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Malayan Science helps working parents beat burnout, practice mindfulness

Thursday, June 30, 2022

As the COVID-19 pandemic brought about challenges and caused fear in people across the world, some individuals may have changed life perspectives negatively.

To address this and help individuals, particularly working parents, switch back to familiar ways and practices, Malayan High School of Science hosted a webinar titled “Your Well-Being Matters: Beating Burnout and Practicing Mindfulness for Working Parents” last June 4.

Facilitated by Alyssa Claire T. Firmalo, a licensed psychometrician and Malayan Science’s guidance counselor, the webinar dealt with well-being myths and realities, emotional burnout, and practicing mindfulness.

Quoting American scientist, writer, and meditation teacher Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn, Firmalo defined mindfulness as the awareness that arises from paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally. “To practice mindfulness, one must know their intention, acknowledge that they can only live in the moment and the future is yet to come, and stand back and be more objective with the information they receive,” Firmalo said.

Nowadays, transitioning from work-from-home to onsite reporting setups is among the familiar sources of stress and burnout for working parents, as the adjustment may bring them exhaustion in performing both their roles as workers and parents.

According to Firmalo, practicing mindfulness helps working parents adjust as they become more objective about their situation.

“We start seeing things from a panoramic view rather than the up-close front of our situations or problems. We are also reminded to observe our thoughts, feelings, and emotions as they come and pass,” she said.

Firmalo highlighted that working parents experiencing stress and burnout might affect children negatively, as they may become ineffective, exhausted, and emotionally distant from their children. With this, one must look after their physical and mental well-being.

“In order to help others, we need to be fully focused and at our best. We need to look after our own mental health and well-being first so that we can look after those we care for,” she said.

To overcome stress and burnout, should one experience them, one must remember to appreciate the present and the things around them, be okay with their emotions and let them dissipate in more gentle rather than reactive ways, and do activities that nourish them.

Furthermore, one must engage their senses through simple deeds, as this makes them fully present and have a sense of gratitude.

“Simple actions really help you do the rewiring,” Firmalo noted.

The webinar was spearheaded by Malayan Science’s Center for Guidance and Counseling, which implements programs that support the school in creating an environment that is conducive to learning and in providing the means to help the students achieve their optimum potentials. To learn more about Malayan Science and its academic and development programs, visit www.malayanscience.edu.ph.