Prayer Tops the List as Filipinos’ Main Stress Reliever, According to SWS Survey
STRESS RELIEVER – SWS survey said that prayer remains the most common way of Filipino people to cope with stress.
The Social Weather Stations (SWS) stated that for many Filipinos, turning to prayer remains the most common way to cope with stress. The survey shows that prayer and participation in spiritual activities help most Filipinos find peace during difficult times.
The nationwide survey, conducted from September 24 to 30, 2025, found that 16% of respondents said they deal with stress through prayer or by joining religious or spiritual gatherings.
“Grouping the responses, the survey found 16% of adult Filipinos giving answers related to Praying or engaging in spiritual activities, making it the most common way of coping with stress,” SWS said.
It shows how faith continues to play an important role in the daily lives of many people, especially when faced with challenges.
Following prayer, 14% of Filipinos said they prefer to rest or sleep to ease their stress. Meanwhile, 11% find comfort in traveling or engaging in leisure activities. Other ways to cope include positive thinking (7%), focusing on work or studies, ignoring problems (6%), bonding with family, and exercising (5%).
Some respondents also mentioned hobbies such as watching television or movies, playing games, eating, and listening to music (4%) as part of their relaxation routines. A smaller number said they use social media or drink alcohol (2%), while very few mentioned gardening and smoking (1%), crying (0.4%), or seeking medical help (0.2%).
The survey was conducted through face-to-face interviews with 1,500 adult respondents across the country.
The results emphasize how spirituality remains deeply rooted in Filipino culture. Despite the fast-paced and often stressful modern lifestyle, many still find comfort in prayer, viewing it as not only a spiritual act but also a powerful form of emotional release.
