For our Officers' Suggestions Scheme, encouraging feedback from readers has been received, and here are some you may find useful.

Suggestion 1: Chat with family members and friends, and let them understand your worries. You may obtain valuable advice and it can prevent you from throwing tantrums at them due to your stress.

Psychologist's remark: Research shows social support is helpful in coping with stress, and even illness recovery. When we are well-supported and know we are not alone in facing problems, our sense of helplessness and anxiety reduces. Relaxation comes more easily.

Suggestion 2: Go to the countryside, breathe some fresh air and let yourself meditate with a clear mind.

Psychologist's remark: If we can have a break from our stress factors, get close to nature, or do some other relaxing things, our body will rest and our mind will relax without distraction from previous preoccupations.

As our mind and body get refreshed, we can deal with problems more systematically and efficiently.

Suggestion 3: Imagine yourself lying down on green grass under the sun, and the breeze brings a flowery scent. Close your eyes and breathe in the fresh air under the big blue sky.

Psychologist's remark: Imagination is an effective relaxation method. It helps liberate ourselves from daily hassles.

As we try to concentrate on a tranquil, beautiful scene in our mind, disturbing thoughts are reduced.

While at the same time, our body will react by lowering breathing, heart beat and muscle tension. This is when relaxation comes.

Suggestion 4: An excellent way to unwind after a long day is to go to the Officers' Mess with a few colleagues and have a drink.

It gives me an opportunity to discuss work problems in an informal and relaxed setting.

Psychologist's remark: A cold beer may give some people relaxed feelings after a long day's work. Yet we have to be very careful not to allow drinking to become a habit.

The same relaxing effect can only be obtained with increased alcohol intake, thus resulting in problem drinking.

Sharing with colleagues who understand your work and sympathise with your feelings of achievement and frustration, is a very positive way of relieving stress.

We are glad to see the feedback is mostly positive and easy to master. If you have your own healthy ways of relaxation, don't hesitate to send them to the Psychological Services Group, 7/F Tai Sang Commercial Building, 24-34 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai or email to pcp-4-psg@police.gov. hk.

You will receive a nice memo clip as a souvenir, and your suggestions will be published in OffBeat.

Once again, we thank all those readers who have sent in their suggestions.