HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR ESCAPES “EMOTIONAL RUT” THROUGH GARDENING
Agriculture|September - October 2020
THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC has affected more than just the health of people everywhere. It has also put economies on hold and threatened the livelihood of many in order to minimize the risk of infection.
PATRICIA BIANCA S. TACULAO
HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR ESCAPES “EMOTIONAL RUT” THROUGH GARDENING

All this has also left an impact on the people’s mental health, with various news articles declaring a rise in the number of people who experience stress, anxiety, and depression.

“The extended lockdown and prolonged confinement was already affecting me emotionally and psychologically,” said Jem Dumlao, a human resources director for a shared services company in Alabang.

She shared on social media that she had an active and busy lifestyle prior to the imposition of the community quarantine. Now staying at home, the confinement has left Dumlao feeling unmotivated and discouraged.

However, she decided to do something against it and find a way to cope with the current situation. She first ventured into woodworking as a distraction but she saw that this would be challenging to do since most of the stores at the time were closed due to the community quarantine.

“I [then] decided to focus on building my garden. I have been wanting to do it since last year but was just so busy to start,” Dumlao said.

For the HR director, gardening detaches her from her worries and stress, and it also helps her overcome her longing for the outdoors and nature.

“This newfound motivation became my driving force to get out of the emotional rut I was in and I have not stopped since then,” she said.

A VERTICAL GARDEN IN A PERSONAL SPACE

This story is from the September - October 2020 edition of Agriculture.

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This story is from the September - October 2020 edition of Agriculture.

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