MANAGING STRESS

MANAGING STRESS - REST & LAUGHTER

Taking some quiet time can also help reduce stress. One can find a place at
home and at work where one can get away from everyone and take a few minutes for
oneself. One can practice any relaxation technique or simply spend the time thinking through
a problematic situation. One can use the time to do whatever will help one to relax.

Besides relieving muscular tension, improving breathing and pumping
endorphins into the bloodstream which are body’s natural painkillers, a good hearty laugh
can help:

• reduce stress,
• lower blood pressure,
• elevate mood,
• boost immune system ,
• improve brain functioning,
• protect the heart,
• connect well to others,
• foster instant relaxation, and
• make you feel good.

Enda Junkins (www.laughtertheryphy.com) offers the following tips for filling more
laughter in ones life:

1. Practice laughing 5 min/day. Fake it till you make it.
2. Look for humor around you - on signs, in people’s behavior, on TV, in the newspaper,
the things others say, the crazy things that happen to you.Keep a journal.
3. Share your embarrassing moments with other people.
4. Learn to play with things that are serious like work, social issues, money, etc. For
example, use word play, silly songs, or develop a comical view of the issue to help
you laugh and cope.
5. Laugh with other people when they laugh.
6. Wear a smile. It puts you closer to laughing.
7. Seek out entertainment which makes you laugh.
8. Amuse yourself with your own sense of humor.
9. Buy