

If you can get some sun in during those precious few seconds, so much the better. Never underestimate the power of fresh air and sunshine to improve your mood.

3. Follow Your Nose

I’ve written about the benefits of aromatherapy in a previous post here, and I’m still impressed by the speed with which a single sniff of perfume can change my mood. If you don’t have essential oils on hand, peel an orange at your desk and crush the rind in your hand to release the scent of the orange. Orange is a great scent to help you feel energized and rejuvenated.

4. Elevate Your Brain

Meditate, pray, commune with nature…whatever works for you. Take a few moments to center yourself, open your mind, and get spiritual…if that sort of thing is helpful for you.

5. Pump Your Jam

There’s a reason that sporting arenas play songs when introducing the starting lineup for a sports team. The right song can change your outlook on life in under 45 seconds. The trick is to find a song snippet that works for you.

Maybe it’s the “Tro lo lo” guy, something off a Jock Jams compilation album, or the over-the-top intro to “The Final Countdown”. Alternatively, maybe a snippet of something classical would be better for calming you. It comes down to personal preference, and exactly what about your day has got you so stressed out.

6. Don’t Forget to Breathe

Breathe in through your nose, and out through your mouth. Slowly. Repeat. Make sure the breaths are steady and full.

It’s just that simple.

7. Chuckle

Hit the randomizer button on your favorite web comic, engage in cube warfare with a co-worker, or check out a website that offers a “Joke of the Day” service. Laughter really is the best medicine, and if you can laugh away the stress, your outlook for the rest of the day will be a lot more rosy.

8. Organize

Sometimes the best way to tackle stress is to clean house and get organized. Set up a new email filter, organize your paperwork, clean the clutter off your desk, or something along those lines. When you have all your ducks in a row, so to speak, your workload will seem a lot more manageable.

9. Snuggle Up

Get cuddly with a pet, a blanket, a favorite sweater….anything soft that you stroke with your fingertips. Just like Lenny in “Of Mice and Men”, most people find that they reach their “happy place” when touching something soft like fur or textiles. Scratching a dog or cat behind the ears can help to quickly lower your blood pressure…if there aren’t any pets allowed in your office, try carrying a lucky rabbit’s foot.

10. Chow Down

Eating or drinking helps to relax us. That’s why we give pacifiers to babies. Just try to make sure you’re making smart food choices (ie, choose a crunchy apple over a bag of potato chips).

Conclusion

There just aren’t enough hours in the day to get everything done. Stress management is an incredibly important tool, and the more techniques you can master to lower your blood pressure, the better. With just 45 seconds, you can de-stress and re-focus your mind to maximize your productivity.