Photos and interviews by Femi Harris and Tiffny Rhodius
This week we asked the man and the woman in the street what they do to relieve stress when it comes knocking.
Erwin Blackman, Driver
I have something to eat then I tidy up and head to bed. Driving calls for a lot of concentration. You don’t want to have a nervous breakdown with 30 people so when I get the chance I sleep. When I’m not driving I sleep most of the time.
Lloyd Barclay, Driver
I don’t allow stress to control me because I try to understand my situation and the reasons for being pressured. I live on a resort so I have all the things needed: gym, music, to make that possible. I deal with situations differently so I don’t really let myself be stressed. I keenly study people’s reaction and deal with the problem if it arises.
Sandra Crawford, retired public sector employee
Most of us know our week starts on Sunday and presently I’m a retiree. All I do is take care of my daughter’s three children. I am a child of God and what would settle me down after a hard day is a bath and I would read and watch television. However the television does not have proper family programmes so that’s stress too so I just read the word, take a bath and sleep.
Zipporah Williams, Housewife
I like cooking and swimming and I also like to watch TV and movies when it gets stressful. I have a baby so there isn’t much that I can do besides look after my family and squeeze in whatever little I can to relax.
Michael Marks, self-employed
I buy some ice-cream and biscuits and things and watch African Moods with my children. I don’t take on stress I ignore it and go on with my life.
W Cheong, private sector employee
When I finish working I go home have dinner, a bath and then I go to bed. The more you take on stress the more problems you get so that is why I don’t take on stress.
Carlon Barker, private sector employee
I watch the news and I party sometimes but for me finding out about what goes on in the rest of the world is relaxing. It also allows me to think of ways of developing myself as an individual and it provides examples of what can be done to develop this country.
Savitree Ramnarine, Private sector employee
I try to get two to three hours of sleep. Sunday is my relaxing day but even then I still have stress because I have to be preparing food for the next day. I have to get up very early to make these foods so whenever I have a little free time I try to catch up on sleep. On Sundays I’ll listen to music but basically its sleep and then up to work.
Colene Jones, self-employed
I look at news and movies and I do some reading. I find news relaxing because it helps me takes my mind off the stress of the day.
Alvena Johnson, Student
I like reading because it is both relaxing and captivating. I also find being on my computer and listening to music helps me to take the load off when I’m stressed. Then there is dancing, it allows me to free up. Writing songs and poems also helps me to clear my mind and it is a way to channel the pent up negative energy. I also find hanging out with my friend is also a way to ease the stress.
