I bet you thought this article would be about ‘drugs.’

Even though saying no to drugs is crucial to a person’s well-being, it is very important that people learn to say no to everyday tasks that can create feelings of stress.

Many people struggle with saying no and find themselves experiencing physical and emotional discomfort.

I can recall when a friend of mine spoke up at work (concerning an unethical matter) and it almost cost her the job  she loves. She did the right thing at the time; yet, later she refrained from continuing her desire to speak further about  the ones who were in the wrong.

She still remembers holding back her thoughts and ‘biting her tongue.’ She often wonders if her words could have made a difference. Sometimes it is confusing as to when the right time might be to speak out or say no to a conversation or dilemma.

There are times when we must speak up to earn the respect we deserve from others. However, there is an  importance in how we choose to present ourselves. We must be careful as to whom we speak. When we choose our words in an impeccable manner, we may still not get the response we are looking for, but at least we can rest easy knowing that we did the right thing. Efficient workers should always attempt to “do the right thing.”

As parents, we often say no to our children. Do we eventually give in?

If our friends beg us to do things, do we push other obligations to the curb?

Often times, people take on more duties being that they need to stay busy. Maybe they get bored easily, or maybe they are afraid of wasting time by doing nothing.

Keeping busy is not a bad thing. Yet, if work or extracurricular activities are pulling you away from your family or important responsibilities, one must take a moment and reflect on what is truly important.

Parents should know when to say no to their children when danger is in sight; whether it relates to sicknesses, drugs, or dangerous encounters with friends.

Dr. Sonya Rogers is a certified counselor who lives in Daphne. 

Her column appears regularly in the Daphne Bulletin and Spanish Fort Sun.