 PRELIM PERIOD 

UNIT 1 THE SELF FROM VARIOUS PERSPECTIVES

This unit covers the topic on: A. Philosophy, B. Sociology, C. Psychology,

D. Anthropology, and E. Oriental/ Eastern Thought

A. PHILOSOPHY

Ancient Philosophy (1000 BC to 500 AD)

The Ancient Triumvirate are:

1. Socrates
2. Aristotle
3. Plato

Socrates

“Know thy self” means:

1. Man must live and stand according to his nature

2. Man must look at himself

“An unexamined life is not worth living.”

The fundamental question is to find what?

1. Invitation to introspection: Platonic theory of reminiscence

2. Knowledge is within, inherent in man; not outside
3. Wisdom is learning to reflect

By what means?

1. The Socratic Method: Dialogue between the soul and itself

2. Between a student and his teacher

Two Aspects of Reality

1. Physical World - Changeable, transient, imperfect World of

Senses/Matter
2. Spiritual World - Unchanging, eternal, perfect World of Ideas/Form

*Dualistic Reality: Body and Soul

Our Soul (Self)
 1. Strive for wisdom and perfection
2. Reason is the soul’s tool to achieve such state
3. A unified, indissoluble, immortal entity that remains the same over
time
4. That is in the very likeness of the divine

Plato

3-Part Soul/Self (Psyche)

1. Reason: the divine essence that lets us think deeply (wisdom), make
wise choices, and achieve a true understanding of eternal truths
2. Physical Appetite: accounts for the basic biological needs such as
hunger, thirst and sexual desire
3. Spirit/Passion: accounts for the basic emotions such as love, anger,
ambition, aggressiveness, and empathy

a. The three are in a dynamic relationship with each other: in

agreement or in conflict
b. But it is the responsibility of the Reason to restore harmony among
the three
c. Harmony: justice in the individual, social, and political levels

Aristotle

1. The mind (self) is Tabula Rasa – a blank slate

2. Self is composed of matter and form
a. Matter is in a continuous process of developing and becoming
3. The Process of Completion is through experiences
a. Knowledge is acquired through the senses
4. Self comes from a First Cause, the source of all changes although
unchangeable itself
5. The goal of the human self is reached in happiness through
moderation or balance of things

The Post-Aristotelians

1. Maintains the dualism between body and soul

2. More ethical in the ideas

a. Moral norms: attainment of happiness

Stoicism - Apathy or indifference to pleasure
Hedonism - “Eat, drink, and be happy. For tomorrow, you will
die.”
 Epicureanism - Moderate pleasure

Questions to ponder during the Medieval Philosophy!

1. Is the Self related to a supreme being - God?

2. Who am I in relation to a supreme being – God?

Medieval Philosophy (500 AD – 1350 AD)

Theo-centric

1. From the scientific investigation on nature and search for happiness

to the question of life and salvation in another realm, in a better world
(i.e., the afterlife)
2. Influence from ancient thought:
a. The (human) self-endures through time
3. More imposing than informing, because it was trying to aim at
paganism and barbarism
4. There was an aim to merge philosophy and religion (Christian,
Jewish, Muslim)

St. Augustine (Theologian, Philosopher)

1. Integrates Platonic ideas with the tenets of Christianity

2. Platonic Realm of Idea = Christian Philosophy of a Transcendent God
3. The self-strives to achieve union with God through faith and reason

St. Thomas Aquinas

1. Self-knowledge is dependent on our experience of the world around

us (objects in our environment)
2. We don’t encounter ourselves as isolated minds or selves, but rather
always as agents interacting with our environment

a. The labels we attribute to ourselves are taken from the things we

encounter in our environment
Examples: Gardener, Artist, Kind, Loving - “The things that we
love tell us what we are.”

If St. Thomas tells us that our knowledge is based on our encounter of

things, does this mean that we get to know everything simply by experiencing it?

1. Experiencing that something exists doesn’t tell us what it is

2. Knowing and learning about a thing requires a long process of
understanding; same with the mind and the self – with experience and
reason
 Questions to ponder during the Modern Philosophy!

1. How can I be sure that the self exists?

2. What the proofs that the self exists?

Modern Philosophy (14th Century to the early 20th Century)

Genuine knowledge has to be based on independent rational inquiry and
real world experimentation, rather than dependent on knowledge handed down
by authorities

Anthropocentric

1. Thinkers began to reject the scholastics’ (medieval thinkers)

excessive reliance on authority
2. Period of radical social, political and intellectual developments

RENE DESCARTES - “Cogito ergo sum”

1. “I think, therefore, I am”

2. Human identity: self-awareness
3. The Self if a thinking thing which can exist independently of the body

Dualism

1. Thinking (Spiritual) Self

a. Governed by laws of reason & God’s Will
2. Physical Body
a. Governed by the laws of nature

JOHN LOCKE

1. The self is endured because of memory

2. Conscious awareness and memory of previous experiences are the
keys to understanding the self

DAVID HUME

1. Impressions – basic sensations of experiences

2. The self is a “bundle or collection of different perceptions, which
succeed each other in an inconceivable rapidity, and are in perpetual
flux and movement”

IMMANUEL KANT

1. A priori concepts
 2. The self actively organizes all the sensations and thoughts into a
picture that makes sense to each one of us
3. Self as subject, not object

SIGMUND FREUD (Father of Psychoanalysis)

1. The self is multi-tiered/multi-layered:

a. Conscious – refers to those thoughts and feelings that we are

aware of
b. Preconscious – experiences that are unconscious but could
become conscious with little effort
c. Unconscious – contains all drives, urges or instincts that are
beyond our awareness but motivate our feelings, thoughts and
behavior

GILBERT RYLE

1. The self is defined in terms of behavior that is presented to the world

2. The self is a pattern of behavior, the tendency or disposition for a
person to behave in a certain way in certain circumstances

PAUL CHURCHLAND - Eliminative Materialism

1. Grounded in neuroscience
2. The mind/self is the brain

Contemporary Philosophy (Late 19th Century)

1. Political Revolution
2. Industrial Revolution
3. Scientific advancements and growth of materialism
4. Theory of Evolution
5. More humanist as a response to the so-called alienation of the human
person

EDMUND HUSSERL

1. We experience our self as a unity which the mental and physical are
seamlessly woven together

MAURICE MERLEAU-PONTY - “Lived Body”

 1. An entity that can never be objectified or known in a completely
objective sort of way, as opposed to the “body as object” of the
dualists
2. “There is no duality of substance but dialectic of living being in its
biological milieu”

Questions to ponder!

1. Which among these Philosophies can you relate with?

2. How do they affect the way you see yourself?

B. SOCIOLOGY

The self as a product of modern society among other constructions

The Self in the Sociological Perspective

1. Classical sociological perspective: the self is a relatively stable set

of perceptions of who we are in relation to ourselves, others, and to
social systems

a. The self is socially constructed in the sense that it is shaped

through interaction with other people
b. As with socialization in general, the individual is not a passive
participant in this process and have a powerful influence over how
this process and its consequences develop

The Looking Glass Self (Charles Horton Cooley)

1. A person’s self grows out of a person´s social interaction with others

2. The view of ourselves comes from the contemplation of personal
qualities and impressions of how others perceive us
3. Actually, how we see ourselves does not come from who we really
are, but rather from how we believe others see us

Johari Window (Joseph Luft & Harrington Ingham)

Technique used to enhance the individual's perception on self and others.

Known to the Not known to

self the self
Known to Open/Area Blind spot
others
Not known Hidden/Facade Unknown
to others
C. PSYCHOLOGY

The self-based on psychoanalytic approach and cognitive construction

The Self Based on Psychoanalytic Approach

Structure of the Self (Sigmund Freud)

1. ID (Biological Self) - Pleasure Principle

a. Natural part of the self

b. Animalistic nature of man
c. Pleasure seeking part of the personality
d. Determined by the genetic code
e. Providing the raw materials
f. Setting the boundary conditions for development

❖ The ID represents the basic need of man.

a. If it is not satisfied, it could result to stress and tension.

b. If satisfied, it could give you comfort and joy.
c. If the id is angered or provoked it could destroy not only himself
but also his surrounding
d. If the id is properly controlled, it could bring warmth and comfort

2. SUPEREGO (Social Self) - Idealistic Principle

a. The superego incorporates the values and morals of society

which are learned from one's parents and others

3. EGO (Psychological Self) - Reality Principle

a. The only region of the mind that is in contact with reality; it

operates to fulfil the reality principle
b. The ego constantly tries to reconciles the irrational wants of the
id and the superego with the realistic demands of the world

ID SUPEREGO
“I want to do that “It’s not right to
now” do that”

EGO
 “Maybe we can
compromise”

The job of the ego or self is to balance the aggressive drives of the id with
the moral control of the superego.

Description

1. When the scale is out of balance, it is the responsibility of the EGO to

mediate the conflict between the ID and SUPEREGO
2. Weak ego will lead to ANXIETY
3. To protect the ego from anxiety, we use DEFENSE MECHANISMS

Ego Defense Mechanisms

1. Repression: when the ego is threatened, it unconsciously forgets or

blocks unpleasant feelings
2. Displacement: redirecting unacceptable urges to less threatening
people or objects
3. Regression: the ego may revert back to an earlier stage during times
of stress or anxiety
4. Projection: attributing the unwanted impulse to another person.
5. Sublimation: suppression of unwanted impulses by substituting it
with a creative cultural accomplishment

Functionalism (William James)

1. Focused on the operation of conscious activity

a. Example: thinking and learning
2. Study of man’s adjustment to his environment
a. Materials
b. Capacities
c. Skills

The Self as a Cognitive Construction

Symbolic Interactionism (George Herbert Mead)

“I and the Me” self

1. Two aspects of self-awareness:

a. The “me” is the socialized aspect of the person
b. The “I” is the active aspect of the person

Imaginary Audience
 1. Adolescents are thought to believe that others are always watching
and evaluating them, and that they are special and unique

Self-Concept

1. Mental representation

a. What we look like

b. How we feel in different types of situation
c. How we behave towards others
d. What do we do at work?
e. What are the roles we have in the family or society?

Real and Ideal Self (Carl Rogers)

1. A person's ideal self may not be consistent with what actually

happens in life and experiences of the person
2. Hence, a difference may exist between a person's ideal self and
actual experience
3. Carl Rogers believed that for a person to achieve self-actualization
they must be in a state of congruence

Self as defined by Social Comparison (Leon Festinger)

1. TEMPORAL COMPARISON

a. Considering your present condition in relation to how you were in

the past

2. SOCIAL COMPARISON

a. Evaluating yourself in comparison to others – using others as a

basis for evaluating your attributes

How does the social comparison process work?

Depending on the level of someone’s motivation, he/she may have the

tendency to compare himself/herself with others either in an UPWARD or
DOWNWARD kind of comparison

Two Modes of Social Comparison

1. Upward social comparison

 a. When we compare ourselves with those who we believe are better
than us
b. Often focus on the desire to improve our current level of ability
c. A highly motivated person tends to engage in upward
comparisons, and usually assume himself/herself as better or
equal to the “best person”
d. Studies have shown that if given a chance, people choose to make
upward comparisons instead of downward ones

2. Downward social comparison

a. When we compare themselves to others who are worse off than

ourselves
b. Often centered on making ourselves feel better about our abilities
c. A person who is unhappy or is unmotivated usually engages in this
to feel better about himself/herself

Two Modes of Downward Social Comparison

1. Passive downward comparison

a. Happens when a person takes into consideration the previous

condition in making comparison
b. Example: A low performing student comparing himself/herself
with a worse off student

2. Active downward comparison

a. Happens when a person compares himself/herself with others by

demeaning or causing harm to them
b. By derogating the target or causing harm to him/her, this person
generates a situation in which the target is worse off than him/her,
therefore giving him/her the chance to make a downward
comparison

Self-Evaluation and Self-Enhancement

Motivation plays a role in this model and is manifested by self-evaluation

and self-enhancement.

Description

1. Self-evaluation occurs when someone looks for positive traits in

himself/herself based on the best person he/she compares
himself/herself with self-enhancement
 2. Self-enhancement, on the other hand, occurs when the person
questions which aspects of himself/herself need to be improved to
reach the level of goodness of the person he/she is comparing
himself/herself with self-esteem

Self-Esteem

1. Used to describe a person's overall sense of self-worth or personal

value
2. In other words, it refers to how much you appreciate and like yourself
3. Self-esteem is often seen as a personality trait, which means that it
tends to be stable and enduring reference group

Reference Group

1. A group to which an individual or another group is compared

2. Sociologists call any group that individuals use as a standard for
evaluating themselves and their own behavior a reference group

The Creation of Identities

1. One’s identity must balance the need to be similar to one’s reference

group with the need to be a unique individual

a. Children become aware of the need for a group identity and are
often afraid or acting differently
b. Teens often seem torn between the need to assert their own
individual identity and the need to conform to their reference
group
c. New identities are forged in relation to work, parenthood,
economic status, and ageing

D. ANTHROPOLOGY

The self and person in contemporary anthropology & the self being
embedded in culture

Western Self vs. non-western Self

Western Self

1. autonomous and egocentric

Non-western self
 1. identity shared with others and derived from a culture instead of a
“self”

Individualism vs. Collectivism

Individualism

1. A human being has an individualistic nature and is an independent

part of the universe and the society

Individual rights Independence is Being dependent

take center highly valued upon others is
stage often considered
shameful or
embarrassing

People tend to The rights of People often

be self-reliant individuals tend place a greater
to take a higher emphasis on
precedence standing out and
being unique

Collectivism.

1. A human being is an integral part of the universe and the society

2. People are fundamentally connected
3. Duty towards all others is a very important matter

Social rules focus on Working as a group and

promoting selflessness and putting supporting others is essential
the community needs ahead of
individual needs

People are encouraged to do what's Families and communities have a

best for society central role

THE SELF IN ORIENTAL/EASTERN THOUGHT

The self as embedded in relationships and through spiritual development in

Confucian thought
 Asian Schools of Thought

1. Buddhism (Siddhartha Gautama)

a. Buddha discovered why life is filled with suffering and how humanity
can escape from this unhappy existence

Experience in the transformations of consciousness and stages of

meditation

Buddha denies the self: no self, no individual

a. No-self is the nature of an intuitive and subjective perception toward

oneself beyond the ordinary range of human experience that is full of
the anxieties and defensiveness
b. To study the self is to deny the self
c. When self becomes anxiety-free, one can act spontaneously

Everything is impermanent in the continuous becoming of lived experience

Implies emphasis on compassion for others and conduct ourselves with

restraint out of a sense of responsibility

2. Hinduism (Fusion of various Indian cultures and traditions)

a. Hindus believe that an individual’s action (karma) – the bad or good

actions that the individual performed in a previous life determines his
or her caste

In simple terms, the law of karma suggests that a person's mental

and physical actions are binding
The law of karma is very much verifiable in real life
We all have seen in our own lives, and in nature too, that we reap
what we sow
Our successes and failures are mostly products of our own
thoughts and actions

3. Taoism (Lao-Tzu)

a. Relativity of opposites (i.e., yin and yang)

Self does not exist without the existence of the Other

 a. Self as a separate identity is supported by the equal and opposite
sensation of otherness

4. Confucianism (Confucius)

a. The Self in Confucianism is the starting point of a constructive

process
b. For western philosophers, the concept of the self is the end of their
searches
c. It is only through the continuous opening up of the self to others that
the self can maintain its wholesome personal identity
d. A person who is not responsive to others is self-centered

Confucian self is relational and interdependent

a. Belief that certain sets of human relationships are basis for moral
community
Ruler and minister
Friend and friend
Elder and younger brother
Husband and wife
Father and son

Filial piety is a foundational concept in the thought of Confucius

a. to be good to one's parents

b. to take care of one's parents
c. to engage in good conduct not just towards parents but also outside
the home so as to bring a good name to one's parents and ancestors
d. to ensure male heirs
e. display sorrow for their parents’ sickness and death
f. to bury their parents and carry out sacrifices after their death
  MIDTERM PERIOD 

UNIT 2: Unpacking the Self

This unit covers the: A. Physical Self, B. Sexual Self, C. Material/ Economic
Self, D. Spiritual Self, E. Political Self, and F. Digital Self

A. PHYSICAL SELF

The self as impacted by the body

“Learn how to see. Realize that everything connects to everything else.”

Leonardo da Vinci

1. "I am not who I think I am. I am not who you think I am. I am who I think
you think I am.”

Charles Horton Cooley

1. It is the concrete dimension, the tangible aspect of the person that

can be directly observed and examined.
2. “Physical Self/Body is an initial source of sensation and necessary
for the origin and maintenance of personality”

William James

Psychosexual Theory of Development (Sigmund Freud)

1. In the Psychoanalytical school, Sigmund Freud's construction of self

and personality makes the physical body the core of human
experience.
2. Oral, anal, phallic, latency and genital stage

Psychosocial Theory of Development (Erik Erikson)

1. The role of bodily organs is especially important in early

developmental stages of a person’s life.
2. Later in life, the development of physical as well as intellectual skills
help determine whether the individual will achieve a sense of
competence and ability to choose demanding roles in a complex
society.

a. How they view themselves.

 b. How they view others.
c. How they think others view them!

Somatic Society (Bryan Turner)

1. The sociology of the body become an established discipline in the

1990’s.
2. Bryan Turner, coined the term “somatic society” which means the
new found importance of the body in contemporary society.

The obsession to have a beautiful face & body

Eating Disorders (DSM-5)

1. Anorexia Nervosa - characterized by loss of body weight and refusal

to eat. Appetite is usually intact.
2. Bulimia Nervosa - characterized by recurrent and frequent binge
eating with or without vomiting.

The demand for Cosmetic Surgery and Skin Whiteners

Body Dysmorphic Disorder (DSM-5)

1. characterized by a distressing and impairing preoccupation with an

imagined or slight defect in appearance.

Body Shaming

1. Criticizing your own appearance, through a judgment or comparison

to another person.
2. Criticizing another’s appearance in front of them
3. Criticizing another’s appearance without their knowledge.

a. Many people especially women spend tremendous expenditure

of time, effort and money to alter their appearances to resemble
an ideal image.
b. What is your ideal physique of a MAN and a WOMAN?
Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder...
We are NOT JUST our bodies.
We live in our bodies, but our bodies do not make up
EVERYTHING THAT we are.

B. SEXUAL SELF

Understanding one’s identity and sexuality

 Biological PersPective of one’s sex

1. At conception, egg and sperm unite to create a new organism that

incorporates some characteristics of each parent.
2. The first 22 pairs are called AUTOSOMES. The last pair is known as
the SEX CHROMOSOMES.
3. Genetic basis for Sex Determination:

a. X Chromosome
b. Y Chromosome

Human Reproductive System

Secondary Sex Characteristics

Erogenous Zones

1. where the libido is centered (according to Freud)

2. parts of the body that experience heightened sensitivity and/or signal
sexual arousal of some kind
3. Needs stimulation by engaging the person in gratifying activities

The Sexual Response Cycle

Is a model that describes the physiological responses, that occur during

sexual activity.

The hypothalamus is the most important part of the brain for sexual
functioning. It produces important sexual hormones that are then secreted by the
pituitary gland.

Sex hormones that influence sexual behavior include:

a. Oxytocin, Prolactin, Vasopressin

b. Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
c. Others include testosterone in males and estrogen and progesterone
in females.

1. Desire (Libido)

a. The stage in which a man or woman begins to want or "desire" sexual

intimacy or gratification, may last anywhere from a moment to many
years.
2. Excitement (Arousal)

a. Muscle tension increases.

b. Heart rate quickens and breathing is accelerated.
c. Skin may become flushed (blotches of redness appear on the chest
and back).
d. Nipples become hardened or erect.
e. Blood flow to the genitals increases, resulting in swelling of the
woman's clitoris and labia minora (inner lips), and erection of the
man's penis.
f. Vaginal lubrication begins.
g. The woman's breasts become fuller and the vaginal walls begin to
swell.

3. Plateau

a. The changes begun in phase 1 are intensified.

b. The vagina continues to swell from increased blood flow, and the
vaginal walls turn a dark purple.
c. The woman's clitoris becomes highly sensitive (may even be painful
to touch) and retracts under the clitoral hood to avoid direct
stimulation from the penis.
d. The man's testicles are withdrawn up into the scrotum.
e. Breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure continue to increase.
f. Muscle spasms may begin in the feet, face, and hands.

4. Orgasm (Climax)

a. Involuntary muscle contractions begin.

b. Blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing are at their highest rates,
with a rapid intake of oxygen.
c. Muscles in the feet spasm.
d. There is a sudden, forceful release of sexual tension.
e. In women, the muscles of the vagina contract. The uterus also
undergoes rhythmic contractions.
f. In men, rhythmic contractions of the muscles at thebase of the penis
result in the ejaculation of semen.

5. Resolution

a. Swelled and erect body parts return to their previous size and color.
b. This phase is marked by a general sense of well-being, enhanced
intimacy and, often, fatigue.
c. Refractory period

Chemistry of Lust, Attraction and Attachment

 a. Lust and attraction shut off the prefrontal cortex of the brain, which
includes rational behavior.
b. The hypothalamus regulates the function of the pituitary gland to
secrete hormones.
c. The hypothalamus of the brain plays a big role in stimulating the
production of the sex hormones testosterone and estrogen from the
testes and ovaries
d. Attraction involves the brain pathways that control “reward”
behavior, which partly explains why the first few weeks or months of
a relationship can be so exhilarating and even all-consuming.
e. High levels of dopamine and norepinephrine are released during
attraction. These chemicals make us giddy, energetic, and euphoric,
even leading to decreased appetite and insomnia.
f. Attachment is the predominant factor in long term relationships.
While lust and attraction are pretty much exclusive to romantic
entanglements, attachment mediates friendships, parent-infant
bonding, social cordiality, and many other intimacies as well.
g. Primary hormones: oxytocin and vasopressin
h. Oxytocin (cuddle hormone) is produced by the hypothalamus and
released in large quantities during sex, breastfeeding, and childbirth.

Sex vs. Gender

Sex

a. Sex (sometimes called biological sex, anatomical sex, or physical

sex)
b. A person’s identity based on their physical characteristics, genes
and hormones.
c. Male: Penis
d. Female: Vagina
e. Intersex: chromosomes and hormones of a female/male but external
genital is like that of a male/female
f. Also refers to sexual acts, as in ‘having sex’
g. Primary and Secondary Sex characteristics

Gender

a. Gender is the structure of social relations that centers on the

reproductive arena, and the set of practices that bring reproductive
distinctions into social processes.
b. A term that refers to social or cultural distinctions associated with a
given sex; it is generally considered to be a socially constructed
concept.
 c. Gender underlies assumptions regarding ‘Masculine’ or ‘Feminine’
behavior
d. Refers to the attitudes, feelings and behaviors that a given culture
associates with a person's biological sex.
e. Behavior that is compatible with cultural expectations is referred to
as gender ‐ normative;
f. Behaviors that are viewed as incompatible with these expectations
constitute gender non ‐ conformity (APA, 2012).

Sexual Diversity

a. Sex and gender are often thought of as binary categories; that is, we
can be either male or female, or feminine or masculine. However, this
is a FALSE assumption.
b. Although sex can be quantified by DNA and genetic testing,
sometimes the results are difficult to make sense of with regard to
their social implications.

GENDER IDENTITY

Who you think you are

a. One's innermost concept of self as male, female, a blend of both or

neither – how individuals perceive themselves and what they call
themselves which can be the same or different from their sex
assigned at birth.
b. Gender identity, in nearly all instances, is self-identified, as a result
of a combination of inherent and extrinsic or environmental factors.
c. CISGENDER – A person whose gender identity matches his or her
assigned sex
d. TRANSGENDER – A person who’s lived experiences do not match
their assigned sex
Transwoman - person whose assigned sex is male and identifies
as a woman
Transman - person whose assigned sex is female and identifies as
a man

GENDER EXPRESSION

How you demonstrate who you are

a. Refers to the ways that humans choose to display their gender

identity to the world usually expressed through:
behavior,
clothing,
 b. haircut or voice - and which may/may not conform to socially defined
behaviors and characteristics typically associated with being either
masculine or feminine.

SEXUAL ORIENTATION/ATTRACTION

Who you are romantically and sexually into

a. Sexual orientation is all about who you are physically, spiritually, and
emotionally attracted to (specifically into sexual and romantic
attraction), and the labels tend to describe the relationships between
your gender and the gender types you’re attracted to.
Straight (Heterosexual) - Attracted to people of the opposite
gender
Gay/Lesbian (Homosexual) - Attracted to people of the same
gender
Bisexual - Can be attracted to both men and women

The Church and Sexuality

Sexual Intercourse

The two primary purposes of sexual intercourse are:

a. “UNITIVE” (unite the couple) and

b. “PROCREATIVE” (create more people).

Pope Francis on Sexuality

a. Pope Francis has repeatedly spoken about the need for the Catholic
Church to welcome and love all people regardless of sexual
orientation.

Sexually Transmitted Infections

a. 1 million STI cases everyday worldwide (WHO, 2016)

b. Estimated 357 million each year are infected by 1 of 4 STIs:
Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Trichomoniasis (WHO, 2016)
c. Drug resistance is a challenge esp. for Gonorrhea (WHO, 2018)
d. Poor young females are more vulnerable than well-off counterparts
(Abrigo, n.a.)

MOST COMMON SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS

Transition of the terms from “STD” to “STI” in an effort to clarify that not all
sexually transmitted infections turn into a disease
1. SYPHILIS

a. Caused by Treponema pallidum

b. painless open ulcers on the genitals, rectum, mouth, or skin
surface

2. TRICHOMONIASIS

a. Caused by Trichomonas vaginalis

b. foul-smelling vaginal discharge

3. GENITAL HERPES

a. Caused by Herpes Simplex Virus

b. Cluster of fluid filled blisters around genitals

4. GONORRHEA

a. Caused by Neisseria gonorrhea

b. Pus-like discharge from the tip of the penis/vagina

5. CHLAMYDIA

a. Caused by Chlamydia trachomatis

b. Inflamed cervix with frothy discharge

6. HIV and AIDS

a. TRANSMITTED THROUGH:
Unprotected sex
Drug addicts
Blood transfusion
Pregnancy
Non-sterile instruments

b. NOT TRANSMITTED THROUGH:

Touching
Food
Kissing
Insect bites
Swimming in pools

How to avoid STIs and AIDS

 a. ABSTINENCE
The most reliable way to avoid infection is to not have sex (i.e.,
anal, vaginal or oral).

b. VACCINATION
Vaccines are safe, effective, and recommended ways to prevent
hepatitis B and HPV.

c. MUTUAL MONOGAMY
Mutual monogamy means that you agree to be sexually active with
only one person, who has agreed to be sexually active only with
you.

C. MATERIAL/ECONOMIC SELF

The Self in association to his/her possessions

William James on the “self”

From his book The Principles of Psychology (1890)

“A man’s self is the sum total of all that he can call his, not only his body and
his psychic powers, but his clothes and his house, his wife and children, his
ancestors and friends, his reputation and works, his lands and horses, and yacht
and bank-account. All these things give him the same emotions. If they wax and
prosper, he feels triumphant; if they dwindle and die away, he feels cast down, -
not necessarily in the same degree for each thing, but in much the same way for
all.” - William James

Material Self - Refers to tangible objects, people, or places that carry the
designation my or mine.

1. BODILY SELF - refers to any part of our body. These entities are clearly
an intimate part of who we are.
2. EXTENDED SELF refers to anything that is beyond our body
(Psychological ownership)

Functions of Possessions – These possessions can go beyond their

functional value such as:

1. Influence
2. Power
3. Sympathy
4. Social status
 5. Emotions

Materialism – This refers to:

1. The importance a consumer attaches to worldly possessions.

2. The extent to which consumption becomes the primary source of
satisfaction, as well as the dominant mode of motivation.

Question to ponder. Can possessions really buy happiness and stability?

Symbolic Communication Model

1. Possessions as Symbolic Expressions of Identity

a. There’s an observation that one’s possessions are considered a

part of oneself. They are symbols and extensions of the personal
and social aspects of her identity/personhood.
b. Possession help people define themselves.
c. Possessions can enhance one’s image and develop a positive
sense of self.
d. It can be a reassurance that one is the person one wishes to be.
e. Goods and possessions are used to fill in or to compensate for the
person lacks.

2. Possessions and Self-Identity

For example: A recent Ph.D., for example, may prominently display his
diploma in an attempt to convince himself (and others) that he is the erudite
scholar he aspires to be. Even though you are not too smart or not qualified, so
long as you wear an expensive watch, a high-class pair of shoes and you have the
latest model of cellphone.

3. Conspicuous Consumption

Consumers own high-priced, status-oriented goods to impress others and

to convince them of their high social status.

4. Loss of Possessions

Acquisition of material possessions

Possessions become symbolic expression of self-identity

Loss of possessions

Loss of important aspect of self

 Negative reactions

5. Possessions as Unstable Meanings

a. Meaning is in a constant state of flux.

b. Cultural categories of person that help shape identity are subject
to constant manipulation by individuals, social groups, and
marketing agents.
c. Meanings of objects that are used to make visible and stabilize the
categories of culture are also subject to frequent change through
their appropriation in advertising, in television programming, and
among social subgroups.

6. Pets as Extensions of the Self

a. Pets have become parts of the extended self. Pets belong to the
top 5 possessions.
b. Positive relationship between self-esteem and owning pets
(Covert et al, 1985)
c. The dog as “co-therapist” (Levinson, 1962)
  SEMI-FINALS PERIOD 

D. SPIRITUAL SELF

The practice of religion: belief in supernatural being and power

1. Religion and Spirituality

a. Religion – an organized system of ideas about the spiritual or

supernatural realm, that is accompanied by rituals. Through
rituals, people attempt to influence things that they think are
beyond their control.
b. Spirituality – also concerns an aspect of the divine and
supernatural but is often times limited to the individual, with no
need for any formal organization. This is the search for meaning
and direction in life and the ways
c. The two are related: Although not separate from one another,
spirituality is much more profound than religion.

2. Religion: Rituals

a. Religions have rituals/ritu.

b. whatever is done repeatedly.

3. Two types of ritual

a. According to the Calendar (Calendric)

b. Based on crisis

4. Examples of Catholic Rituals

a. Fasting (Pag-aayuno)
b. Healing (Panggagamot)
c. Offering (Pag-aalay)
d. “Panalanging walang patid”
e. Attending mass (Pagmimisa)
f. Praying a novena (Pagnonobena)
g. Praying the rosary (Pagrorosaryo)
h. Senakulo

5. Philippine Mythology

a. Hula
b. Tawas
c. Kulam
 d. Dwende
e. Diwata
f. Ligaw na kaluluwa
g. Faith healer

6. Philippine Ethnic Religious Leaders and Places

a. BAYLAN UNDIN OF AGUSAN DEL SUR - leader in rituals

(“shamans”)
b. APUNG BENITA OF AYTA - one of the respected “mag-aanito.”
c. PILGRIMAGE TO MT. BANAHAW - considered as holy mountain,
where the spirits of Filipino heroes’ dwell.
d. THE MALE BABAYLAN (ASOG) - now considered as healers or
herbalists

7. The Meaning of Spirituality (Yabut, 2013)

a. It is phenomenological experience.
b. This has to do with the human being.

8. Stages of Faith Development for Adolescence (Fowler, 1981)

a. SYNTHETIC CONVENTIONAL STAGE (age 12 and up) - conformity

to authority and the religious development of a personal identity.
Any conflicts with one's beliefs are ignored at this stage due to the
fear of threat from inconsistencies.
b. INDIVIDUATIVE-REFLECTIVE STAGE (age 21 and up) - stage of
angst and struggle. The individual takes personal responsibility
for his or her beliefs and feelings. As one is able to reflect on one's
own beliefs, there is an openness to a new complexity of faith, but
this also increases the awareness of conflicts in one's belief.

9. Logotherapy (Victor Frankl) - Logotherapy aids individuals to find

personal meaning of life, whatever life situation they may be.

a. Someone – special someone, friend, children, and family

b. Deed, Act or Work – finding fulfilment and/or being passionate
about one’s work/deed
c. Suffering – through rumination/contemplation, we get to have a
deeper sense of our self and experiences.

E. POLITICAL SELF

Developing a Filipino Identity

 Political Self – an increasing awareness of the deeply dysfunctional and
divisive nature of many of our traditional political and economic institutions.

1. Politics, Citizenship and the Self

a. Politics – refers to the actions or activities concerned with achieving

and using power in a nation or society.
b. Politics as imbibed by man implies several things:
Concerned with power
Functions based on a particular social economic and cultural
context
Based on one’s personality
Goes hand in hand with the society

2. Active Citizenship

a. Structured forms of engagement with political processes and

everyday forms of participation in a society.
b. Engaging in such activities can also enhance efficacy and
competence of the younger generation, as they are considered to be
the “future leaders of the society”

3. Political Self among Filipinos in the Present

a. The SWS survey was conducted through face-to-face interviews with

1,440 adults 18 years old and above.
b. One out of 4 Filipinos looks for senatorial candidates who "will not be
corrupt"

4. Political Preferences and Socio-economic Status

F. DIGITAL SELF

Self and identity in the cyberspace

1. Cyber-psychology

a. New field within applied psychology

b. Branch of psychology that examines:
how we interact with others using technology
how our behavior is influenced by technology
how technology can be developed to best suit our needs
how our psychological states can be affected by technologies?
how we interact with others using technology
how our behavior is influenced by technology
how technology can be developed to best suit our needs
 how our psychological states can be affected by technologies?
c. Mainly focused in the world wide web specifically Social Media

Other technologies involved:

a. Online and offline gaming such as video games

b. Mobile computing
c. Artificial intelligence
d. Virtual reality
e. Augmented reality

2. Self and identity in the cyberspace

a. Identity – development of one’s self-concept, including one’s thought

and feelings about oneself

ONLINE WORLD

ACTUAL SELF OUGHT SELF IDEAL SELF

ONLINE ANONYMITY

Gives people the chance to present any of these three selves and hence
permits individuals to better present aspect of their true selves than they would
feel capable of doing in a face-to-face interaction

3. Environments affecting the online behavior

a. Identifiable Offline world

any deviance from established social norms may be punished or
ridiculed.
A person’s true self is often inhibited

b. Anonymous Online World

the masks people wear offline are often discarded and their ‘true’
selves allowed to emerge.
E.g. negative rants in Twitter, Facebook freedom walls

c. Identifiable Online world

People may tend to express their “hoped-for possible selves”
(socially pleasing identities)
e.g. Edited and filtered photos in Facebook, posting of
achievements

4. Online Behavior Theories

 a. EQUALIZATION HYPOTHESIS (Kiesler et al., 1984)
With the removal of the social cues, a reduction of associated
stereotypes may occur, and therefore may lead to increased
social power in the online world
Individuals who hold less power in society should have increased
power in the online environment
E.g. posting of unique contents/complaints in social media to gain
attention

b. SOCIAL IDENTITY MODEL OF DEINDIVIDUATION EFFECTS (SIDE)

THEORY (Zimbardo, 1979)
Importance of the situational explicit variables in a social situation
Strengthens the influence of social norms and their effect when
social identity is strong
E.g. joining Facebook groups with similar beliefs/values

5. Impression Management

a. selectively-self presenting or editing messages to reveal socially

desirable attitudes and dimensions of the self

6. The role of anonymity in impression management

Six (6) different types of Privacy (Pederson, 1979)

a. Reserve
b. Isolation
c. Intimacy with family
d. Intimacy with friends
e. Solitude
f. Anonymity
Positive effect in the role of privacy or the amount of contact that
someone has with others
Negative effect – increased aggression and antisocial behavior
Autonomy - where people can try out new behaviors without fear
of social consequences

7. Responsible use of social media

Setting Boundaries to your online self: Smart Sharing

a. Guide Questions to consider before posting:

Is this post/story necessary?
Is there a real benefit to this post – is it funny, warmhearted,
teachable – or am I just making noise online without purpose?
 Have we (as a family or parent/child) resolved this issue? An issue
still being worked out in the home, or one that is either vulnerable
or highly emotional, should not be made public.
Is it appropriate? Does it stay within the boundaries of our family
values?
Will this seem as funny in 5, 10, or 15 years? Or is this post better
suited for sharing with a small group of family members? Or
maybe not at all?

Are you a Good Web Citizen?

a. Guidelines for proper sharing of information and using the internet

Stick to safer sites
Guard your passwords
Limit what you share
Remember that anything you put online or post on a site remains
forever, even if you try to delete it.
Do not mean or embarrass other people online
Be choosy about your online friends
Be patient

8. Digital World issues and conflicts

a. Fear of missing out (FoMO)

Exists when an individual is anxious of being left out and feels the
constant need to know what the others are doing
It is an anxiety that emanates from the feeling that you are not up
to date because of the phase social media and news pass very
quickly

b. Screen Dependency Disorder

Emerging problem (not yet included in DSM-5 and/or ICD-10)
dependent, problematic behavior, including withdrawal
symptoms, increasing tolerance (for screen use),
failure to reduce or stop screen activities, lying about the extent
of use, loss of outside interests, and continuation of screen use
despite adverse consequences.

c. Internet gaming disorder

is a pattern of excessive and prolonged Internet gaming that
results in a cluster of cognitive and behavioral symptoms,
including progressive loss of control over gaming, tolerance, and
withdrawal symptoms, analogous to the symptoms of substance
use disorders.
Conditions for further study (DSM-5)
d. Spread of Misinformation
e. Cyberbullying and Social Media Toxicity
f. Cybersecurity and Invasion of Privacy
g. Pornography, Sexting, and Sexual Exploitation
  FINALS PERIOD 

Managing and Caring Self

Self-Care Practices for Every Area of Your Life

Self-care, as the name suggests, is all about caring for yourself to ensure
that both your physical and emotional needs are met. All the stress relief
activities in the world won't help if you aren't taking care of
yourself. Meditation won't do you any good if you aren't getting adequate sleep.
In fact, when you try to meditate, you might doze off because you aren't taking
care of your body's need for sleep.

Similarly, hitting the gym once in a while won't relieve much stress if you're
not regularly fueling your body with healthy, nutrient-dense food. You need to take
care of your basic needs first if you want your stress relief activities to be
effective.

This article discusses some of the different types of self-care and why they
are so important. It also covers some of the things that you can do to develop a
self-care plan of your own.

Taking Charge of One’s Health

It is important to care for ourselves because when we are healthy and happy, we
are better able to care for others. Additionally, self-care can help prevent burnout
and compassion fatigue.
Caring for our own health means making sure we are doing everything we can to
stay healthy and happy. This means eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly,
getting enough sleep, and avoiding unhealthy habits like smoking. It also means
seeing our doctor for
regular checkups and screenings, and taking care of our mental health.
The different types of self-care are spiritual, emotional, mental, physical, and
social. It is important we learn about these different aspects of self-care.

What Is Self-Care?
Self-care has been defined as "a multidimensional, multifaceted process of
purposeful engagement in strategies that promote healthy functioning and
enhance well-being."1 Essentially, self-care means a conscious act people take in
order to promote their own physical, mental, and emotional health.
 There are many forms that good self-care can take. It could be ensuring you
get enough sleep every night or stepping outside for a few minutes for some fresh
air. It can also mean taking the time to do the things that you enjoy doing.

Self-care is vital for building resilience toward those stressors in life that
you can't eliminate. When you've taken steps to care for your mind and body, you'll
be better equipped to live your best life.

Unfortunately, however, many people view self-care as a luxury, rather

than a priority. Consequently, they're left feeling overwhelmed, tired, and ill-
equipped to handle life's inevitable challenges.

It's important to assess how you're caring for yourself in several different
domains so you can ensure you're caring for your mind, body, and spirit.

Different Types of Self-Care

Self-care isn't just about finding ways to relax. It's about taking care of
yourself mentally, physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually. In order to
care for your health and well-being, it is important to find a balance that allows
you to address each of these areas. Sometimes you might need more self-care in
one specific area in order to restore balance or find relief from a stressor in your
life.

The seven pillars of self-care fall into the following areas: physical, social,
mental, spiritual, emotional, recreational, and environmental.

1. Physical Self-Care

You need to take care of your body if you want it to run efficiently. Keep in
mind that there's a strong connection between your body and your mind. When
you're caring for your body, you'll think and feel better too.

Physical self-care includes how you're fueling your body, how much sleep
you're getting, how much physical activity you are doing, and how well you're
caring for your physical needs. Attending healthcare appointments, taking
medication as prescribed, and managing your health are all part of good physical
self-care.

When it comes to physical self-care, ask yourself the following questions to

assess whether there might be some areas you need to improve:

• Are you getting adequate sleep?

• Is your diet fueling your body well?
• Are you taking charge of your health?
 • Are you getting enough exercise?

Physical Self-Care

Physical self-care is the act of taking care of one’s own body. This includes
brushing and flossing teeth, taking showers or baths, washing hands, and getting
regular exercise. Physical self-care includes activities that promote physical
health and well-being. Examples of physical self-care include eating nutritious
foods, exercising regularly, getting adequate sleep, and avoiding harmful
substances.

Here are some tips to promote better physical self-care:

• Get enough sleep: Most people need around eight hours of sleep per night.
Consider going to bed and waking up at the same time each day to help
regulate your body’s natural sleep rhythm.

• Eat healthy: Eating nutritious foods helps your body to function at its best.
Make sure to include plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in your
diet.

• Exercise: Exercise is not only good for your physical health, but also for
your mental health. A moderate amount of exercise is the key to maintaining
your health and well-being.

2. Social Self-Care

Socialization is key to self-care. But, often, it's hard to make time for friends
and it's easy to neglect your relationships when life gets busy.

Close connections are important to your well-being. The best way to

cultivate and maintain close relationships is to put time and energy into building
your relationships with others.

There isn't a certain number of hours you should devote to your friends or
work on your relationships. Everyone has slightly different social needs. The key
is to figure out what your social needs are and to build enough time in your
schedule to create an optimal social life.

To assess your social self-care, consider:

• Are you getting enough face-to-face time with your friends?

• What are you doing to nurture your relationships with friends and family?
 Social Self-Care

Social self-care is a term that refers to the various ways in which people
take care of themselves on a social level. This can include things like maintaining
healthy relationships, staying connected with friends and family, and engaging in
activities that promote positive social interactions. Social self-care is important
because it can help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. It can also help
improve relationships, communication, and social skills.

Here are some tips to promote better social self-care:

• Make time for yourself each day to do something that you enjoy, even if it is
just for a few minutes.

• Connect with others who make you feel good about yourself and who you
can be yourself around.

• Do something each day to make someone else feel good, whether it is a kind
word, a helping hand, or a listening ear.

3. Mental Self-Care

The way you think and the things that you're filling your mind with greatly
influence your psychological well-being.

Mental self-care includes doing things that keep your mind sharp, like
puzzles, or learning about a subject that fascinates you. You might find reading
books or watching movies that inspire you fuels your mind.

Mental self-care also involves doing things that help you stay mentally
healthy. Practicing self-compassion and acceptance, for example, helps you
maintain a healthier inner dialogue.

Here are a couple of questions to consider when you think about your
mental self-care:

• Are you making enough time for activities that mentally stimulate you?
• Are you doing proactive things to help you stay mentally healthy?

Mental Self-Care

Mental self-care is a term that refers to the various activities and practices
that we can do to take care of our mental health and wellbeing. This can include
things like exercise, relaxation techniques, journaling, and spending time in
nature. It’s important to find what works for you and to make sure that you are
consistent with your mental self-care routine in order to see the most benefits.

Here are some tips which can improve your mental state:

• Seek professional help if you are feeling overwhelmed or are experiencing

symptoms of mental illness.

• Make time for activities that make you happy and help you relax.

• Stay connected with friends and family or join a support group.

4. Spiritual Self-Care

Research shows that a lifestyle including religion or spirituality is generally

a healthier lifestyle.

Nurturing your spirit, however, doesn't have to involve religion. It can

involve anything that helps you develop a deeper sense of meaning,
understanding, or connection with the universe.

Whether you enjoy meditation, attending a religious service, or praying,

spiritual self-care is important.

As you consider your spiritual life, ask yourself:

• What questions do you ask yourself about your life and experience?
• Are you engaging in spiritual practices that you find fulfilling?

Spiritual Self-Care

Spiritual self-care is a term used to describe a variety of activities that can

help you nurture your relationship with your inner self. These activities can
include things like meditation, journaling, yoga, and spending time in nature. The
goal of spiritual self-care is to help you connect with your higher power, learn your
personal truths, and find inner peace.

• Make time for yourself – set aside some time each day to do something that
is just for you and that you enjoy. This can be something as simple as
reading a book, taking a bath, or going for a walk.

• Connect with nature – Spend time in nature and appreciate the beauty
around you. This can help you feel more connected to the world and can be
very grounding.
 • Be mindful – Pay attention to your thoughts and emotions and try to be
present in the moment. This can help you to become more aware of yourself
and your needs.

5. Emotional Self-Care

It's important to have healthy coping skills to deal with uncomfortable

emotions, like anger, anxiety, and sadness. Emotional self-care may include
activities that help you acknowledge and express your feelings regularly and
safely.

Whether you talk to a partner or close friend about how you feel, or you set
aside time for leisure activities that help you process your emotions, it's important
to incorporate emotional self-care into your life.

When assessing your emotional self-care strategies, consider these

questions:

• Do you have healthy ways to process your emotions?

• Do you incorporate activities into your life that help you feel recharged?

Emotional Self-Care

Emotional self-care is any activity that helps you cope with stress and
manage your emotions. It can include things like journaling, meditation, spending
time in nature, or spending time with friends and family.

These things can help with your emotional self-care:

• Make time for yourself every day to do something that makes you happy.
This can be something as simple as reading a book, taking a walk, or taking
a relaxing bath.

• Talk to someone who makes you feel good about yourself. This could be a
friend, family member, therapist, or anyone else who makes you feel
supported and loved.

• Take care of your physical health. This includes eating healthy foods,
exercising, and getting enough sleep. When your body is healthy, your mind
will be better able to cope with stress and anxiety.

Why Is Self-Care Important?

Having an effective self-care routine has been shown to have a number of

important health benefits. Some of these include:
 • Reducing anxiety and depression
• Reducing stress and improving resilience
• Improving happiness
• Increasing energy
• Reducing burnout
• Stronger interpersonal relationships

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), self-care is important

because it can help promote health, prevent disease, and help people better cope
with illness.

Specific forms of self-care have also been linked to different health and
wellness benefits, including a longer life. Exercise, finding a sense of purpose in
life, and sleep have all been connected to an increased lifespan.

Develop Your Self-Care Plan

An effective self-care plan should be tailored to your life and your needs. It
needs to be something created by you, for you. Customizing your own self-care
plan can act as a preventative measure to make sure that you don't get
overwhelmed, overstressed, and burned out.

Assess which areas of your life need some more attention and self-care.
And reassess your life often. As your situation changes, your self-care needs are
likely to shift too.

As you are building your self-care plan, the following steps can be helpful:

• Assess your needs: Make a list of the different parts of your life and major
activities that you engage in each day. Work, school, relationships, and
family are some you might list.

• Consider your stressors: Think about the aspects of these areas that
cause stress and consider some ways you might address that stress.

• Devise self-care strategies: Think about some activities that you can do
that will help you feel better in each of these areas of your life. Spending
time with friends or developing boundaries, for example, can be a way to
build healthy social connections.

• Plan for challenges: When you discover that you're neglecting a certain
aspect of your life, create a plan for change.

• Take small steps: You don't have to tackle everything all at once. Identify
one small step you can take to begin caring for yourself better.
 • Schedule time to focus on your needs: Even when you feel like you don't
have time to squeeze in one more thing, make self-care a priority. When
you're caring for all aspects of yourself, you'll find that you are able to
operate more effectively and efficiently.

Some Tips for Managing and Caring for Yourself

• Get regular exercise. Just 30 minutes of walking every day can help boost
your mood and improve your health.
• Eat healthy, regular meals and stay hydrated. A balanced diet and plenty of
water can improve your energy and focus throughout the day.
• Make sleep a priority.
• Try a relaxing activity.
• Set goals and priorities.

Some Self-care Tips to Try:

• Meditation: Meditation is a great way to reduce stress and anxiety. It can
help you relax, focus, and improve your overall well-being. You can try
different types of meditation such as mindfulness meditation, loving-
kindness meditation, or body scan meditation.

• Exercise: Exercise is a great way to boost your mood, reduce stress, and
improve your physical health. You can try different types of exercise such
as yoga, running, swimming, or dancing.

• Sleep: Getting enough sleep is important for your physical and mental
health. It can help you feel more energized, focused, and productive. You
can try to establish a regular sleep routine by going to bed and waking up
at the same time every day.

• Healthy eating: Eating a healthy diet is important for your physical and
mental health. It can help you maintain a

A Word to Remember
The demands of your daily life can dictate what type of self-care you might
need the most. A self-care plan for a busy college student who feels mentally
stimulated all the time and has a bustling social life might need to emphasize
physical self-care. A retired person, on the other hand, may need to incorporate
more social self-care into their schedule to make sure that their social needs are
being met.

Self-care isn't a one size fits all strategy. Your self-care plan will need to be
customized to your needs and what is currently going on in your life. You don't
want to wait until you've reached your breaking point. The goal is to take steps
each day to make sure that you are getting what you need to deal with the stress
and challenges you face in your daily life.