Stress Relief 101

Does Stress Damage The Brain?

2011-12-07T13:00:00.000-08:00

ScienceDaily (Mar. 19, 2008) — Individuals who experience military combat obviously endure extreme stress, and this exposure leaves many diagnosed with the psychiatric condition of post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. PTSD is associated with several abnormalities in brain structure and function.
________________________________________
However, as researcher Roger Pitman explains, "Although it is tempting to conclude that these abnormalities were caused by the traumatic event, it is also possible that they were pre-existing risk factors that increased the risk of developing PTSD upon the traumatic event's occurrence." Drs. Kasai and Yamasue along with their colleagues sought to examine this association in a new study published in the March 15th issue of Biological Psychiatry.
The authors measured the gray matter density of the brains of combat-exposed Vietnam veterans, some with and some without PTSD, and their combat-unexposed identical twins using a technology called magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The detailed images provided by the MRI scans then allowed the investigators to compare specific brain regions of the siblings. They found that the gray matter density of the pregenual anterior cingulate cortex, an area of the brain involved in emotional functioning, was reduced in veterans with PTSD, but not in their twins who had not experienced combat.

According to Dr. Pitman, "this finding supports the conclusion that the psychological stress resulting from the traumatic stressor may damage this brain region, with deleterious emotional consequences."

John H. Krystal, M.D., Editor of Biological Psychiatry and affiliated with both Yale University School of Medicine and the VA Connecticut Healthcare System, discusses the need for this kind of research because of two separate sets of prior findings: "On the one hand, compelling data from animal research indicates that stress can cause brain atrophy and even neural death in some brain regions. On the other hand, the volume of several brain regions are highly heritable and small brain volumes, presumably related to reduced function, in the hippocampus may increase stress reactivity or impair the capacity for resilience." He adds that findings from this study "suggest that volume reductions in [the anterior cingulate cortex] associated with PTSD arise as a consequence of stress exposure rather than emerging as a heritable trait," leaving one to conclude that "the extent to which particular genes and environmental exposures interact to shape the development of the brain thus appears to be complex and region-specific."

The article is "Evidence for Acquired Pregenual Anterior Cingulate Gray Matter Loss from a Twin Study of Combat-Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder" by Kiyoto Kasai, Hidenori Yamasue, Mark W. Gilbertson, Martha E. Shenton, Scott L. Rauch and Roger K. Pitman. Drs. Kasai and Yamasue are affiliated with the Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo in Tokyo, Japan. Drs. Gilbertson, Shenton, Rauch and Pitman are with the Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Gilbertson is also from the Research Service, VA Medical Center, Manchester, New Hampshire. Dr. Shenton is also affiliated with the Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, and the Surgical Planning Laboratory, MRI Division, Department of Radiology, Brigham & Women's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Rauch is also with McLean Hospital in Belmont, Massachusetts. Dr. Pitman is also from the Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts. The article appears in Biological Psychiatry, Volume 63, Issue 6 (March 15, 2008), published by Elsevier.

Stress Reducing Foods

2011-06-30T22:48:00.000-07:00

Stress Reducing Foods
These foods will help lower your stress.
Oranges
Sweet Potatoes
Dried Apricots
Almonds, Pistachios, and Walnuts
Turkey
Spinach
Salmon
Avocados
Green Vegetables
More Stress-Busting Tips:
• Exercise regularly.
• Drink an energy shake for breakfast.
• Eat small meals throughout the day, which will keep your blood sugar stable (when blood sugar is low, mental, physical, and emotional energy decreases, and stress increases).
How To Drop A Belt Size Before The Reunion:
http://theguysmanual.msn.com/?Category=catID5&Id=v1&source=msneditorial>1=25050

Does Stress Damage The Brain?

2011-04-01T22:36:00.000-07:00

Science Daily — Individuals who experience military combat obviously endure extreme stress, and this exposure leaves many diagnosed with the psychiatric condition of post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. PTSD is associated with several abnormalities in brain structure and function.
________________________________________
However, as researcher Roger Pitman explains, "Although it is tempting to conclude that these abnormalities were caused by the traumatic event, it is also possible that they were pre-existing risk factors that increased the risk of developing PTSD upon the traumatic event's occurrence." Drs. Kasai and Yamasue along with their colleagues sought to examine this association in a new study published in the March 15th issue of Biological Psychiatry.
The authors measured the gray matter density of the brains of combat-exposed Vietnam veterans, some with and some without PTSD, and their combat-unexposed identical twins using a technology called magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The detailed images provided by the MRI scans then allowed the investigators to compare specific brain regions of the siblings. They found that the gray matter density of the pregenual anterior cingulate cortex, an area of the brain involved in emotional functioning, was reduced in veterans with PTSD, but not in their twins who had not experienced combat.
According to Dr. Pitman, "this finding supports the conclusion that the psychological stress resulting from the traumatic stressor may damage this brain region, with deleterious emotional consequences."
John H. Krystal, M.D., Editor of Biological Psychiatry and affiliated with both Yale University School of Medicine and the VA Connecticut Healthcare System, discusses the need for this kind of research because of two separate sets of prior findings: "On the one hand, compelling data from animal research indicates that stress can cause brain atrophy and even neural death in some brain regions. On the other hand, the volume of several brain regions are highly heritable and small brain volumes, presumably related to reduced function, in the hippocampus may increase stress reactivity or impair the capacity for resilience." He adds that findings from this study "suggest that volume reductions in [the anterior cingulate cortex] associated with PTSD arise as a consequence of stress exposure rather than emerging as a heritable trait," leaving one to conclude that "the extent to which particular genes and environmental exposures interact to shape the development of the brain thus appears to be complex and region-specific."
The article is "Evidence for Acquired Pregenual Anterior Cingulate Gray Matter Loss from a Twin Study of Combat-Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder" by Kiyoto Kasai, Hidenori Yamasue, Mark W. Gilbertson, Martha E. Shenton, Scott L. Rauch and Roger K. Pitman. Drs. Kasai and Yamasue are affiliated with the Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo in Tokyo, Japan. Drs. Gilbertson, Shenton, Rauch and Pitman are with the Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Gilbertson is also from the Research Service, VA Medical Center, Manchester, New Hampshire. Dr. Shenton is also affiliated with the Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, and the Surgical Planning Laboratory, MRI Division, Department of Radiology, Brigham & Women's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Rauch is also with McLean Hospital in Belmont, Massachusetts. Dr. Pitman is also from the Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts. The article appears in Biological Psychiatry, Volume 63, Issue 6 (March 15, 2008), published by Elsevier.

Laugh & Live

2011-01-04T09:32:00.000-08:00

I don't understand why people don't laugh more. As children we laugh as much as 400 times a day. As adults it drops to 15 times a day. It seems when we grow up we realize the government has control of our lives and we can't do anything about it. But that's a wrong realization. We have control of our own lives. If you don't like the government, change it with your vote. If you don't like where you're headed, you can change that too. Start right now and laugh more. What a great New Year's Resolution, to laugh more. You laughed as a child, now that you're grown, you've seen a lot, done a lot and you have some knee-slapping times to talk about. Think about the good times, and laugh. I lost a job recently and was feeling really down, until my son walked in and asked if the Flintstones wore underwear. That didn't bother me. What bothered me was, I had to think about it. I laughed for a good 10 minutes. It felt good. Laughter therapy does to the body what jogging does to the soul.

Seven Tips to Relieve Stress By Lyndsay Swinton

2010-12-17T19:38:00.000-08:00

1. Acknowledge stress is good
Make stress your friend! Based on the body’s natural “fight or flight” response, that burst of energy will enhance your performance at the right moment. I’ve yet to see a top sportsman totally relaxed before a big competition. Use stress wisely to push yourself that little bit harder when it counts most.

2. Avoid stress sneezers
Stressed people sneeze stress germs indiscriminately and before you know it, you are infected too!
Protect yourself by recognising stress in others and limiting your contact with them. Or if you’ve got the inclination, play stress doctor and teach them how to better manage themselves.

3. Learn from the best
When people around are losing their head, who keeps calm? What are they doing differently? What is their attitude? What language do they use? Are they trained and experienced?
Figure it out from afar or sit them down for a chat. Learn from the best stress managers and copy what they do.

4. Practice socially acceptable heavy breathing
You can trick your body into relaxing by using heavy breathing. Breathe in slowly for a count of 7 then breathe out for a count of 11. Repeat the 7-11 breathing until your heart rate slows down, your sweaty palms dry off and things start to feel more normal.

5. Give stressy thoughts the red light
It is possible to tangle yourself up in a stress knot all by yourself. “If this happens, then that might happen and then we’re all up the creek!” Most of these things never happen, so why waste all that energy worrying needlessly?
Give stress thought-trains the red light and stop them in their tracks. Okay so it might go wrong – how likely is that, and what can you do to prevent it?

6. Know your trigger points and hot spots
Presentations, interviews, meetings, giving difficult feedback, tight deadlines……. My heart rate is cranking up just writing these down!
Make your own list of stress trigger points or hot spots. Be specific. Is it only presentations to a certain audience that get you worked up? Does one project cause more stress than another? Did you drink too much coffee?
Knowing what causes you stress is powerful information, as you can take action to make it less stressful. Do you need to learn some new skills? Do you need extra resources? Do you need to switch to de-caf?

7. Burn the candle at one end
Lack of sleep, poor diet and no exercise wreaks havoc on our body and mind. Kind of obvious, but worth mentioning as it’s often ignored as a stress management technique. Listen to your mother and don’t burn the candle at both ends!

And those are the best stress management techniques I know! Learn them, use them and teach them, and be a great stress manager.

By Lyndsay Swinton
Owner, Management for the Rest of Us
www.mftrou.com

Personal Development

2010-11-12T09:44:00.000-08:00

You need to change in three areas of your life. Those three areas are – Physically, Spiritually and mentally.

First: physically. Start by standing up straight. Don’t slouch. When you slouch you look old, you look like life has beaten you down. You don’t have much attitude when you slouch. I noticed one day while walking past a mirror that I slouched, didn’t even know it. I looked like I had been beaten down. I didn’t look like anyone that people could take seriously. I didn’t look like anyone that people would want to listen to or believe in. I just looked like a poor, unsuccessful man. So I immediately held my shoulders back and stood taller. Suddenly, I was five-foot eight, not five-foot seven. That extra inch did wonders for my attitude. People began to notice a change in me. I was walking taller, I was more confident, I had a better attitude, just from holding my shoulders back instead on down. Try it, it’s amazing. Look like someone who has accomplished something because you have. You have accomplished a lot, look like it, walk like it; speak like it.

Next, turn those corners of your mouth upward – smile. A smile will go a long way, believe me. People like to be around those who smile. Do you want to hang around someone who frowns all the time? Of course you don’t. Smile, and mean it. Don’t smile because you think it’s good, smile because you know it’s good, because you want to, because you want people to like you and approach you. Smile because you’re having a good day, and believe me, any day you wake up above the ground is a good day. We don’t smile enough, have you noticed that? We need to smile more. Turn to the person next to you right now, smile and say, “Hello,” or as I say, “Howdy.”
Get a regular exercise plan, don’t diet. Diets don’t work. If you want to maintain a healthy weight and stay fit, just eat right and walk more. It’s that simple. It’s a life style it’s not a two or three month thing, it’s a life style. I work out at the senior center. It’s free, and they have everything the gym that I was paying $300 a year to be a member of has. I work out every day if I can. And I’m starting to watch what I eat and when I eat. I used to eat right up until bed time. That’s not good. That’s not how you lose weight. Beenie Weenies and a large Pepsi are not a healthy dinner. Watch what you eat. Something else I’ve started doing, when I go to the mall, I park my car at the end of the parking lot just so I can walk farther. I don’t understand these people who will spend $500 on an exercise machine, and then spend $1000 on a riding lawn mower. If you get out and push the mower you will get in shape. If you get hot, take a break, drink some water. Sit in the shade for a while. It won’t kill you. You’re walking, you’re burning calories; you’re losing weight. You will feel so much better about yourself when you lose that spare tire around your waist or those massive thighs that are preventing you from getting into those sexy jeans that you wish you could get into and I would love to see you in. Get a friend to exercise with you. It’s easier to stick to a plan if you have someone else doing it with you. Treat your body like your car. You want the best gas and oil for your car so it will run better. Well, you want to run better too, don’t you? Why would you take better care of your car than yourself? Treat yourself like your car and maybe you’ll outlive your car. In the neighborhood I live in we have our mail boxes at the entrance which is less than a quarter mile away. My neighbor gets in his car and drives to the mail box. If he would just walk that quarter mile every day he’d be in shape. He says he doesn’t have enough time to work out. “There just aren’t enough hours in the day to get everything done.” You have as many hours as everyone else – 24. I have never heard of anyone who has 25-hours in a day. How you manage those 24-hours is important. You need to learn time management. It’s not difficult, just keep a schedule and stick to it. Write down everything you need to do tomorrow today. And then do it. And give each thing a certain amount of time and stick to it. It’s simple. It’s not rocket science. The ones who are most important to the company are the ones who manage their time well. They are the ones who make $500 an hour, not $5.00 an hour. So get in shape. Take care of yourself.

Next, improve yourself spiritually. Now when I say spiritually I don’t mean you need to go to church every Sunday, and there’s nothing wrong with that. I’m raising my children in church. But what I mean is come to the realization that there is a power that is greater than you or me, and by the way, contrary to popular belief, his name is not OBAMA. But there is a greater force that controls our every move. You can call it what you want, God, Christ, Buddha, Jehovah, you can call it George, but you need to get in touch with it. You need to learn to meditate. It’s gets you closer to that higher power. And meditation is really easy. First, find a place where you can be free from noise of your children, or work or whatever else could prevent you from being peaceful. Sit in a comfortable position either on a cushion on the floor or in a chair. You don’t have to sit with your feet over your head or stand on one foot, that’s yoga. I don’t teach yoga. Sit in a comfortable chair if you like, just remember to sit up straight. You can close your eyes or leave them open, it’s up to you. And you may want to stretch before you meditate. Now, relax all your muscles. Relax your tongue which is usually stuck to the roof of your mouth. Relax every muscle in your body. Now comes the hard part – stop thinking. It’s a lot harder than it sounds. Your mind is constantly running, it’s hard to turn it off. Concentrate on your breathing. Breathe in for a count of seven and breathe out for a count of eleven. You want all the bad air out of your lungs before you let the new air in. So, in seven - out eleven. And if you start having a thought, make yourself aware that you’re having a thought and stop. Start concentrating on all the little aches and pains your body is having, begin listening to all the sounds around you. I live on a lake so I like to sit on the deck at sunset and meditate while the sun sets over the water. I listen to the birds, the crickets, the rippling water, it so peaceful, so relaxing, so good for my mind, my soul, my spirit. If you do this for just 30-minutes a day you will feel so much better. And all the time I hear people say, “But BC, I don’t have enough time to meditate. You don’t know what kind of day I have. There just aren’t enough hours in the day for meditation.” And I have to remind them again, they have just as many hours in a day as everyone else – 24. You really need to manage your time.

So there are the first two places to improve yourself; physically and spiritually. Next is mentally. You need to improve your mind. You don’t stop learning just because you’ve graduated high school or four years of college. That’s only the beginning. You have so much more to learn after that. Read lots of books, they’re free from the library. Listen to tapes and CDs and cassettes of people who can help you. Some people who’ve helped me by way of CDs and tapes: Jim Rohn, Andy Andrews, and Larry Winget. None of these names probably mean anything to you, but they are great speakers. Keep a journal and write down things that you read, hear and see. I keep a journal with me at all times. When I hear something that’s profound, I write it down. Like the other night, my girlfriend and I went with another couple to eat Chinese food. When we read our fortunate cookie, my girlfriend’s read, “You’re due for something great to happen.” My friends read, “When the moon is full you will find success.” I opened my fortune cookie and it read, “Never chase a hungry dog into a dead-end ally.” I don’t know what that means, but I wrote it down. It may come in handy some day.

Here’s something I wrote down that Jim Rohn said. He said, “Don’t worry about making your job better. Worry about making yourself better. If you make your job better you’ll get a paycheck but if you make yourself better you’ll get rich.” That’s profound. You may want to write that one down yourself. If you make your job better you’ll get a paycheck but if you make yourself better you’ll get rich.” That’s good advice. That’s the kind of advice that will change your life. I know it changed mine. Making yourself better instead of your job is how you go from $6.00 an hour to $600 an hour. Powerful words from a powerful man.

Follow these three principles and you will live a healthier, happier and longer life. -BC

Laughter & The Brain

2010-10-14T11:54:00.001-07:00

The doctors found that A.K. always laughed when they stimulated a small 2 cm by 2 cm area on her left superior frontal gyrus (part of the frontal lobe of the brain). This brain area is part of the supplementary motor area. Unlike laughter that happens after brain damage, the laughter that was produced by electrical stimulation in A.K. also had a sense of "merriment or mirth". Also, A.K. did NOT have the type of epilepsy with gelastic seizures. Each time her brain was stimulated, A.K. laughed and said that something was funny. The thing that she said caused her to laugh was different each time. A.K. laughed first, then made up a story that was funny to her. Most people first know what is funny, then they laugh.

The authors of the paper believe that the area of the brain that caused laughter in A.K. is part of a larger circuit involving several different brain areas. Different parts of the circuit may be important for:

1. the emotions produced by a funny situation (emotional part of humor)

2. the "getting it" part of a joke (cognitive, thinking part of humor)

3. moving the muscles of the face to smile (motor part of humor).

Everyone smiles and laughs. Even monkeys and apes have some facial expressions that are similar to human smiles. It is possible that smiling, laughing and tickling are used to create bonds between babies and parents. When a parent tickles a baby and the baby responds with a smile or laugh, the parent laughs and smiles too. In this way, the baby and parent get to know one another and the baby learns all about laughter by watching and responding to a parent. What a happy way to learn.

The physiological study of laughter has its own name: "gelotology." Research has shown that laughing is more than just a person's voice and movement. Laughter requires the coordination of many muscles throughout the body. Laughter also:

1. increases blood pressure

2. increases heart rate

3. changes breathing

4. reduces levels of certain neurochemicals (catecholamines, hormones).

5. provides a boost to the immune system.

Can laughter improve health? It may be a good way for people to relax because muscle tension is reduced after laughing. There are some cases when a good deep laugh may help people with respiratory problems by clearing mucus and aiding ventiliation. Perhaps laughing can also help cardiac patients by giving the heart a bit of a workout. Some hospitals even have their own "Humor Rooms," "Comedy Carts," and clown kids in attempts to speed a patient's recovery and boost morale.

However, laughter is NOT ALWAYS good medicine. There are a few cases when laughing actually CAUSED a heart attack or a stroke. Also, immediately after abdominal surgery, people should not laugh too hard because they could tear out their stitches accidentally. Care should also be used in patients with broken ribs. So, try not to be too funny around these people.

How laughter affects the nervous system and rest of the body is not completely understood. A new area of neuroscience called Psychoneuroimmunology" studies the interactions between the brain and the immune system. The field of psychoneuroimmunology combines the methods and techniques of psychology, neuroscience and immunology. Psychoneuroimmunological experiments usually focus on how stress affects the nervous system and disease states. Laughter has been shown to cause changes in the autonomic nervous system and also to alter stress hormone and neurotransmitter levels. For example, 60 min. of watching a video with the comedian "Gallagher" caused reductions in the levels of:

1. cortisol

2. growth hormone

3. catecholamines

Further research into how a positive attitude affects a person's health need to be done. This will give a whole new meaning to the phrase:

Off Shore Oil Drilling

Before you get excited about frilling off the coast of your state as we are in North Carolina, please take this into consideration. There is no law that states that the oil that’s drilled will be used for Americans only and it probably won’t. There is no guarantee that the state will get anything from the drilling except maybe an oil spill somewhere down the line. Oil companies and politicians are close friends, they have it all worked out and they worked it out to be in favor of the oil companies, not the country or the costal state where they’re going to build. Every politician in every costal state is saying the same thing, “I’m for drilling off my coast because it’s going to help my state.” That’s a lie. It’s not going to help anyone but the oil companies and the politicians and that’s it. The state and the country will probably never see a drop of oil or any tax money or any jobs created. All it will see is oil on their coast which will hurt wildlife and tourism and the oil companies won’t have to pay a dime. You will pay for the cleanup. Think about that before you vote for a politician who wants the oil companies to drill off their coast – like all the politicians in North Carolina want. They’re pulling the wool over our eyes while the oil companies are probably lining their pockets with green. Wake up America. If a politician says it’s a good idea, is it really a good idea for you and me, or is it a good idea for them and the oil companies? I can almost say with confidence that it’s not good for you and me or the country. I’m voting for the one who is for alternative fuel.

When Stress Comes Home

2010-07-29T22:58:00.001-07:00

Practically every day, disturbing news stories come out of Iraq, so many of them are about explosions, often roadside bombings. We hear about the major casualties, but there are many other terrifying events that don�t get reported here at home. Unless you are there, you really can�t imagine the sense of ever-present danger. At any moment, an explosion could kill or maim you, your friends, or the Iraqi people around you.

I enjoy my drive to and from work most days, but I can�t imagine what it would be like if I had to worry continuously whether every object in the vicinity is a hidden bomb. A new report from the Army surgeon general�s office states that 30 percent of soldiers returning from Iraq suffer symptoms of stress-related mental health problems for at least a few months. In an ABC News story about the difficulties faced by returning soldiers, a young woman talked about her intense anxiety while driving back in the U.S. Each time she drove her car, she would instinctively scan the roadside, constantly on the lookout for anything unusual. Although her behavior was irrational, something inside her was still anticipating an explosion at any moment.

The soldiers with stress-related problems experienced symptoms such as anxiety, depression, nightmares, anger, and an inability to concentrate. About 4 to 5 percent had symptoms severe enough to be described as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). �Shell shock� and �war neurosis� are old terms for what now is called PTSD. According to the psychiatric definition, PTSD occurs after someone has experienced or witnessed a traumatic event, such as combat or a disaster. The event is persistently re-experienced in dreams or intrusive thoughts or images. There is emotional numbing and avoidance of anything associated with the trauma. Finally, there is increased arousal that might include difficulty sleeping, irritability, difficulty concentrating, and an exaggerated startle response.

The good news is that the Army is planning routine screening of soldiers returning from combat zones with a mental health checkup. In a pilot program, all members of returning units will be interviewed to check for stress-related symptoms, and the Army will make sure mental health treatment is available for everyone who needs it. A primary goal of the program is to erase the stigma soldiers may feel about the mental health symptoms they may experience after returning from stressful deployments
Taken from http://www.regsourceplus.com

Myths About Depression

2010-07-11T16:13:00.000-07:00

Depression Myths
By Jordan Lite

Wondering how to tell the difference between depression and the blues? Worried that drugs taken to treat the condition will turn you into another person entirely?

There are many myths about depression, which will affect an estimated 32 to 35 million Americans at some point in their lives, according to a 2003 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Read on for eight common misconceptions and what's really true about this disabling condition.

Myth: Depression affects only women.
Fact: Depression can affect anyone.
Depression is nearly twice as common in women as in men, but men still get depressed -- especially as they get older -- and may feel a loss from career changes or the death of a spouse, says Dr. David Sommers, a scientific review officer at the National Institute of Mental Health.

"It is true that depression is more common in women than in men and that women are more likely to seek help than men, but men have trouble with their vulnerability and are more likely to use counterproductive coping strategies," such as alcohol, than to ask for help, Duckworth says.

Depression in guys can also look different than it does in women: Men are more likely to feel tired and irritable and lose interest in work or hobbies, while women tend to feel guilty, sad or worthless, according to the NIMH.

Myth: Depression is an adult problem.
Fact: Children can get depressed, too.
"Depression can happen across the lifespan," Duckworth says.

Some 8 percent of kids ages 12 to 17 suffer a depressive episode, according to the Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics. But depression can look different in children and teens than it does in adults.

"Teens and children are more likely to show people rather than tell them they're depressed," Duckworth says. "Most adults can identify that they feel down, sad, and not every kid is able to articulate that."

A depressed kid may frequent the school nurse, complaining of bellyaches and headaches, he says, while depressed teens may be irritable and angry.

Myth: Depression isn't a medical problem; you could get over it if you wanted to.
Fact: Depression is a medical problem that can require help to overcome.
"This is a treatable condition and not a right-wrong fault issue. But that is a common misconception," Duckworth says. "Being sad, grieving a loss -- these are not clinical syndromes, but when you have a collection of symptoms that continue for weeks and are associated with sleep problems, negative thoughts, thoughts of suicide -- that's different from being down in the dumps."

The key distinction is how long and how severly you feel this way and whether your ability to function at home and work are affected.

Myth: Depression is a normal part of being a teenager.
Fact: Adolescent moodiness is not the same thing as teen depression.
"I don't consider depression a natural outcome of being a teenager," Duckworth says. "However, being a teenager can be a risky business."

Be on the lookout for how long a teen's symptoms last and how severe they are. Irritability, anger, falling grades, trouble at school, time alone and drug and alcohol use can be signs of more than just the blues.

"Many teens have conflict with their parents and struggle with their identity, but normal adolescents don't talk about killing themselves or losing interest in their friends," Duckworth says.

Myth: Depression is all in your genes.
Fact: Depression runs in families, but genes are not determining factors.
Family history does influence the likelihood of developing depression. Children whose parents experienced depression are three times as likely to suffer depression, anxiety and addiction as those whose parents have never been depressed, according to a 2006 study in the American Journal of Psychiatry. And research on identical twins (who share the same DNA) raised in separate families has shown that if one develops depression, the other is likely to, which points to a significant hereditary role, Sommers says.

"I wouldn't be fatalistic, but if you have an increased risk, be mindful of that," Duckworth says.

If depression runs in your family, find out what treatment benefited your loved ones. It may help you, too, he says.

Myth: Antidepressants will change my personality.
Fact: Antidepressants won't change one's personality.
Modern antidepressants are used to increase the circulation of serotonin and norephinephrine in the brain. The drugs can make you feel better, but they don't alter the traits that make you you, Sommers says.

"There's some concern about emotional numbing -- that by diminishing the bad feelings, [the drugs will] diminish the good ones; there's no real good evidence of it," he says.

Adds Duckworth: "Medicines don't help with persistent negative thoughts, but they may help with sleep, appetite, energy -- the biological pieces to the puzzle."

Myth: Antidepressants help everyone.
Fact: At best, 60 percent of people get better with antidepressants.
Psychiatric meds might improve certain symptoms of depression, but they're not going to affect life circumstances or counterproductive thinking. The STAR*D trial, a large federally funded study, found that just 40 percent of people improve with the first antidepressant they try, a number that goes up to 60 percent once you count the people who try more than one. More recently, a January report in JAMA found that people with mild depression weren't helped any more with an antidepressant than they were with a placebo, so if your depression isn't severe, you may want to consider exercise and psychotherapy first.

"There's some evidence that the combination of medication and psychotherapy is better than either one alone," Sommers says. And, he adds, the effects of psychotherapy seem to be more durable than drugs.

Myth: Women with postpartum depression are bad mothers who kill their children.
Fact: Postpartum depression isn't a character flaw, and psychosis is rare.
An estimated 9 to 16 percent of American women suffer from postpartum depression, or depression following childbirth, according to NAMI. Signs include feelings of guilt, anxiety and fear that make it difficult to function. It's rare -- between one to four in every 1,000 births -- that a mom suffers postpartum psychosis, the condition Andrea Yates' lawyers argued caused her to drown her five children. In those cases, women may have delusions, confusion, rapid mood swings and thoughts of hurting themselves or their child, according to NAMI.

"It's a reversible condition," Duckworth says.

But how quickly a woman is treated and the effects on her baby depend on her support net. Babies of postpartum moms can be at extra risk of language and behavior problems, as well as experience difficulty bonding with their mothers, the association says.

Old People & Weed

2010-05-29T12:18:00.000-07:00

Weed Making Inroads Among Retirees
Tom Barlow, AOL

Although California has a huge population of residents carrying prescriptions for medical marijuana, the social stigma attached to the drug has led the elderly to be very hesitant about adopting it as a palliative for age-related problems such as loss of appetite, nausea and chronic pain.

Now a luxury retirement community in Orange County, Laguna Woods Village, whose residents have discovered pot's benefits, has made weed easier to obtain by establishing its own pot collective.

The community set up its collective because, although there are thousands of clinics in the state selling marijuana, none were convenient to the residents, some of whom have very limited mobility.

For the greatest generation, taught to believe that marijuana was as addictive and deadly as drugs such as heroin, the reality has come as a pleasant surprise to many. NPR reports on the epiphany of a 73-year-old Leisure World resident and synchronized swimmer who found it effective in countering her nausea.

The fact that the retirees are receiving recommendations to try pot for their ills from their peers leads me to believe that the use of it on the West Coast has reached a critical mass. We could well see demand for legalization, at least for medical reasons, swell among the retiree community across the country.

As a boomer, I expect that when our generation retires, many may choose to pull out the E-Z wides, fire up a blunt, order a pizza, and crank up Dark Side of the Moon once again, and not just for medical reasons.

A national columnist (name escapes me) recently wrote a tongue-in-cheek column in which he offered to voluntarily give up his driver's license on his 80th birthday in return for the right to all the drugs he wants.

Medical or recreational, is there a good reason why those who have worked a lifetime should be denied the opportunity to spend their golden years in a haze if they so choose?

Old people, what are you gonna do with them?

Can Stress Be Good for Your Career? By Liz Lynch

2010-04-29T16:13:00.000-07:00

In the new book The Right Fight: How Great Leaders Use Healthy Conflict to Drive Performance, Innovation, and Value, authors Saj-Nicole Joni and Damon Beyer state that contrary to popular belief, happy employees aren't necessarily the most driven or best employees, and that tension, channeled properly, can create breakthrough performance. Joni and Beyer cite a range of case studies from Campbell Soup, GE, Dove and Microsoft to demonstrate how a certain amount of struggle and stress energizes organizations and individuals.

Looking for a job, or even trying to keep one in this uncertain economy can also put a great deal of stress on individuals, but learning how to direct it in productive ways may actually improve your results.

Here are key principles from The Right Fight that you can apply to your own career advancement to help turn any stress and tension you're feeling into a winning outcome:

1. Focus on the future, not the past. One of the questions I get all the time from job seekers is how to answer the question "What do you do?" which always comes up in networking situations. I tell them not to get bogged down in the details of what happened but instead, be able to clearly articulate where they want to go from here. On the job as well, getting caught up in the blame game is just a waste of energy.

2. Pursue a noble purpose. Your most immediate career desire may be for a steady paycheck to pay your bills. While that goal is certainly important, it's not tremendously inspiring. I don't know anyone who jumps out of bed in the morning excited to pay bills, even when money isn't an issue. Challenging yourself to find a deeper purpose in your work will keep you motivated on a daily basis, and especially when the going gets tough.

3. Structure formally, but work informally. This is where relationships come in. Tapping into your contacts for ideas, feedback and information can help you solve problems more quickly, get answers and uncover new opportunities.

4. Turn pain into gain. Just as athletes improve their performance through intense training, investing time in your own personal development can make you a stronger player in the organization. Stretch your skills into new areas and acquire new knowledge to keep yourself relevant.

Funny Line & Bottom Line Intersect

2010-01-04T06:02:00.001-08:00

The funny line and the bottom line intersect!
In a survey of 737 CEO’s, over 98% of them indicated they would much rather hire somebody with a good sense of humor than somebody without one. You can take your job seriously… and yourself lightly.

2 Jest for the health of it! Laughter enhances respiration and circulation, oxygenates the blood, suppresses the stress-related hormones in the brain, and activates the immune system. Indeed, laughter is the jest medicine.

3 Humor as an antidote to stress: Humor can help us move from a “grim and bear it” mentality to a “grin and share it” orientation. By using humor, you can prevent a “hardening of the attitudes,” which can help you add years to your life and life to your years.

4 “A smile is the shortest distance between
two people,” according to Victor Borge. Humor can be a magnet to attract people, to build positive working relationships, and to improve morale and teamwork.

5 The HAHA-AHA connection: There definitely is a connection between humor and creativity. Humor can jump-start your creativity and give you the energy to think (and laugh) outside the box.

6 The laughing-learning link: Humor can be a powerful (and delightful) way to capture and maintain attention and free up tension… which means that retention increases.

7 Your Resilience Quotient: Norman Cousins’ best-selling book, Anatomy of an Illness, certainly opened up many people’s eyes to the notion that “S/He who laughs lasts.” With humor, you can build resilience and get more smileage out of your life and work.

8 Humor as a saving (and amusing) grace for
the planet: As our world gets proverbially smaller all the time, humor could help build important bridges between countries and cultures. As Erma Bombeck once said, “When humor goes, there goes civilization!”

Adapted from LAUGHING MATTERS magazine published by The HUMOR Project, Inc. Copyright © 2008 The HUMOR Project, Inc.

Laughter Is The Best Medicine

2009-11-03T21:39:00.000-08:00

The human animal is a highly complex organism that lives in an equally, if not more, complex environment filled with a infinite number of stresses and messes, most of which are created by man himself. In a serious attempt to understand the complexities of human behavior and mental processes, we have developed the serious science called psychology. It is obvious to me that life is much too serious to be taken soooo seriously. Therefore, I intend to take a serious look at laughter and how it fits into the scheme of adjustment, relationships, and mental health before I get seriously ill.

According to Webster's New World Dictionary to laugh is "to make the explosive sounds of the voice and the characteristic movements of the features and body, that express mirth, amusement, ridicule, etc." While this definition is suggestive of the average belly laugh, it also correctly suggests, by the use of "etc.", that people laugh for all kinds of reasons, employing a wide variety of types of humor from simple expressions of joy to sarcasm that thinly veils fear and hostility. My intention is to explore not only the various types of humor at our disposal, but also the ways we can use humor in our lives to adjust to adversity and promote our own mental, emotional, and physical health.

All of the research I have done to date on the subject of humor, laughter, frivolity, levity, etc., supports my own theory that laughter is good for you which, as authors John-Roger and Peter McWilliams point out in their most recent book, Life 101, may be unfortunate. "If laughter were only forbidden, then people would do it all the time. The rebel yell would be replaced by the rebel yuck. They'd have laugh police. If they caught you laughing, they'd write you a ticket. Stand-up comics would become stand-up convicts. Sitcoms would be sitcons. Children's programming would have to be watched very carefully. We wouldn't want anyone pushing humor on young, innocent minds. 'What are you kids doing in there?' 'We're drinking beer and smoking cigarettes.' 'That's OK, but no laughing.'"{2}

But, seriously, folks... While there is a lack of solid scientific research into humor therapy, there is considerable case-study and testimonial evidence to support prescribing humor as an adjunct to the more specific forms of therapy, such as diet, medication, and surgery in treating physical illness. Perhaps one of the most published and discussed cases of healing with laughter is that of Norman Cousins. In his book Anatomy of an Illness As Perceived by the Patient, Mr. Cousins describes how he took it upon himself to use humor therapy in conjunction with medical treatment to treat a rare collagen disease from which his doctors had given him little hope of recovery. He developed a systematic program of viewing "Candid Camera" and old Marx Brothers films and reading humorous books. The results he reported were, "that ten minutes of genuine belly laughter had an anesthetic effect and would give me at least two hours of pain-free sleep."{3} The only side-effect from this approach was that it sometimes disturbed the other patients.

Laughter as a means of pain control can be attributed to several things. It reduces muscle tension, distracts attention from the pain, has a positive effect on a person's attitude and can actually stimulate the release of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers. In addition, laughter stimulates the cardiovascular system thereby increasing oxygenation of the blood which further promotes healing.

"Norman Cousins calls laughter a form of internal jogging. In responding to the initial phase of a typical joke, comedy routine or story, muscle tension increases in anticipation of the climax of the story or punchline. Immediately following the story climax, the thorax (chest), abdomen and face get a vigorous workout. In convulsive laughter, where the individual really breaks up, even the legs and arms are involved. During this phase, heart rate, breathing and circulation are speeded up. When the spasm of laughter subsides, the pulse rate drops below normal and the skeletal muscles become deeply relaxed. During the laughter response, the body is revitalized by what sometimes is called internal massage."{4}

Beyond the physiological effects of laughter, a good sense of humor is essential for dealing with all the negative stress and anxiety-producing hassles and obstacles involved in living life on planet earth. The Martian character in Robert A. Heinlein's science fiction novel Stranger In A Strange Land, perhaps states this best in his efforts to understand human behavior. "I've found out why people laugh. They laugh because it hurts... because it's the only thing that'll make it stop hurting." He goes on to observe, "The goodness is in the laughing. I grok (Martian for comprehend) it is a bravery...and a sharing...against pain and sorrow and defeat."{5}

In the face the twentieth century accelerated pace of life, extreme job competition, a sharp rise in the crime rate, phenomenal societal use of drugs and alcohol, and a plethora of self–help books on supermarket shelves, it is difficult to devalue a good sense of humor (unlike the US dollar). Our society has become the living theater of the absurd. Our choices would appear to lie between total despair and laughter.

Humor is the sense of the absurd which is despair refusing to take itself seriously. — Arland Ussher —

In the treatment of moderate depression, as in the treatment of physical illness, humor can be a powerful tool. According to Dr. Laurence J. Peter, "The lack of humor and laughter in an individual who normally displays a sense of humor is an indicator of depression. Playfulness and depression are incompatible states of mind. Because playfulness is a prerequisite for humor, the amount of laughter and joking shown by an individual is a good day-by-day picture of his / her progress into or out of depression."{6} Dr. Peter goes on to point out that humor has the power to reduce tensions, as discussed earlier. It can also provide an outlet for otherwise unacceptable feelings, put an individual in a frame of mind conducive to constructive communication with others, often on sensitive matters. And humor can often lead to insight into causes of conflict and emotional disturbance, whatever that cause might be, such as job loss, death of a loved one, divorce or separation, etc.

It might be appropriate at this time to insert a note of caution regarding the use of humor, for there are times when humor can be inappropriate and counter-productive. Humans seem to have a great capacity for turning any tool into a weapon. The same holds true in the use of humor. When we laugh at new ideas we can retard progress, be it in trying to solve the problems of daily living or problems in business. While healthy humor can relive tension and restore perspective, there are sick forms of humor, such as "put-down" comments and insult jokes that can be painful to the point of devastation for the one who is the brunt of this so-called humor. In fact, what is often passed off as a joke or teasing is in reality thinly veiled hostility on the part of the "joker". Certainly a jocular put-down is better than a direct verbal attack or overt violence, but it has been my experience that any form of hurting others has a nasty boomerang effect. An eye-for-an-eye approach to life produces a lot of blind people. We would do well to be vigilant self-monitors of the times our wry cynicism becomes hurtful sarcasm. It is a very narrow path.
In the arena of business management humor has been found to be a powerful tool if it is not used to block new ideas, as mentioned earlier. Often a hot debate in a board meeting can be cooled by a well-timed anecdote, setting the atmosphere for win-win solutions to problems that affect the direction and success of an entire company.

Many companies are beginning to see the wisdom in fostering a certain amount of measured fun in the workplace to boost loyalty, enthusiasm, and productivity in the employees. These tactics can range from familiar activities like company picnics, Christmas parties, athletic events, and casual dress days to the more outlandish "costume" days. A company in Redmond, Washington, that makes heart monitors and defibrillators lightened up their dull workplace by having an employee dress up like a clown and pedal a tricycle towing a little red wagon that carried a siren and a banner announcing production of $500,000 worth of goods everytime they reached this mark in production. While this created a temporary disruption of work, sometimes as often as three times a day, overall production soared.{7}

It is apparent to me that arguments for the uses and value of humor could fill volumes. I would like to conclude with some of my own personal observations. If I had even a penny for the times I have been able to laugh in the face of conflict, adversity, and pain I would be extremely wealthy in monetary terms. As it is, no amount of money can match the treasure I possess in my ability to laugh. I might add that while laughter can ease physical and emotional pain, laughing is just plain fun and brings great joy to my life. I have often been accused of being a very silly person. To that I say, "Thank you! And thank God, or whoever gave me such a precious gift." I try to never leave home without it. The beauty of humor is that if it is lost or misplaced, it can be created in the time it takes to smile. So " don't worry—be happy ! "

Footnotes
1. Reader's Digest. — Blatantly stolen title.
2. John-Roger and Peter McWilliams. Life 101 p. 335.
3. Norman Cousins. Anatomy of an Illness As Perceived by the Patient p. 39.
4. Dr. Laurence J. Peter. The Laughter Prescription p. 7.
5. Robert A. Heinlein. Stranger In A Strange Land pp. 299 – 300.
6. Dr. Laurence J. Peter. The Laughter Prescription p. 71.
7. Charles A. Jaffe. Management By Fun, Nation's Business, Jan. 1990.
Rats Tickled with new Rodent Laughter Research
Winona Daily News — Monday, May 4, 1998
Associated Press

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio — Rats just want to have fun. The fact that rats can laugh, and do, is nothing new to scientists, but a researcher at Bowling Green State University found that the rodents most people consider filthy pests are also playful and love to be ticlded.

"About a year ago, I literally came into the lab one morning and said, 'Let's go tickle some rats,"' said Jaak Panksepp, a psychobiologist. "As soon as we did it, it was 'Eureka!' This vocalization came on right away, and more intense than before. And the data have literally been flowing ever since."

A graduate student came up with the idea of recording the giggling rats by using "bat detectors," sophisticated instruments that register high-pitched sounds humans cannot hear.

"Lo and behold ... it sounded like a playground," Panksepp said, adding that keeping rats laughing isn't difficult.

"It's quite easy. They're small, of course, but it's really no different than running your fingers as if you're tickling a child," he said. "You get the most laughter at the nape of the neck, where they direct each other's play behavior."

Rats register their gratitude with little nips.
It Wasn't Funny, but Test Had Patient Laughing
Star Tribune – Wednesday, March 18, 1998
Health Notebook by Gordon Slovut
New York Times

Life, it seems, imitates humor as well as art.

Back in the 1930s, humorist Robert Benchley, who poked fun at scientists and academics who took themselves too seriously, wrote a mock analysis, "Why We Laugh – Or Do We?"
In a footnote, he wrote "Schwanzleben, in his work 'Humor After Death,' hits on this point indirectly when he says, 'All laughter is a muscular rigidity spasmodically relieved by involuntary twitching. It can be induced by the application of electricity as well as by a socalled joke.' "

Little did Benchley know that someday the imaginary Schwanzleben would turn out to be very nearly right.

In a recent article in the journal Nature, Dr. Itzhak Fried and colleagues at the University of California, Los Angeles, wrote that stand-up comics, sitcom script writers and even amateur jokesmiths must now confront the fact that scientists can make people laugh – and even invent a plausible reason for laughing - merely by delivering a tiny electrical shock to the right spot of the brain.

While searching for the possible causes of a 16-year-old girl's epileptic seizures, the UCIA team found that an electrode touching a tiny patch of brain in the "supplementary motor area" of her left front lobe made her laugh.

There was nothing forced or artificial about it. Amazingly, the girl said she perceived genuine humor in her mundane surroundings. At one point she told the researchers, "You guys are just so funny standing around." Her reaction, they wrote, "suggests a close link between the motor, affective and cognitive components of laughter."

The UCLA team also discovered that "the duration and intensity of laughter increased with the level of stimulation current," they reported. "At low currents, only a smile was present, while at higher currents a robust contagious laughter was induced."

— Questions, comments? Call Star Tribune medical writer Gordon Slovut at 673–9083. Please leave your name and phone number.

Entrepreneur Discovers Humor Helps with Cancer
Star Tribune – Sunday, April 12,1998
Small Business by Dick Youngblood

There were a couple of portentous events that triggered Chris Clifford's extraordinary response to her bout with breast cancer three years ago.

One was the clinical depression that had gripped her mother, who died of cancer at age 42.
"When she was diagnosed, she withdrew to her bedroom and never came out again" in the three years before she died, said Clifford, 44. For her and her three siblings, "it was depressing beyond comprehension."

And it left Clifford, following her own cancer diagnosis in December 1994, determined to "celebrate life for as long as it lasts" with her husband, John, and sons, Tim and Brooks.
The other event occurred shortly before she was to begin cancer treatments, when several friends came up with the inspired notion of throwing her a "chemotherapy shower."
"For a while everyone was ill at ease, not knowing what to say or how to act," said Clifford, who at the time was recovering from what appears to have been a successful lumpectomy. Then someone offered her a cigarette, and her response not only broke the party ice, but inspired a thriving cottage industry.

"Gee, no thanks, I already have cancer," she said to an explosion of laughter.
That's when it hit Clifford, a workaholic senior executive of a large marketing firm, that "there has to be a market out there for products that offer humor and support" to cancer victims and their loved ones.

The Cancer Club

Although it took several months of planning to get things going, that party was the birth of The Cancer Club, a home-based Edina business that offers victims of cancer a variety of what Clifford calls "humorous and helpful products."

There's a video that tells women what to expect following surgery and outlines an exercise regimen that helps them regain normal use of their arms.

There are soft-cover books that tell the story of Clifford's illness in prose and in cartoons depicting humorous moments during her battle with cancer.

And there are audio tapes of the motivational speeches she's been giving around the country, plus a newsletter with 5,000 subscribers and a computer program that helps people find laughter in their own lives.

Throw in some gold "Attitude" pins sold in pop-up jewelry boxes designed to look like hats, include some T-shirts and coffee mugs bearing the "Cancer Club" name and its logo of a bald-headed woman, and you've got a business that generated revenues of more than $165,000 in 1997.

More surprising, that revenue level was reached despite the fact that Clifford continued working full time as a senior officer of Spar Marketing Services in Bloomington until July.

Compared with her career at Spar, a company that provides in-store support services to the packaged goods industry that might look like pretty small spuds. After all, just before her cancer was diagnosed, Clifford had signed Procter & Gamble to a $21 million contract.

Business of humor

But she figures The Cancer Club still has a ways to go: "I really think therapeutic humor can be a very big business, " Clifford said.

She might be right. Her first book, "Not Now ... I'm Having a No Hair Day," has sold 30,000 copies in bookstores and to hospitals and clinics since it was published in mid–1996.

The book, which chronicles her illness and recovery is decorated with 60 cartoons drawn by illustrator Jack Lindstrom, who produces the syndicated "Executive Suite" strip. All the drawings are based on actual events — including the cigarette yarn cited above — and they can leave you wondering whether to laugh or cry.

There's son Tim, then 11 years old, asking: "Mom, when can I stop worrying?"

And his brother, Brooks, then 8, greeting the delivery man at the door and shouting out, "Mom ... more flowers for your breast."

And the relative who explodes in indignation: "You're writing a humorous book about cancer? You're sick!"

There are some unexpected triumphs as well: Consider, for example, the traffic cop who stopped to give her a ticket and wound up giving her an escort after she explained, "Look, I've just finished chemotherapy and I was speeding home to get sick."

Late last year, Clifford published another cartoon book, this one for children, entitled "Our Family Has Cancer Too." That one has sold about 3,000 copies, mostly to support groups, hospitals and clinics.

Despite the comparatively brisk book sales, however, the largest part of the business so far has been the exercise videos. Some 20,000 have been sold to pharmaceuticals giant Schering-Plough Corp., to be distributed with a drug used treat breast-cancer patients.

But that could change. A favorable review of her audio tapes in the January issue of the Library Journal has generated 10 to 15 orders a day at prices ranging from $9.95 to $12.95.

And interest is growing in a new computer program, called SMILE, which allows a user to fill out a questionnaire designed to assess one's sense of humor, then offers a "laughter prescription" that includes recommendations, for books, movies and activities that might lighten the mood.
More important, having freed herself of full-time employment outside her business, Clifford already has booked 40 speaking engagements that promise to generate nearly $120,000 in 1998 revenues, compared with 20 engagements that brought in about $52,000 in all of 1997.

The upshot: The Cancer Club's revenues in the first quarter of '98 were up 27 percent from the fourth quarter, to more than $50,000. If she can maintain that growth rate — and she figures she can, given the jump in speaking engagements — then revenues this year would top $210,000.

Whatever the total, Clifford figures she's made enough to start giving something back: Since starting The Cancer Club, she's contributed about $20,000 to nonprofit, cancer-related causes. And this fall she's sponsoring the Christine Clifford Celebrity Golf Invitational at the Minikahda Country Club to benefit the Cancer Society.

Mental Attitude and Self Image
By Gus J. Prosch, Jr., M.D.

With a good positive mental attitude, you will ...
Look Better, Feel Better, and Heal Better.

Our libraries are full of all types of books that will help you develop a better positive mental attitude. God tells us, "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he," Proverbs 23:7. I have rephrased this proverb to make it a little easier to us to understand: "We become what we think about." Because of this, we need to try to force ourselves to think good positive, goal-oriented thoughts at all times. By doing this, because we truly become what we think about, we will soon find ourselves actually becoming whatever these thoughts are that we have been forcing ourselves to continually think about. You may want to get my tape recording entitled, Remove the Fat Between Your Ears, which will give some real detailed instructions on how you can get some real direction in your life. I have explained in this recording a simple technique that will force you to think positive about everything you do. I have seen this technique actually change people's lives around 100%, and it has done so for me on several occasions.

The truth is that every circumstance of your life can be looked upon from a positive or negative viewpoint — it's entirely up to you. Dr. Robert Schuller gave an excellent example of this in the following story. He said:

"One of my favorite stories is the classic story of the Chinese who had one horse and one son. One day his horse broke out of the corral and fled to the freedom of the hills. The neighbors came around that night and chattered. "Your horse got out? What bad luck!"
"Why?" the old Chinese said. "How do you know it's bad luck?" Sure enough, the next night the horse came back to his familiar corral for his usual feeding and watering, leading twelve wild stallions with him. The farmer's son saw the 13 horses in the corral, slipped out and locked the gate. Suddenly, he had 13 horses instead of none.

"The neighbors heard the good news and came chattering to the farmer. "Oh, you have 13 horses. What good luck!"

"The old Chinese answered, "How do you know that's good luck?" Some days later, his strong young son was trying to break one of the wild stallions, only to be thrown off and his leg broken. The neighbors came back that night and passed another hasty judgment. "Your son broke his leg? What bad luck". "And the wise farmer answered again, "How do you know it's bad luck?'
"Sure enough, a few days later, a 'Chinese War Lord' came through town and conscripted every able–bodied young man, taking them off to war, never to return again. But the young man was saved because of his broken leg. Only God knows what's good for us and what's bad for us."
Another important factor is for you to try to always feel good about yourself and have a positive self-image. Do you have basically positive feelings or basically negative feelings about the person you see in the mirror? Do you love yourself or hate yourself? King Solomon put it this way: "A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones" (Proverbs 17:22). Without a positive self-image, you will not properly digest and assimilate your food or the nutrients in your food. If this happens, the foods can become toxic within your intestine and a negative self-image, as well as other emotional and spiritual stresses interferes with our digestive system from functioning property. Some researchers are convinced that the colon (large intestine) is a manifester of the emotions. So much so that a wise doctor in Philadelphia some years ago remarked that "the colon is the mirror of the mind and when the mind gets tight, the colon gets tight." On the other hand, positive feelings toward yourself relaxes the intestines, stimulating the proper functioning which will give you the best possible digestion and nutrition.

It is also believed by most authorities that when you have relationships that are not good with other people, they usually result from a negative self-image. If we don't get along with ourselves, we tend not to get along with others. Other people tend to react to the negative image that we project. Negative relationships affect our bodies just like a negative self-image. For these reasons, we should all strive to develop a good positive mental attitude at all times and to keep a good self image concerning ourselves. I've seen so many people who live their lives according to what other people may think about them. Frankly, this is a rather stupid attitude, because when the real facts are known, most of the people you meet do not care that much about you or what you are or what you think unless it affects their own pocketbook. The important thing is to be genuinly yourself, and we all know what we really are inside because we cannot fool ourselves. So don't live your life according to what you think people may think about you, but live your life in truth and be genuine to yourself then, you will always maintain a good positive self-image about yourself.

Stress and Stress Management

Many human illnesses are directly related to stress, isolation, emotions, pressures from society and the negative effects of the social, political and industrial choices we are required to make each day. Stress therefore affects us physically, mentally, emotionally, and influences all our behaviors. Stress may be defined as a demand for adaptation. It has been shown, however, that we humans respond to demands not as they actually are, but as we perceive them to be. A stress may be real or imagined.

There are many types of stress we constantly face. These stress factors may be physical (exposure to the extremes of temperature, injuries, or accidents), chemical (exposure to pollutants, allergens, poisons, toxins, and drugs), microbiological (germs, bacteria, viruses, fungus, and other microorganisms), psychological or extreme emotional states (fear, anger, sadness, or a sense of loss), mental functioning (suppression or repression), as well as inborn drives to hurry, to succeed, to compete, as well as sociocultural (work pressures, crime, IRS, regulations, financial crisis and peer and parental pressure). Stress affects practically every organ in the body and if not controlled can certainly aggravate and complicate most any known disease or illness. The intention of this discussion is to summarize for you some suggestions on how you can better cope with stress and methods that have been proven to help relieve stress in your life. These methods help you reduce stress, relax better, and enjoy life more.

Stress is the response of your mind, emotions and body to whatever demands are being made on you. So the important thing is that it's not so much what happens to you that determines the effect on stress upon your body, but the way that you respond to it. The ideal response is a relaxed, carefree and positive thinking reaction. This in itself will prevent many problems when you are faced with stressful situations. And don't forget, there are two kinds of stress, positive and negative. Positive stress is happy, desirable, controllable, easy-going good stress like being informed that you've just had an increase in salary. Negative stress, however, is maddening, sad, disturbing, uncontrollable and depressing like having an argument or being in an accident or losing a loved one. This is the worst type of stress you can have, and if you can learn to face it in a relaxed, carefree, positive thinking manner, it will not cause nearly the harm to your system as to the average person.

 Develop a positive attitude about everything you do.

The Bible tells us, "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he." We become what we think about. If we constantly think about negative, bad problems and thoughts, we are simply going to create more of these bad situations to face from now on. The Public Library is full of books that will show you how to think positively.

 Tell yourself to relax totally.
By simply sitting down and taking some deep abdominal breaths and closing your eyes, try to relax all over. Sit in a comfortable chair and tell yourself that you are totally relaxing as you visualize in your mind - your feet relaxing, then your lower legs relaxing, then your upper legs, then your pelvis, then your stomach, then your chest and your hands, and your lower arms, your upper arms, your neck, and your head. Then, visualize yourself in your mind's eye as being totally relaxed. A few minutes of this will do wonders to relieve stress in your entire system.

 Practice breathing exercises to relax.
You should use abdominal breathing to relax totally. Sit in a very relaxed position in a comfortable chair with your hands on the arms of the chair and your feet on the floor. Breathe in slowly through your nose as you expand your abdomen and imagine that you have a balloon inside your abdomen, and, as you inhale, you are slowly inflating the balloon, which will cause your abdominal area to swell. Then, breathe out slowly through your nose. Pull your abdominal muscles in as you press all of the air out of your lungs. You should take several breaths in this manner, and it will help relax you. Another variation of this type of exercise is to use abdominal breathing as you inhale deeply through your nose. Then, exhale through your puckered mouth as if you were blowing out a candle. Repeat this several times.

 Cultivate a good sense of humor.
Laughing always relieves stress. If you know yourself, you know what things make you laugh. If you would try to do these things more often, this will help you relieve stress. Remind yourself to have fun. This may mean going to a comedy movie or picking up a book of funny jokes to read to get you laughing. You may even consider keeping a laugh scrapbook where you can keep a record of all letters, funny jokes, poems, limericks, or anything you have collected that made you laugh. Read through these in times of severe stress.

 Listening to relaxing music will dissolve your tension.
Listening to your favorite music is an excellent way to relieve stress. Instrumental music like that performed by the harp, piano, string ensembles, or the flute tend to be more soothing than vocal pieces which may distract you. While enjoying the relaxing music, you will notice that you are breathing more slowly and deeply which means you are relaxing more.

 Call a relative or friend.
When hit with any type of stressful situation, an excellent technique is to call a close friend or family member and discuss the situation with them, which can help you get a clearer picture as to how you may solve any existing problem. Do not keep it pent up inside of you as it will build and grow within.

 Exercise or take a brisk walk to lift your spirit.
Any type of exercise and especially brisk walking will result in very effective stress reduction. The faster you walk, or the harder you exercise, the more your stress will be relieved. This is because certain neurotransmitters are released during the exercise process for about 20 minutes. Try not to think about your problems while you are walking or exercising.

 Stretch or yawn for better relaxation
Yawning itself is a very effective way to relieve stress. If you yawn and try to stretch your muscles as far as you can, this will add effects to the stress relieving techniques. If you develop tension in your neck, shoulders and upper body, the simple shoulder shrug will help relax these muscles. Bring your shoulders up to your earlobes for three or four seconds, and then drop your shoulders down and think — shoulders up, shoulders down. Do this 3 or 4 times. Another simple exercise is "reaching for the sky." Try to push your arms upward and slightly backwards, and feel these muscles in your shoulders and upper back stretching. Hold this position for 10 to 15 seconds as you breathe normally. Stretching any muscles in your body will help you relax more.

 Take a nature break.
If there is any way you can get out in the country, or out in the woods to get away from your present problems, even for a short time, this can do wonders for your stressful situation. It may be that going to the river and just sitting and watching the clouds go by and admiring the scenery will be of benefit to you. Even watching a video or going to a movie involving the great outdoors can be very relaxing.

 Take a vacation or a weekender.
Getting away from your stressful environment is always relaxing. However, you should try not to feel guilty about not working when you "get away from it all". When you do this, you should relax mentally, physically, and emotionally and learn to let everything go. Tell yourself that it's okay not to work at times. The best form is a vacation that lasts for at least a week to get maximum benefits however.

 Get proper rest.
Sound sleep each night is a perfect antidote to stress. To do this, stick to a regular sleep schedule and try to begin relaxing about an hour before you go to bed. Don't eat a big meal before going to bed, and be sure that you sleep in a very comfortable environment. Also, taking a 15-minute nap in the afternoon if you can arrange it, will be very stress relieving.

 Prayer will break the anxiety cycle.
Praying can strengthen your religious beliefs and provide you with strength during times of loss or hardship, which may include the death of a loved one, an injury or illness, or financial problems. Praying can teach forgiveness, patience and understanding and relieve some of the negative emotions like anger, bitterness, and hostility. This is an excellent stress reliever.
Of course, there are other stress-relieving techniques such as getting a pet ( Excellent for Many ), but the important thing is to Do Something To Relieve the Existing Situation !
A time comes in your life when you finally get it ... when, in the midst of all your fears and insanity, you stop dead in your tracks and somewhere the voice inside your head cries out ...
ENOUGH!

Enough fighting and crying and blaming and struggling to hold on. Then, like a child quieting down after a tantrum, you blink back your tears and begin to look at the world through new eyes.

This is your awakening.

You realize it's time to stop hoping and waiting for something to change, or for happiness, safety and security to magically appear over the next horizon.

You realize that in the real world there aren't always fairy tale endings, and that any guarantee of "happily ever after" must begin with you ... and in the process a sense of serenity is born of acceptance. You approve of who or what you are ... and that's OK. They are entitled to their own views and opinions.

You learn the importance of loving and championing yourself ... and in the process a sense of newfound confidence is born of self-approval.

You stop complaining and blaming other people for the things they did to you – or didn't do for you – and you learn that the only thing you can really count on is the unexpected.

You learn that people don't always say what they mean or mean what they say and that not everyone will always be there for you and that everything isn't always about you. So, you learn to stand on your own and to take care of yourself ... and in the process a sense of safety and security is born of self-reliance.

You stop judging and pointing fingers and you begin to accept people as they are and to overlook their shortcomings and human frailties ... and in the process a sense of peace and contentment is born of forgiveness.

You learn to open up to new worlds and different points of view.

You Begin reassessing and redefining who you are and what you really stand for.

You learn the difference between wanting and needing and you begin to discard the doctrines and values you've outgrown, or should never have bought into to begin with.

You learn that there is power and glory in creating and contributing and you stop maneuvering through life merely as a "consumer" looking for your next fix.

You learn that principles such as honesty and integrity are not the outdated ideals of a bygone era, but the mortar that holds together the foundation upon which you must build a life.

You learn that you don't know everything, it's not your job to save the world and that you can't teach a pig to sing.

You learn that the only cross to bear is the one you choose to carry and that martyrs get burned at the stake.

Then you learn about love.

You learn to look at relationships as they really are and not as you would have them be.

You learn that alone does not mean lonely. You stop trying to control people, situations and outcomes.

You learn to distinguish between guilt and responsibility and the importance of setting boundaries and learning to say NO.

You also stop working so hard at putting your feelings aside, smoothing things over and ignoring your needs.

You learn that your body really is your temple. You begin to care for it and treat it with respect.

You begin to eat a balanced diet, drink more water, and take more time to exercise.

You learn that being tired fuels doubt, fear, and uncertainty and so you take more time to rest. And, just as food fuels the body, laughter fuels our soul. So you take more time to laugh and to play.

You learn that, for the most part, you get in life what you believe you deserve, and that much of life truly is a self-fulfilling prophecy.

You learn that anything worth achieving is worth working for and that wishing for something to happen is different than working toward making it happen. More importantly, you learn that in order to achieve success you need direction, discipline and perseverance.

You also learn that no one can do it all alone, and that it's OK to risk asking for help.

You learn the only thing you must truly fear is fear itself.

You learn to step right into and through your fears because you know that whatever happens you can handle it and to give in to fear is to give away the right to live life on your own terms.

You learn to fight for your life and not to squander it living under a cloud of impending doom.

You learn that life isn't always fair, you don't always get what you think you deserve and that sometimes bad things happen to unsuspecting, good people ... and you learn not to always take it personally.

You learn that nobody's punishing you and everything isn't always somebody's fault. It's just life happening.

You learn to admit when you are wrong and to build bridges instead of walls.

You learn that negative feelings such as anger, envy and resentment must be understood and redirected or they will suffocate the life out of you and poison the universe that surrounds you.

You learn to be thankful and to take comfort in many of the simple things we take for granted, things that millions of people upon the earth can only dream about: a full refrigerator, clean running water, a soft warm bed, a long hot shower.

Then, you begin to take responsibility for yourself by yourself and you make yourself a promise to never betray yourself and to never, ever settle for less than your heart's desire.
You make it a point to keep smiling, to keep trusting, and to stay open to every wonderful possibility.

You hang a wind chime outside your window so you can listen to the wind.
Finally, with courage in your heart, you take a stand, you take a deep breath, and you begin to design the life you want to live as best you can.

BREATHE in and BREATHE out LIGHT and LOVE daily.
ALL IS WELL.
Author unknown

A Place Where Everyone is in a Good Mood
No Need for Heart By-Pass Operations !
No Need for Balloon Angioplasty procedures !!!
No Need to Replace Heart Valves because of Plaque Deposits !!!
No Need to Amputate limbs because of Poor Circulation !
Kidney Stones can be removed in Doctors office in about 6 hours !
Arrhythmias corrected in less than 2 hours !
Lower Blood Pressure !
Dr. T.C. McDaniel — 91 years old, and Loving his work

A Radical Approach to Being Laid Off: When Just Surviving Just Isn't Good Enough! by Dr. Bill Crawford (I believe)

2009-08-31T04:59:00.000-07:00

Everyone knows that being laid off can negatively affect one's health and well-being. Feelings of rejection, being unfairly treated, and fear of the future can lead to stress, resentment, and anger, which can create health problems such as ulcers, headaches, insomnia, and of course, depression. What everyone doesn't know, however, is that these problems could be minimized if we just knew what was really going on "under the hood,” or what happens in our brain and our body that triggers these negative physical, mental and emotional reactions. In other words, to deal with the trauma of being laid off in a way that goes beyond “just surviving,” we need to understand that the negative emotions and health problems we experience are simply chemical changes in our body triggered by a very specific part of our brain.

Here is how all this works: After being laid off we are thrown into "survival mode" by the part of our brain responsible for survival, the brainstem. This lower 20 percent of our brain then triggers the release of "fight or flight" chemicals such as adrenaline, nor adrenaline, and cortisol, which produce emotions such as anger, frustration and resentment. The reason this does not help is that we are not in a “fight or flight” situation! Quite the contrary, what we really need to deal with the situation at hand (being laid off) is access to our best thinking, or the clarity, confidence and creativity that allows us to do more than just survive. What we really need is the ability to shift to the upper 80 percent of our brain (the Neocortex) and shift our focus from stopping the problem (worry, depression and resentment) to starting the solution and moving from surviving to thriving.

You see, after being laid off, most of us find ourselves asking brainstem questions such as, “How could they treat me this way? What did I do to deserve this? Who do they think they are laying me off after I have been a loyal employee for so many years? What am I going to do now?” etc. Basically, we are asking ourselves questions about the problem, which almost always revolve around “Who is to blame?” or “What’s wrong with them? Or what’s wrong with me?”

While understandable, these questions only serve to engage the lower 20 percent of our brain, which responds by increasing blood pressure, heart rate and muscle tension. Of course, this only has us feeling more stressed, frustrated, angry, etc. which again re-engages the brainstem and has us feeling “all stressed up and no where to go.” This is why so many people feel trapped, confused and paralyzed after being laid off. They are trying to solve the problem from the part of the brain that is incapable of the kind of clarity, confidence and creativity they need to deal with the situation successfully.

What’s the solution? First, we may need to “grieve the shattered dream,” or allow ourselves to feel the emotions of grief over the loss of what we had hoped would be a job where we would finally be recognized for the valuable people we are. After a “good cry” (which often, women are able to accomplish more successfully than men), we will want to shift from a focus on the pain of past to our ability to become more influential in our present and future.

We do this by asking ourselves Neocortex questions, or questions that engage the upper 80 percent of our brain where we have access to the clarity, confidence and creativity necessary to move forward. Interestingly enough, one of the most powerful examples of such a “Top of the Mind” question is:

If my grown child were in this position, what would I advise him or her to do?

For example we might encourage someone we loved to shift their focus from the past and “Who’s to blame?” to the present and future. We might encourage them to take stock, or become clear about their attributes, or the qualities and characteristics that make them valuable to potential employers. One way of doing this is to ask ourselves the Neocortex question: “If I was the person responsible for hiring, would I hire me?” If so, why? And then make a list of these attributes. You see, we know who we are and what we bring to our roles as professionals better than anyone. And thus, as we become clear about the qualities and characteristics we possess that would be of value to any organization, we begin to recognize our self-worth.

This clarity allows us then to look at the world of work from a very different, Top of the Mind perspective. Now we know that some organization will soon be very fortunate to discover that we are available, and therefore we can begin to evaluate potential employers in terms of whether we want to work for them, (a Neocortex perspective) rather than the fear that we are now, somehow “damaged goods” (a brainstem interpretation and certainly not one we would recommend to someone we loved).

It also makes it easier for us to contact our friends and let them know of our availability. Because rather than coming from the shame and/or resentment of being laid off (brainstem),we now know that when our friends recommend someone as qualified and valuable as ourselves to their friends and colleagues, it will reflect positively on everyone!

Plus, this clarity of our value and worth allows you to go into future interviews confident in the fact that this organization would be fortunate to have someone like you working for it. This confidence is contagious in that when prospective employers sense that you are confident in yourself, they can be more confident in making the decision to hire you. It also allows you to respond to questions and participate in the process of finding a new job from a more creative perspective because you are coming from the clear, confident and creative part of your mind.
Bottom line: when we want to do more than “just survive” after a lay off, we must access the part of our brain responsible for more than just survival. We must access the wise, supportive and intelligent “Top of the Mind” and treat ourselves like we would treat someone we loved.

Then, as we take this loving wisdom and apply it to our lives, we too move from surviving to thriving and are able to bring our best to life and our new position!

Meditation: Getting StartedHow to relax the Buddhist way

2009-08-01T08:30:00.000-07:00

A few basic exercises on focusing your attention.
By: Katherine Ellison

Buddhism offers a rich variety of meditation practices. The following basic exercise in focusing attention comes from B. Alan Wallace's The Attention Revolution.

Begin by sitting on a cushion with your legs crossed or, if that's uncomfortable, in a chair or even lying on your back, but always with your back straight and body relaxed. Your eyes may be

closed, half-closed or open.

Be at ease. Be still. Be vigilant.

Take three slow, gentle, deep breaths, breathing in and out through the nostrils. Let your awareness permeate your entire body as you breathe, noting any sensations that arise. Now settle your respiration in its natural flow. Observe the entire course of each in- and out-breath, noting whether it is long or short, deep or shallow, slow or fast. Don't impose any rhythm on your breathing. Let the body breathe as if you were fast asleep, but with your mind vigilant.

Thoughts are bound to arise involuntarily, and your attention may also be pulled away by noises and other stimuli from your environment. When you note that you have become distracted, instead of tightening up and forcing your attention back to the breath, simply let go of these thoughts and distractions. Don't get upset. Just be happy that you've noticed the distraction, and gently return to the breath.

Continue the practice initially for 24 minutes a day. If necessary, beginners can use the mental training wheels of counting each inhale, up to 21. Each time the mind wanders, return to one again.

Humor In The Workplace

2009-06-05T14:30:00.000-07:00

By Daniel Robin

Two executives walk into a bar. One says to the other "I've been thinking. If you took over as CEO, I could retire early." The other executive responds, "Sure, dear, but not until after we put the kids to bed."

(What? Oh, I get it ... that's like a joke, but not as funny. What matters is that now we've opened up the door for something funnier to come along. As the saying goes, "you can't fall off the floor.")
Humor's Risks and Rewards.

When humor can be used to bridge gaps, relieve tension, or add enjoyment to work relationships, everyone benefits. When it is used to mask true feelings — often the case with sarcasm — or, when cultural and style differences lead to misinterpretation, there's likely a cost.
Is humor part of your natural style? If so, let's check out how to manage the risks of having fun. If not, that's okay ... I hear they pay pretty well at the DMV (oops, there goes my license).
Being PC in a World That Isn't

Being politically correct in a world of political hypocracy and madness can be quite a trick. In the past, if someone or something was different from us, we'd tend to make fun — a natural (though perhaps immature) response. How do you currently deal with people or events you don't understand?

Nowadays, diversity and gender sensitivity training asks that we respect and value the differences. Still, because old attitudes often die slowly, expect a gap between this espoused theory and daily practice. Can humor fill this gap? It can if you're willing to risk and learn.
I Don't Get It ... Is that a Joke?

For starters, if someone seems humor impaired (oh, excuse me, that's "levity challenged"), assume it's you that needs to lighten up, not them. In effect, they're not lacking a sense of humor ... it's just that you haven't yet found a way to get past the guard dog to tickle that soft underbelly. Keep trying (or pick on someone else's underbelly), paying close attention to the responses you get. Remember: a blank stare or no response is a response.

If the other person is noticeably upset, walk softly (and carry a big schtick? No. Be careful.). Initially match their mood or energy level. If you can't tell where they're coming from, ask. Putting yourself at choice in your use of humor is key to minimizing the risks. If you offend, learn from it. Apologize. This type of open exchange can, ironically, encourage healthier and more honest interactions.

Taking the Heat Off

When someone has a big problem with something you did (or didn't do), humor offers an effective alternative to either brushing them off, being defensive, or caving in. For example, if you just kept someone waiting, what if you say "I was abducted by aliens." That's probably better than saying "You messed up, you trusted me," or "Boy, some people never learn...." When in doubt, make fun of yourself.

The important thing is to show that you have a sense of humor and are willing to use it. Yes, if you go overboard with humor you might get yourself labeled a goof or "loose cannon." (So what do they know?! You can always just blow up their office.) There are times, however, when kidding around can be a tremendous asset, a compassionate and effective diplomatic tool. At other times, instead of being "nice," it might be more helpful to just be "real."

Humor is a tool, not a weapon. You’ll know you’re on the right track when the times are fun and the flies laugh more than they hurt. Or something like that....

Does Comedy Heal

2009-03-01T17:11:00.000-08:00

Do Patch Adams, M.D.'s humorous healing techniques really work? The cable network Comedy Central and scientists at the University of California-Los Angeles hope to find out.

In February, Comedy Central donated a $75,000 research grant to UCLA's Jonsson Cancer Center to explore the use of humor in reducing pain and preventing and treating diseases--such as cancer, HIV and others that weaken the immune system--in children and adolescents. The project is being spearheaded by Sherry Dunay Hilber, an entertainment industry executive; Lonnie Zeltzer, M.D., director of the Pediatric Pain Program at UCLA's Mattel Children's Hospital; and Margaret Stuber, M.D., a psychiatry professor at the UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute.

The program, dubbed "Rx Laughter," has three parts. First, the researchers plan to determine what healthy children find funny by showing them classic cartoons, comedic TV shows and films. Next, they will measure the kids' heart rate, blood pressure, stress hormone levels and other biological markers as they watch funny clips to see whether laughter has a notable effect on the body. Finally, the scientists will monitor the same responses in ill children to see whether humor affects their immune function. If laughter does provoke a positive response, the researchers hope to use the comedic clips from the study in treatment, especially during painful procedures like blood draws or chemotherapy, to alleviate kids' stress and fear--thus promoting faster healing.

"Rx Laughter" is the latest project to come from "Comedy Rx," the program Comedy central created in 1998 to generate awareness of the healing effects of humor. Says Comedy Central CEO Larry Divney: "We know our programming is entertaining, but to think that comedy is literally good for you is exciting."

--Camille Chatterjee

BODY LANGUAGE
The Nose Knows
Pinocchio's not the only one whose nose grows when telling a falsehood.

The fictional puppet's malady is a bona fide biological response to lying, says Alan Hirsch, M.D., a researcher at the Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago. When people fib, says Hirsch, they often feel guilty about it. This results in a small increase in blood pressure, which boosts blood flow to the erectile tissues in the nose, causing them to stretch and release histamines. This ultimately leads to a slight nasal swelling--and the same nasal itch--that people experience when they have allergies.

So be wary of people's body language during conversation: Unless it's hay fever season, someone scratching their nose may just be pulling your leg.
--Linda Formichelli

Psychology Today, May/Jun 2000Article ID: 238

Laughter Is Healthy

2009-01-23T21:49:00.000-08:00

University of Maryland reported that in a study of 20 healthy people, provoking laughter did as much good for their arteries as aerobic activity. He doesn't recommend that you laugh and not exercise. But he does advise that you try to laugh on a regular basis. The endothelium, he explains, regulates blood flow and adjusts the propensity of blood to coagulate and clot. In addition, it secretes assorted chemicals in response to wounds, infection or irritation. It also plays an important role in the development of cardiovascular disease.

"The endothelium is the first line in the development of atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries," said Dr. Miller. "So given the results of our study, it is conceivable that laughing may be important to maintain a healthy endothelium. And reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease."
At the very least, he adds, "laughter offsets the impact of mental stress, which is harmful to the endothelium."

The researcher can't say for sure exactly how laughter delivers its heart benefit. It could come from the vigorous movement of the diaphragm muscles as you chuckle or guffaw. Alternatively, or additionally, laughter might trigger the release in the brain of such hormones as endorphins that have an effect on arteries.

Laughter Really Is The Best Medicine

2008-12-25T16:19:00.000-08:00

Laughter reduces pain, increases job performance, connects people emotionally, and improves the flow of oxygen to the heart and brain.

Laughter, it's said, is the best medicine. And there's lots of evidence that laughter does lots of good things for us.

It reduces pain and allows us to tolerate discomfort.

It reduces blood sugar levels, increasing glucose tolerance in diabetics and nondiabetics alike.

It improves your job performance, especially if your work depends on creativity and solving complex problems. Its role in intimate relationships is vastly underestimated and it really is the glue of good marriages. It synchronizes the brains of speaker and listener so that they are emotionally attuned.

Laughter establishes -- or restores -- a positive emotional climate and a sense of connection between two people, In fact, some researchers believe that the major function of laughter is to bring people together. And all the health benefits of laughter may simply result from the social support that laughter stimulates.

Now comes hard new evidence that laughter helps your blood vessels function better. It acts on the inner lining of blood vessels, called the endothelium, causing vessels to relax and expand, increasing blood flow. In other words, it's good for your heart and brain, two organs that require the steady flow of oxygen carried in the blood.

At this year's meeting of the American College of Cardiology, Michael Miller, M.D., of the University of Maryland reported that in a study of 20 healthy people, provoking laughter did as much good for their arteries as aerobic activity. He doesn't recommend that you laugh and not exercise. But he does advise that you try to laugh on a regular basis. The endothelium, he explains, regulates blood flow and adjusts the propensity of blood to coagulate and clot. In addition, it secretes assorted chemicals in response to wounds, infection or irritation. It also plays an important role in the development of cardiovascular disease.

It's also possible that laughter boosts levels of nitric oxide in artery walls. Nitric oxide is known

to play a role in the dilation of the endothelium. "Perhaps mental stress leads to a breakdown in nitric oxide or inhibits a stimulus to produce nitric oxide that results in vasoconstriction."

Dr. Miller offers a simple prescription that won't bankrupt you and could save your life. "Thirty minutes of exercise three times a week, and 15 minutes of laughter on a daily basis is probably good for the vascular system," he says.

Psyched for Success, April 5, 2005Last Reviewed 21 Jun 2005Article ID: 3726

How To Handle Holiday Stress

2008-12-05T04:34:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the holiday season -- that whirlwind of gift-giving holidays, marketing blitzes, holiday parties and activities galore that begins right after Halloween, builds to Thanksgiving, and continues, gaining momentum, through the end of the year.

While this season is meant to bring feelings of love and cheer, it’s also the harbinger of holiday stress for many. In fact, according to a poll conducted on this site, more than 80% of us find the holiday season to be ‘somewhat’ or ‘very’ stressful -- that ranks navigating the holidays right up there with asking for a raise! What is it that has us all so hot and bothered?

What Causes Holiday Stress?
· Doing Too MuchAll things in moderation, as the saying goes. The problem with the holiday season is that we often experience too much of a good thing. While stress itself is necessary for our survival and zest for life (researchers call this positive type of stress "eustress"), too much stress has a negative impact on our health, both mental and physical. Too many activities, even if they are fun activities, can culminate in too much holiday stress and leave us feeling frazzled, rather than fulfilled.

· Eating, Drinking and Spending Too MuchAn overabundance of parties and gift-giving occasions lead many people to eat, drink, and be merry -- often to excess. The temptation to overindulge in spending, rich desserts or alcohol can cause many people the lasting stress of dealing with consequences (debt, weight gain, memories of embarrassing behavior) that can linger long after the season is over.

· Too Much TogethernessThe holidays are a time when extended families tend to gather. While this can be a wonderful thing, even the most close-knit families can overdose on togetherness, making it hard for family members to maintain a healthy balance between bonding and alone time. Many families also have ‘roles’ that each member falls into that have more to do with who individuals used to be rather than who they are today, which can sometimes bring more dread than love to these gatherings.

· Not Enough TogethernessFor those who don’t have these family issues, loneliness can be just as much of a problem. As the world seems to be gathering with family, those who rely more on friends for support can feel deserted and alone.

· Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)An often unrecognized problem that comes with the holiday season is actually a by-product of the seasons changing from fall to winter. As daylight diminishes and the weather causes many of us to spend more time indoors, many people are affected to some degree by a type of depression known as seasonal affective disorder. It’s a subtle, but very real condition that can cast a pall over the whole season and be a source of stress and unhappiness during a time that people expect to feel just the opposite.
Minimizing The Holiday Stress

The great thing about holiday stress is that it’s predictable. Unlike many other types of negative stress we encounter in life, we know when holiday stress will begin and end, and we can make plans to reduce the amount of stress we experience and the negative impact it has on us.

Here are some tips you can try to help reduce holiday stress before it begins so that it remains at a positive level, rather than an overwhelming one:

· Set Your PrioritiesBefore you get overwhelmed by too many activities, it’s important to decide what traditions offer the most positive impact and eliminate superfluous activities. For example, if you usually become overwhelmed by a flurry of baking, caroling, shopping, sending cards, visiting relatives and other activities that leave you exhausted by January, you may want to examine your priorities, pick a few favorite activities and really enjoy them, while skipping the rest.

· Cut CornersIf you can’t fathom the idea of skipping out on sending cards, baking, seeing people, and doing all of the stuff that usually runs you ragged, you may do better including all of these activities in your schedule, but on a smaller scale.

Send cards, for example, but only to those with whom you maintain regular communication. Or, don’t include a personal note or letter in each one. Find a way to simplify. The same goes for the baking -- will anyone be enraged if you buy baked goods from the bakery instead? If you find ways to cut corners or tone down the activities that are important to you and your family, you may enjoy them much more.

· Change Your Expectations For Togetherness With family and friends, it’s important to be aware of your limitations. Think back to previous years and try to pinpoint how much togetherness you and your family can take before feeling negative stress. Can you limit the number of parties you attend or throw, or the time you spend at each? Can you limit your time with family to a smaller timeframe that will still feel special and joyous, without draining you?
Also, when dealing with difficult relatives, it’s okay to set limits on what you are and are not willing to do, including forgoing your visits or limiting them to every other year.
For those who experience loneliness during the holidays, consider inviting a group of friends to your home. If virtually everyone you know is with family during the holidays, you might consider volunteering to help those less fortunate than yourself. Many people report these experiences to be extremely fulfilling, and your focus will be on what you have rather than what you lack.

· Set A SchedulePutting your plans on paper can show you, in black and white, how realistic they are. If you find a time management planner and fill in the hours with your scheduled activities, being realistic and including driving time and down time, you will be able to see if you’re trying to pack in too much. Start with your highest priorities, so you will be able to eliminate the less important activities. Be sure to schedule in some time to take a walk in nature each day if at all possible, as exercise and exposure to daylight can drastically reduce or even eliminate the symptoms of SAD. (If climate or other factors prohibit this, try to find some time to sit by a window and look out; several minutes of exposure to natural light, even if through a window pane, can help.)

· Breathe!This sounds like a no-brainer, but sometimes we forget to take deep breaths and really give our bodies the oxygen we need. It's great if you can take ten minutes by yourself to do a breathing meditation, but merely stopping to take a few deep, cleansing breaths can reduce your level of negative stress in a matter of minutes, too. If you visualize that you are breathing in serenity and breathing out stress, you will find the positive effects of this exercise to be even more pronounced.

With a little planning and a few minor but significant changes, this holiday season can bring the love and joy it was meant to bring, and leave you feeling fulfilled rather than drained.
Source: American Psychiatric Association, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 4th ed. Washington, D.C.: American Psychiatric Association, 1994.

Males Suicides Are On The Rise In These Troubled Times

2008-12-04T10:48:00.000-08:00

John Kevin Hines had been pacing on the Golden Gate Bridge for 40 minutes in anguish, crying. If one person asks me what's wrong, I won't go through with this, he thought, over and over.

Eventually, a woman wearing giant sunglasses approached him. "Would you take my picture?" she asked. The 19-year-old accepted the camera from her and clicked it five times. Then he snapped. The moment Hines released his hold on the 4-foot-high railing, he regained his grip on reality.

During the 4 seconds between jump and splashdown, he could think clearly. All the problems that had made him want to die moments earlier? Those seemed less overwhelming than a 220-foot plunge into San Francisco Bay. Oh, my God, I don't want to die, he thought. What have I done? God, please, save me. It's a prayer seldom answered. Since the bridge opened in 1937, someone has jumped from it every 2 weeks on average. Out of roughly 2,000 attempts, only 28 "failed."

The psychologist Edwin S. Shneidman, Ph.D., a pioneer in suicide research, once said that it's a bad idea to kill yourself when you're feeling suicidal. That's no joke: You're not solving problems well. You're unable to step outside your troubled mind. And those things make you a very, very dangerous man. Realization of the risk comes too late for many, from bottom-rung stragglers to men whose lives and achievements seem worthy of celebration, not self-termination.

Their final act perplexes family and friends. It saddens them, sickens them, and even angers them. And in the end, it worries the rest of us, too. Because any of us could be walking that bridge one day. The numbers are so gut-churning, it's like looking over a bridge railing. Nearly 26,000 men took their own lives in 2005. That's nearly four times the number of women who did the same thing, even though three times more women than men attempt suicide. (For every completed suicide by a man or woman, 25 attempts fail.)

Whereas a woman might swallow pills halfheartedly, a man is four times more likely to complete the act, mostly because men tend to use guns — and their aim is true. As grim as that sounds, it gets worse. Mark S. Kaplan, Dr.P.H. who researches suicide at Oregon's Portland State University, believes the suicide death toll may be up to 25 percent higher than officially recorded. Many single-car accidents seem mysterious. When an overdose occurs and toxicology results are ambiguous, as in the case of Heath Ledger, was it a tragic accident or an exit strategy? Some medical examiners will certify a death as suicide only if the victim leaves a note, and yet only about 20 percent of people who kill themselves do so. Sometimes insurance companies pay the survivors less or nothing at all, in cases of suicide. The denial of friends and family is a factor, too: It's less painful to think a loved one didn't die by his or her own hand.

This is what stress will do. It will make you commit suicide. Some people just can’t handle it.

They just can’t seem to get a grip on life and all its problems.

They don’t realize they have a sense of humor that can actually save them. That can make them realize that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. There is hope.

When you laugh it off, it’s so much easier to handle.

All this stress is brought on by the government. That’s right, the smartest minds in America have created this mess that our country is in, but you don’t hear of them committing suicide, do you? No of course not. And you shouldn’t either.

When the going gets tough, the tough start laughing.

Things will get better. They can’t get any worse. You aren’t the only one who is going through this. We all are. Even the rich are feeling the pinch.

Just laugh it off and don’t worry about it. All worrying does is create stress and drives you to do something stupid, like kill yourself.

Believe me, the world is a better place with you in it. Remember that.

Laughter Is The Best Medicine

2008-12-02T21:38:00.000-08:00

Laughter reduces pain, increases job performance, connects people emotionally, and improves the flow of oxygen to the heart and brain.

Laughter, it's said, is the best medicine. And there's lots of evidence that laughter does lots of good things for us.

It reduces pain and allows us to tolerate discomfort.

It reduces blood sugar levels, increasing glucose tolerance in diabetics and nondiabetics alike.

It's also possible that laughter boosts levels of nitric oxide in artery walls. Nitric oxide is known to play a role in the dilation of the endothelium. "Perhaps mental stress leads to a breakdown in nitric oxide or inhibits a stimulus to produce nitric oxide that results in vasoconstriction."

Psyched for Success, April 5, 2005Last Reviewed 21 Jun 2005Article ID: 3726

The Effect of Groucho Marx Glasses on Depression

2008-11-03T05:00:00.000-08:00

A confession: I was a network situation comedy writer who decided to get mymasters in psychology. I was making retribution for my sins.

It was a startling contrast going from studio lots where people worked at finding laughs to a profession where the mandatory operating equipment includes a box of Kleenex.

Since one of my key survival mechanisms in life is laughing, I asked my teachers if I could use humor with my clients. Their response: "Be very cautious." Only last year, the American Psychoanalytic Association held that humor was "inappropriate" to their mission, but lately, cracks in the wall have begun to appear. A recent article in the American Psychological Association Monitor described a "mirthful consultant" who helped psychologists brighten patients' lives using stuffed bears and scarf juggling. Other articles in magazines such as Humor and Health have shown that mirth can lower stress and help strengthen the immune system.

The diagnosis is that mirth is good for psychologists and their clients. Organizations have been formed, businesses incorporated and conventions held. I can hardly wait to see the scientific presentations: "The Effect of Groucho Marx Glasses on Depression" or "The Impact of Different-Size Whoopee Cushions in Clinical Settings." Can it be long before we are blessed with specialists called mirthologists?

Hopefully this new attitude will be reflected in graduate training programs. The only humor I recall was strictly unintentional. For example, one of my teachers was named Dr. Looney. She pronounced it loon-ay, but that just made it funnier. I envisioned her marrying a man named Tunes and becoming Dr. Loon-ay-Tunes.

Irony abounded. The man who ran the program wrote a textbook with touching humanistic tributes but barked at his students like a Marine Corps drill sergeant: "You're being insensitive! You keep acting like that and you're out of here!"

Sometimes I felt like I was in a situation comedy. As part of a class project, a test completed by my best friend in the program indicated she had lesbian tendencies. Should I tell her? What were the right words? "You're closed off at times and by the way--you might be gay." To my surprise, she said she'd never seriously considered it, but relationships with guys weren't going all that well. Last time we talked, she was living happily with another woman.

I understand that psychology has had to be somber to be taken seriously--getting people to pay to talk with you is not an easy sell. But it's time to stop acting like we're in a French movie where everybody is so serious you want to scream at the screen. I'm not suggesting that psychological training include classes in clowning and stand up comedy, but loosening up a little could help therapists and their clients. Therapy is a relationship, and enjoying a spontaneous humorous moment together can establish rapport and offer insights. Humor is idiosyncratic, a child of the moment we can all use more of in our lives. After all, how many clients have gone to a psychologist because they were laughing too much?

Adapted by Ph.D. Steven Pritzker, Ph.D., is PT's humor editor. He has written for The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Love Boat and Maude, and is co-editor of the new Encyclopedia of Creativity (Academic Press, 1999).

Therapy: The Laugh Track

2008-10-24T15:04:00.000-07:00

Every Monday evening about 10 people gather at Better Health Chiropractic in New York City to laugh. About absolutely nothing.

The group is one of approximately 2,500 "laughter clubs" that have sprouted around the globe since the mid-'90s, when Indian physician Madan Kataria founded the first club in a Bombay park. Each club follows the same curriculum: Members stand in a circle while a certified instructor leads the group in some 20 different laughs.

One prescribed chuckle is the "broken vase" laugh. The leader pretends to drop an imaginary vase on he floor and then lets out a distinctive snicker. The group then performs the exercise together.

The point, says Kataria, is to "laugh without reason," which he believes is good for one's health. In the clubs, humor plays little role in initiating the laughter, although participants report that watching another person giggle is in itself pretty funny.

Today, laughter clubs can be found at U.S. elementary schools, churches, hospitals and military bases, although no studies have been performed to test whether forced laughter is effective.
Robert Provine, a neuroscientist at the University of Maryland who has studied laughter for more than a decade, has found that laughter is produced 30 times more often in social situations than in isolation. All the more reason, he says, to try laughing with others rather than alone.

Although he believes laughter is beneficial to health, Provine says it's probably not as powerful as many hope it to be. "If laughter were a drug going in front of the FDA, it would be rejected," he says. However, Provine says laughter clubs may very well spur genuine giggles—and boost health. He says that's because "laughter is contagious."

Visit worldlaughtertour.com for more information.

Psychology Today Magazine, Jan/Feb 2005Last Reviewed 2 Jul 2008Article ID: 3677

Survey: Gender, geography factor into feeling, dealing with stress

2008-10-24T14:37:00.000-07:00

the following is a post By Sharon Jayson, USA TODAY

Almost half of U.S. households are worried about their family's basic needs, according to new data from the American Psychological Association, which shows that food, housing, health care and transportation are major sources of stress in the faltering economy.

The findings of a series of online surveys released today also show that stress overall has increased in a year's time.

"Before, it was like 'Big Brother will take care of me. My 401(k) with Lehman or my company will take care of me.' We could go out to dinner on a credit card. We could buy our groceries without thinking. We could fill the car up. We had choices," says Kathleen Hall, founder of The Stress Institute in Atlanta.

"What you're seeing this year — especially in the last three months — is the eroding of that security blanket."

It's all too familiar to Lizzette Anderson, 38, of Queens, N.Y. She and her husband and 12-year-old daughter had to move to a smaller two-bedroom apartment because they couldn't afford their larger one.

"We had been in the apartment 10 months, and then we spoke to the landlord and said we couldn't afford it anymore. He understood and let us out of the lease," says Anderson, an administrative assistant.

Her husband, Windel Anderson, works as a sales supervisor. They had been saving for a house the past three years, she says.

"We had almost $3,000, and we were just trying to put more money in to save it faster, but it turned out that it went backwards and we were taking money out," says Anderson.

The new survey also found that women appear to bear the brunt of the financial stress and report more physical symptoms and unhealthy behaviors. More women than men say they're stressed about the economy (84% vs. 75% of men); housing costs (66% vs. 58%); and health problems affecting their families (70% vs. 63%).

Also, 56% of women report headaches, compared with 36% of men; 53% of women report a lack of motivation or energy, vs. 45% of men.

To manage stress, 39% of women reported eating to cope, vs. 29% of men. Men were more likely to drink, with 22% of men drinking to deal with it, vs. 15% of women.

Colleen Bacckus, 43, of Dearborn Heights, Mich., says the economy has caused her to spend more cautiously, but her greater stress involves home and family. Bacckus' job as a project manager for a commercial interior design firm is key because her husband is a paraplegic who is unable to work; their children are grown.

"It's trying to strike that balance between working full-time and being the primary breadwinner and balancing the family time and the needs at home," she says.

Working in the garden, playing with their dogs and reading does help relieve stress, she says, but she has noticed changes as financial news has worsened.

"There will be sleepless nights, and I'll get a little snappish," Bacckus says. "I'm just like everybody else — you go for that comfort food if you get too stressed."

Social psychologist Viktor Gecas of Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind., says the current economic downturn is the most serious since the Great Depression, but he doesn't expect the lengthy and massive unemployment of that period.

"In the short-term, it does have consequences," which he says "do add to more individual stress, which also spills over into marital problems, parent-child problems and family stress in general."
Rev. T. Michael Rock, a 40-year-old United Church of Christ pastor in the Minneapolis suburb of Robbinsdale, says he's been flooded with congregants seeking his ear to discuss financial concerns, which he says they don't often talk about openly.

"If I had 10 people in the last year, I had 10 people the past week, either for them or their children or their parents," he says. "They're coming to say 'I can't hold all this information by myself. I have to share it with somebody.' "

Gecas, head of Purdue's sociology department, suggests the economic downturn may have some hidden positives by forcing people to take stock of their lives and re-evaluate their lifestyles.
"It's easy to fall into habits of behavior that may not necessarily be good for you or the environment," he says. "If you do manage to cope successfully with the adversity, you might come out stronger and more resourceful in the end. This is not to minimize the pain of an economic downturn and the negative things, but it's not necessarily all bad."

Optimisim And You Health

2008-09-11T04:31:00.000-07:00

Look for the silver lining…

Buddy DeSylva's upbeat lyrics to Jerome Kern's lovely tune provide an appealing call to a positive outlook on life, even in the face of adversity. Indeed, a cheerful disposition can help you get through the tough patches that cloud every life, but do people who see the glass half-full also enjoy better health than gloomy types who see it half-empty?

According to a series of studies from the U.S. and Europe, the answer is yes. Optimism helps people cope with disease and recover from surgery. Even more impressive is the impact of a positive outlook on overall health and longevity. Research tells us that an optimistic outlook early in life can predict better health and a lower rate of death during follow-up periods of 15 to 40 years.

Measuring optimism

To investigate optimism, scientists first needed to develop reliable ways to measure the trait. Two systems are in widespread use; one measures dispositional optimism, the other explanatory style.

Dispositional optimism depends on positive expectations for one's future. These are not confined to one or two aspects of life, but are generalized expectations for a good outcome in several areas. Many researchers use the 12-item Life Orientation Test to measure dispositional optimism.

Explanatory style is based on how a person explains good or bad news. The pessimist assumes blame for bad news ("It's me"), assumes the situation is stable ("It will last forever"), and has a global impact ("It will affect everything I do"). The optimist, on the other hand, does not assume blame for negative events. Instead, he tends to give himself credit for good news, assume good things will last, and be confident that positive developments will spill over into many areas of his life. Researchers often use either the Attributional Style Questionnaire or the Content Analysis of Verbatim Explanations method to evaluate optimism based on explanatory style.

bc is a stress relief expert and humor therapist. His website is www.worldwidebc.com

Stress Is Everywhere - Everywhere

2008-08-24T14:36:00.001-07:00

I'm going to start off this posting with bad news, good news and more bad news. The first bad news is, there's stress everywhere you turn. You can't avoid it. You don't have to accept it, but you can't avoid it.

And most of it caused by a place just north of here (NC) called Washington, DC. Have you noticed that? High gas prices, the dollar shrinking, illegal aliens taking over the country, fighting a war that we should not be in, politicians taking money from Lobbyists and voting their way and not ours, it all causes stress in our lives.

But we have to take the blame for it because we are the ones who elected the politicians who are in Washington creating all this stress. Their lives are stress free. They live in a different world than we do. And we're paying for that world and that creates more stress in our lives.

We don't just need to vote for a politician, we need to follow them into Washington and make sure they do what they said they were going to do before they were elected. They know that once they get elected we are going back to our jobs and our lives and that's going to leave them open to do whatever they like. And, apparently what they like is creating stress in the voters lives.

You need to be more careful about who you vote for.

The good news is there is humor all around you too. Everywhere you turn it's there. The more bad news; we don't see the humor, we only see the stress. We're programmed that way. You need to re-program yourself to see the humor and not the stress. Then your life will be so much better.

Worrying about how things are will only make matters worse. It never ceases to amaze me at what people do to get over stress. They smoke, they drink, they binge eat; all of which causes more stress in their lives.

All you need to do is see the humor in life and enjoy living more.

BC is a stress relief expert and humor therapist. His website is www.worldwidebc.com

Washington DC is the Reason for our Stress

2008-07-31T13:17:00.000-07:00

Did you know that most of the stress in our lives comes from Washington, D.C.? It's true. Think about it; high gas prices, corporations downsizing, moving overseas greatly increasing the unemployment rate, selling the country to foreign companies, illegal aliens taking over the country, the war in Iraq that should have never happened, crooked politicians (like there's any other kind) taking advantage of their position, misusing our hard earned tax dollars; it all causes stress and it's all the fault of Capital Hill.

Meanwhile, they ride to work everyday in a limousine, have expensive wine every night for dinner, which they don't pay for, the vote themselves a raise whenever they want to; they live in a different world from me and you, but we're paying for that world and that causes stress.

I can't believe that American voters are so stupid that they vote for these people. Of all the qualified people we have to lead this country, look at the two we ended up with.

And all they're going to do is more of what every other person we've elected has done. Obama isn't going to change anything. It's going to be business as usual in D.C.

If you want to end stress in your life, be more careful with who you vote for. Follow them to Washington. We have TV channels and websites to tell you what your politicians are doing. Keep up with them. And if they don't do what they said they would do, VOTE THEM OUT.

People like Kennedy and Byrd and that creep in Alaska who are career politicians are screwing this country to death, yet they keep getting elected because the people who vote for them are ignorant.

Don't be ignorant. Be careful who you vote for. Let's take America back and end the stress in our lives.

Stress On The Job

2008-04-04T19:50:00.000-07:00

Stress on the job is not healthy. Check out the results of this 2000 annual Attitudes In The american Workplace VI

80% of workers feel stress on the job, nearly half say they need help in learning how to manage stress and 42% say their coworkers need such help;

14% of respondents had felt like striking a coworker in the past year, but didn't;

25% have felt like screaming or shouting because of job stress, 10% are concerned about an individual at work they fear could become violent;

9% are aware of an assault or violent act in their workplace and 18% had experienced some sort of threat or verbal intimidation in the past year.

Stress can be dangerous. You need to get a grip on it before it gets to you.

B.C.'s book Stress Management 101 teaches you how to get over stress in your life with humor and meditation. To order your copy send $15 to: WorldWideBC, 115 Sunset Point, Semora, NC 27343

B.C. is a stress management expert and humor therapist and is available for keynotes and seminars Nationwide.

Meditation

2008-03-14T18:25:00.000-07:00

Everyday ways to practice meditation
Here are some ways you can practice meditation on your own, whenever you choose. Take a few minutes or as much time as you like.

Breathe deeply. This technique is good for beginners because breathing is a natural function. Focus all attention on your breathing. Concentrate on feeling and listening as you inhale and exhale through your nostrils. Breathe deeply and slowly. When you feel your attention wander,
gently return your focus to your breathing.

Scan your body. When using this technique, focus attention on different parts of your body. Become aware of your body's various sensations, whether that's pain, tension, warmth or relaxation. Combine body scanning with breathing exercises and imagine breathing heat or relaxation into and out of different parts of your body.

Repeat a sacred name or phrase. A mantra is the name of a sacred deity or a sacred phrase that you repeat silently or aloud. You can create your own mantra. Mantras are the building blocks of transcendental meditation. Examples of religious mantras include a Jesus prayer in the Christian tradition, the holy name of God in Judaism, or the Om mantra of Hinduism, Buddhism and other Eastern religions.

Walking meditation. Combining a walk with meditation is an efficient and healthy way to relax. You can use this technique anywhere you're walking - in a tranquil forest, on a city sidewalk or at the mall. When you use this method, slow down the pace of walking so that you can focus on each movement of your legs or feet. Don't focus on a particular destination. Concentrate on your legs and feet, repeating action words in your mind such as lifting, moving and placing as you lift each foot, move your leg forward and place your foot on the ground.

Engage in prayer. Prayer is the best known and most widely practiced example of meditation. Spoken and written prayers are found in most faith traditions. You can pray using your own words or read prayers written by others. Check the self-help or 12-step-recovery section of your local bookstore for examples. Talk with your rabbi, priest, pastor or other spiritual leader about resources.

Read or listen and take time to reflect. Many people report that they benefit from reading poems or sacred texts silently or aloud, and taking a few moments to quietly reflect on the meaning that the words bring to mind. You can listen to sacred music, spoken words or any music you find relaxing or inspiring. You may want to write your reflections in a journal or discuss them with a friend or spiritual leader.

Focus your love and gratitude. In this type of meditation, you focus your attention on a sacred object or being, weaving feelings of love and gratitude into your thoughts. You can also close your eyes and use your imagination or gaze at representations of the object.

Stress & Anxiety

2008-03-13T05:17:00.000-07:00

Stress can come from any situation or thought that makes you feel frustrated, angry, or anxious. What is stressful to one person is not necessarily stressful to another.

Anxiety is a feeling of apprehension or fear. The source of this uneasiness is not always known or recognized, which can add to the distress you feel.

Stress is a normal part of life. In small quantities, stress is good -- it can motivate you and help you be more productive. However, too much stress, or a strong response to stress, is harmful. It can set you up for general poor health as well as specific physical or psychological illnesses like infection, heart disease, or depression. Persistent and unrelenting stress often leads to anxiety and unhealthy behaviors like overeating and abuse of alcohol or drugs.

Emotional states like grief or depression and health conditions like an overactive thyroid, low blood sugar, or heart attack can also cause stress.

Anxiety is often accompanied by physical symptoms, including:
· Twitching or trembling
· Muscle tension, headaches
· Sweating
· Dry mouth, difficulty swallowing
· Abdominal pain (may be the only symptom of stress, especially in a child)

Sometimes other symptoms accompany anxiety:
· Dizziness
· Rapid or irregular heart rate
· Rapid breathing
· Diarrhea or frequent need to urinate
· Fatigue
· Irritability, including loss of your temper
· Sleeping difficulties and nightmares
· Decreased concentration
· Sexual problems

Anxiety disorders are a group of psychiatric conditions that involve excessive anxiety. They include generalized anxiety disorder, specific phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and social phobia.

Certain drugs, both recreational and medicinal, can lead to symptoms of anxiety due to either side effects or withdrawal from the drug. Such drugs include caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, cold remedies, decongestants, bronchodilators for asthma, tricyclic antidepressants, cocaine, amphetamines, diet pills, ADHD medications, and thyroid medications.

A poor diet -- for example, low levels of vitamin B12 -- can also contribute to stress or anxiety. Performance anxiety is related to specific situations, like taking a test or making a presentation in public. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) develops after a traumatic event like war, physical or sexual assault, or a natural disaster. People with generalized anxiety disorder experience almost constant worry or anxiety about many things on more than half of all days for 6 months. Panic disorder or panic attacks involve sudden and unexplained fear, rapid breathing, and increased heartbeat.

In very rare cases, a tumor of the adrenal gland (pheochromocytoma) may be the cause of anxiety. The symptoms are caused by an overproduction of hormones responsible for the feelings of anxiety.

The most effective solution is to find and address the source of your stress or anxiety. Unfortunately, this is not always possible. A first step is to take an inventory of what you think might be making you "stress out":
· What do you worry about most?
· Is something constantly on your mind?
· Does anything in particular make you sad or depressed?
· Keep a diary of the experiences and thoughts that seem to be related to your anxiety. Are your thoughts adding to your anxiety in these situations?

Then, find someone you trust (friend, family member, neighbor, clergy) who will listen to you. Often, just talking to a friend or loved one is all that is needed to relieve anxiety. Most communities also have support groups and hotlines that can help. Social workers, psychologists, and other mental health professionals may be needed for therapy and medication.

Also, find healthy ways to cope with stress. For example:
· Eat a well-balanced, healthy diet. Don't overeat.
· Get enough sleep.
· Exercise regularly.
· Limit caffeine and alcohol.
· Don't use nicotine, cocaine, or other recreational drugs.
· Learn and practice relaxation techniques like guided imagery, progressive muscle relaxation, yoga, tai chi, or meditation. Try biofeedback, using a certified professional to get you started.
· Take breaks from work. Make sure to balance fun activities with your responsibilities. Spend time with people you enjoy.

· Find self-help books at your local library or bookstore.

Your doctor can help you determine if your anxiety would be best evaluated and treated by a mental health care professional.

Call 911 if:
· You have crushing chest pain, especially with shortness of breath, dizziness, or sweating. A heart attack can cause feelings of anxiety.
· You have thoughts of suicide.
· You have dizziness, rapid breathing, or racing heartbeat for the first time or it is worse than usual.

Call your health care provider if:
· You are unable to work or function properly at home because of anxiety.
· You do not know the source or cause of your anxiety.
· You have a sudden feeling of panic.
· You have an uncontrollable fear -- for example, of getting infected and sick if you are out, or a fear of heights.
· You repeat an action over and over again, like constantly washing your hands.
· You have an intolerance to heat, weight loss despite a good appetite, lump or swelling in the front of your neck, or protruding eyes. Your thyroid may be overactive.
· Your anxiety is elicited by the memory of a traumatic event.
· You have tried self care for several weeks without success or you feel that your anxiety will not resolve without professional help.

Ask your pharmacist or health care provider if any prescription or over-the-counter drugs you are taking can cause anxiety as a side effect. Do not stop taking any prescribed medicines without your provider's instructions.

Your doctor will take a medical history and perform a physical examination, paying close attention to your pulse, blood pressure, and respiratory rate.
To help better understand your anxiety, stress, or tension, your doctor may ask the following:
· When did your feelings of stress, tension, or anxiety begin? Do you attribute the feelings to anything in particular like an event in your life or a circumstance that scares you?
· Do you have physical symptoms along with your feelings of anxiety? What are they?
· Does anything make your anxiety better?
· Does anything make your anxiety worse?
· What medications are you taking?

Diagnostic tests may include blood tests (CBC, thyroid function tests) as well as an electrocardiogram (ECG).

If the anxiety is not accompanied by any worrisome physical signs and symptoms, a referral to a mental health care professional may be recommended for appropriate treatment.

Psychotherapy such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has been shown to significantly decrease anxiety. In some cases, medications such as benzodiazepines or antidepressants may be appropriate.

Stress: Unhealthy response to the pressures of life

2008-02-08T17:27:00.001-08:00

Today's news includes round-the-clock coverage of natural and man-made disasters. Earthquakes and floods. Wars and terrorist attacks. Just 10 minutes of watching the news can make your stress level soar which is what the news is designed to do. That's why all the commercials on the news are for drugs that will help you get over the symptons that are caused by stress.

Compounding matters, you've got a big presentation in an hour, and you've hardly had a chance to prepare. Urgent e-mails keep popping onto your display screen, each one sending a stab of anxiety through your chest. your phone is ringing off the hook. As you frantically scribble notes for the presentation, your heart races, your palms sweat and your head pounds. you are stressed out and you don't have to be. Being stressed over the matter only makes the matter worse. Get control.

Physical reactions you experience when you're stressed are no accident. The human body developed these defense mechanisms to deal with the threat of predators and aggressors. But modern life is full of new threats. Your body's well-adapted defenses against physical dangers may not be as effective at dealing with the stress you feel while managing a huge workload, making ends meet, or taking care of an ill parent or child.

Instead of protecting you, your body's response to stress, if constantly activated, may make you more vulnerable to life-threatening health problems.

What is the stress response?
Stress response, often referred to as the "fight-or-flight" reaction, is your body's rapid and automatic switch into "high gear." It's easy to imagine how this reaction helps you deal with a physical threat. You need the energy, speed, concentration and agility either to protect yourself or to run as fast as possible.

When you encounter such a threat, the hypothalamus, a tiny region at the base of your brain, sets off an alarm system in your body. Through a combination of nerve and hormonal signals, this system prompts your adrenal glands, situated atop your kidneys, to release a surge of hormones - the most abundant being adrenaline and cortisol.

Adrenaline increases your heart rate, elevates your blood pressure and boosts energy supplies. Cortisol, the primary stress hormone, increases sugars (glucose) in the bloodstream, enhances the brain's use of glucose and increases the availability of substances that repair tissues.
Cortisol also curbs functions that would be nonessential or detrimental in a fight-or-flight situation. It alters immune system responses and suppresses the digestive system, the reproductive system and growth processes.

The complex alarm system also communicates with regions of the brain that control mood, motivation and fear.

Stress response working overtime
The stress-response system is self-regulating. It decreases hormone levels and enables your body to return to normal once a crisis has passed. As levels of the hormones in your bloodstream decline, your heart rate and blood pressure return to normal, and other systems resume their regular activities.

But physical threats aren't the only events that trigger the stress response. Psychological "threats" - such as the stress associated with work, interpersonal relationships, major life changes, illness or the death of a loved one - can set off the same alarm system. The less control you have over these potentially stress-inducing events and the more uncertainty they create, the more likely you are to feel stressed. Even the typical day-to-day demands of living can contribute to your body's stress response.

Also, many of our modern stressful circumstances, unlike most physical threats, tend to be prolonged. Consequently, you may be running on the fight-or-flight reaction longer than it's intended to operate. What's good for your body in a short-term crisis can be very harmful over long periods.

The long-term activation of the stress-response system - and the subsequent overexposure to cortisol and other stress hormones - can disrupt almost all your body's processes, increasing your risk of obesity, insomnia, digestive problems, heart disease, depression, memory impairment, physical illnesses and other complications.

Digestive system
It's common to have a stomachache or diarrhea when you're stressed. This happens because stress hormones slow the release of stomach acid and the emptying of the stomach. The same hormones also stimulate the colon, which speeds the passage of its contents. Chronic hormone-induced changes can increase your appetite and put you at risk of weight gain. That's why we have more fat people in America than any other country. We're stressed out more than any other country. Our government is a large source of this stress.

Immune system
Your immune system is a complex balancing act between components that operate as an all-purpose emergency crew and more specialized components that deal with specific disease agents. The immune system, like the hormone system, evolved so that it could quickly deal with physical threats. Indeed, cortisol is one factor that prompts the system to reprioritize its tasks.
These shifting priorities are essential for priming the immune system to respond quickly to injuries, like creating inflammation around a bite or puncture wound, but these changes are not beneficial in the long run. When you experience chronic stress, some features of your immune system may remain suppressed, making you susceptible to infections. Other features of the immune system may be permitted to run unchecked, increasing your risk of autoimmune diseases, in which your immune system attacks your body's own healthy cells.

Stress may also worsen the symptoms of an autoimmune disease. For example, stress can trigger lupus flare-ups.

Nervous system
Certain byproducts of cortisol act as sedatives, which can contribute to an overall feeling of depression. If your fight-or-flight response never shuts off, the stress hormones may contribute to persistent and severe depression, as well as feelings of anxiety, helplessness and impending doom.

Such stress-induced depression often results in sleep disturbances, loss of sex drive and loss of appetite. It also may make you more vulnerable to developing certain personality or behavioral disorders.

Studies also suggest that chronic activation of stress hormones may alter the operation and structure of brain cells that are critical for memory formation and function.
Cardiovascular system

Chronic activation of stress hormones can raise your heart rate and increase your blood pressure and blood lipid (cholesterol and triglyceride) levels. These are risk factors for both heart disease and stroke.

Cortisol levels also appear to play a role in the accumulation of abdominal fat, which gives some people an "apple" shape. People with apple body shapes have a higher risk of heart disease and diabetes than do people with "pear" body shapes, in which weight is more concentrated in the hips.

Other systems
Stress worsens many skin conditions - such as psoriasis, eczema, hives and acne - and can trigger asthma attacks.

Individual reactions to stress
Your reaction to a potentially stressful event is different from anyone else's. Some people are naturally laid-back about almost everything, while others react strongly at the slightest hint of stress - but most fall somewhere between those extremes.

Genetic variations may partly explain the differences. The genes that control the stress response keep most people on a fairly even keel, only occasionally priming the body for fight or flight. Overactive or underactive stress responses may stem from slight differences in these genes.
Life experiences may increase your sensitivity to stress as well. Strong stress reactions sometimes can be traced to early environmental factors. People who were exposed to extremely stressful events as children, such as neglect or abuse, tend to be particularly vulnerable to stress as adults.

Managing stress
Stressful events are a fact of life, but you can take steps to manage the impact these events have on you. You can learn to identify what stresses you out, how to take control of some stress-inducing circumstances, and how to take care of yourself physically and emotionally when you face events you can't control.

These strategies can include exercise, relaxation techniques, healthy nutritional choices, social support networks, professional psychotherapy and, of course, a good laugh. The payoff of managing stress is peace of mind and - perhaps - a longer, healthier life.

BC is a stress management expert and Humor Therapist. he speaks to corporations, Chambers of Commerce, Small Businesses and conferences Nationwide. His website is http://www.worldwidebc.com/

Stress Is Unhealthy

2008-02-08T17:27:00.000-08:00

Stress: Unhealthy response to the pressures of lifeDate updated: September 12, 2006 Content provided by MayoClinic.com

Compounding matters, you've got a big presentation in an hour, and you've hardly had a chance to prepare. Urgent e-mails keep popping onto your display screen, each one sending a stab of anxiety through your chest. As you frantically scribble notes for the presentation, your heart races, your palms sweat and your head pounds.

Physical reactions you experience when you're stressed are no accident. The human body developed these defense mechanisms to deal with the threat of predators and aggressors. But modern life is full of new threats. Your body's well-adapted defenses against physical dangers may not be as effective at dealing with the stress you feel while managing a huge workload, making ends meet, or taking care of an ill parent or child.

Instead of protecting you, your body's response to stress, if constantly activated, may make you more vulnerable to life-threatening health problems.

What is the stress response?
Stress response, often referred to as the "fight-or-flight" reaction, is your body's rapid and automatic switch into "high gear." It's easy to imagine how this reaction helps you deal with a physical threat. You need the energy, speed, concentration and agility either to protect yourself or to run as fast as possible.

When you encounter such a threat, the hypothalamus, a tiny region at the base of your brain, sets off an alarm system in your body. Through a combination of nerve and hormonal signals, this system prompts your adrenal glands, situated atop your kidneys, to release a surge of hormones - the most abundant being adrenaline and cortisol.

Adrenaline increases your heart rate, elevates your blood pressure and boosts energy supplies. Cortisol, the primary stress hormone, increases sugars (glucose) in the bloodstream, enhances the brain's use of glucose and increases the availability of substances that repair tissues.
Cortisol also curbs functions that would be nonessential or detrimental in a fight-or-flight situation. It alters immune system responses and suppresses the digestive system, the reproductive system and growth processes.

The complex alarm system also communicates with regions of the brain that control mood, motivation and fear.

Stress response working overtime
The stress-response system is self-regulating. It decreases hormone levels and enables your body to return to normal once a crisis has passed. As levels of the hormones in your bloodstream decline, your heart rate and blood pressure return to normal, and other systems resume their regular activities.

But physical threats aren't the only events that trigger the stress response. Psychological "threats" - such as the stress associated with work, interpersonal relationships, major life changes, illness or the death of a loved one - can set off the same alarm system. The less control you have over these potentially stress-inducing events and the more uncertainty they create, the more likely you are to feel stressed. Even the typical day-to-day demands of living can contribute to your body's stress response.

Also, many of our modern stressful circumstances, unlike most physical threats, tend to be prolonged. Consequently, you may be running on the fight-or-flight reaction longer than it's intended to operate. What's good for your body in a short-term crisis can be very harmful over long periods.

The long-term activation of the stress-response system - and the subsequent overexposure to cortisol and other stress hormones - can disrupt almost all your body's processes, increasing your risk of obesity, insomnia, digestive problems, heart disease, depression, memory impairment, physical illnesses and other complications.

Digestive system
It's common to have a stomachache or diarrhea when you're stressed. This happens because stress hormones slow the release of stomach acid and the emptying of the stomach. The same hormones also stimulate the colon, which speeds the passage of its contents. Chronic hormone-induced changes can increase your appetite and put you at risk of weight gain.

Immune system
Your immune system is a complex balancing act between components that operate as an all-purpose emergency crew and more specialized components that deal with specific disease agents. The immune system, like the hormone system, evolved so that it could quickly deal with physical threats. Indeed, cortisol is one factor that prompts the system to reprioritize its tasks.
These shifting priorities are essential for priming the immune system to respond quickly to injuries, like creating inflammation around a bite or puncture wound, but these changes are not beneficial in the long run. When you experience chronic stress, some features of your immune system may remain suppressed, making you susceptible to infections. Other features of the immune system may be permitted to run unchecked, increasing your risk of autoimmune diseases, in which your immune system attacks your body's own healthy cells.

Stress may also worsen the symptoms of an autoimmune disease. For example, stress can trigger lupus flare-ups.

Nervous system
Certain byproducts of cortisol act as sedatives, which can contribute to an overall feeling of depression. If your fight-or-flight response never shuts off, the stress hormones may contribute to persistent and severe depression, as well as feelings of anxiety, helplessness and impending doom.

Such stress-induced depression often results in sleep disturbances, loss of sex drive and loss of appetite. It also may make you more vulnerable to developing certain personality or behavioral disorders.

Studies also suggest that chronic activation of stress hormones may alter the operation and structure of brain cells that are critical for memory formation and function.
Cardiovascular system

Chronic activation of stress hormones can raise your heart rate and increase your blood pressure and blood lipid (cholesterol and triglyceride) levels. These are risk factors for both heart disease and stroke.

Cortisol levels also appear to play a role in the accumulation of abdominal fat, which gives some people an "apple" shape. People with apple body shapes have a higher risk of heart disease and diabetes than do people with "pear" body shapes, in which weight is more concentrated in the hips.

Other systems
Stress worsens many skin conditions - such as psoriasis, eczema, hives and acne - and can trigger asthma attacks.

Individual reactions to stress
Your reaction to a potentially stressful event is different from anyone else's. Some people are naturally laid-back about almost everything, while others react strongly at the slightest hint of stress - but most fall somewhere between those extremes.

Genetic variations may partly explain the differences. The genes that control the stress response keep most people on a fairly even keel, only occasionally priming the body for fight or flight. Overactive or underactive stress responses may stem from slight differences in these genes.
Life experiences may increase your sensitivity to stress as well. Strong stress reactions sometimes can be traced to early environmental factors. People who were exposed to extremely stressful events as children, such as neglect or abuse, tend to be particularly vulnerable to stress as adults.
Managing stress
Stressful events are a fact of life, but you can take steps to manage the impact these events have on you. You can learn to identify what stresses you out, how to take control of some stress-inducing circumstances, and how to take care of yourself physically and emotionally when you face events you can't control.
These strategies can include exercise, relaxation techniques, healthy nutritional choices, social support networks and professional psychotherapy. The payoff of managing stress is peace of mind and - perhaps - a longer, healthier life.

One Of The Main Causes Of Stress

2008-02-02T07:41:00.000-08:00

One of the main causes of stress is a place just North of Virginia called Capitol Hill. They do things that make us stressed out.

They don't get stressed because there is nothing to stress them out. They make the rules, they ride to work in linousines, they eat for free, we pay for it. They take trips and play golf because lobbyists pay for it if they vote in their favor and they usually do.

Their children will never have to pay for the wrong they've done to our country because they're politicians and their children get special treatment. That's why you've never heard of a politician's son going to Iraq. They don't have to.

It's a shame that we sit back and let this happen. But as long as we do, there will always be extreme stress in America.

We're practically in a recession and we're paying our politicians to let it happen. They're not doing a good job, so why should we pay them anything? I'll bet if we passed a law that says they onlly get paid if they do a good job, they'll start making changes and we'll see less stress in out lives.

BC is a stress management expert. His website is http://www.worldwidebc.com/

How To Deal With Stress

2008-01-26T20:48:00.000-08:00

The next time you get stressed out over something, stop and ask yourself, "What am I gaining from being stressed out over this?" Train yourself to do this and every time you're stressed out, whether it's traffic, the boss, the kids, whatever, ask yourself this and then change the way you're looking at the problem.

Remember, stress will only make the problem worse, not better. And it will take years off your life. You don't want that do you?

Remember, too, that stress is the number one cause of death in America today. You don't have to be one of them. Don't become a stastic. Laugh and live longer.

Have a good life.

To book a stress seminar or humor therapy with B.c. go to http://www.worldwidebc.com/

Laughter Is Good For You

2008-01-07T11:04:00.000-08:00

Laughter does to the soul what jogging does to the body. It's great exercise for the soul. If you laugh at least fifteen minutes a day, you will definately live a healthier, happier and longer life. And you will see life a lot differently than those who don't.

I don't know if you have noticed or not but we are negative by default. we expect everything to go wrong, and when we expect it, guess what, it happens.

How many times have you woke up, looked out the window and said to yourself, "Oh God, another day."? That's the negative way to face the day and if you face it negatively you will never accomplish anything and no one will want to be around you because you bring them down too.

They're already negavite enough. they woke up with the same attitude that you did. They don't need your negative attitude to bring them down more. they need something positive. Why can't you be the positivity that they need?

Tomorrow morning, wake up, look out the window and say to yourself, "Thank God it's another day." Try it and see how much better your day will go.

Think of all the positive things about your life. You have a home, you have a car, you have a wonderful family, you have your health, you have a beautiful sunset at the end of the day, you have everything you need to be a positive person.

Don't think negative, think positive and you will see a great chanbge in your life. just remember these two things,
1. Laugh at the little stuff and
2. everything is little stuff.

Here's to your health.

B.C. is a professional speaker and author of Stress Management 101 His website is www.worldwidebc.com You can order his products from there.

Holidays, Stress Days

2007-12-02T22:44:00.002-08:00

The holidays are a time of cheer and getting together with friends and family and having fun. So why is it also the most stressful time of the year? It's because there is so much going on and so little time to get it done. Getting in the crowds at the mall, pushing & shoving, cursing each other, fighting over a parking space. It lets you see just how some people really are. It's not a pretty sight.

The holidays are a time when you have friends & family over and everything has to be just right and that causes stress in your life. Any time there is a change in your daily routine, it causes stress and the holidays are definitely a change.

So, step back, take a deep breath and look at the humor. Laugh at the way people are reacting. Keep a smile on your face. everyone else will wonder how you can remain so calm. Meditate before you go shopping. It will help you relax. or, just do what I do. Get your Christmas shopping done in July and avoid the crowds. Don't have any parties at your house. leave it up to someone else to throw the parties.

All you have to worry about is the smile on your children's faces on Christmas Day and that, my friend is what Christmas is all about. And that smile is a great stress reliever.

What Is humor Therapy

2007-09-18T19:23:00.000-07:00

Humor therapy (sometimes called therapeutic humor) uses the power of smiles and laughter to aid healing. Humor therapy helps you find ways to make yourself (or others) smile and laugh more. When you think of humor therapy, picture clowns in the children's ward of a hospital cheering up sick children. Some hospitals now have humor carts that provide funny materials for people of any age. Many nurses have learned the value of providing a good laugh to those they care for.
Scientists have been researching the relation between the mind and the body, especially in connection with the body's ability to heal (a field called psychoneuroimmunology). Laughter appears to change brain chemistry and may boost the immune system.
Humor may allow a person to feel in control of a situation and make it seem manageable. It allows people to release fears, anger, and stress, all of which can harm the body over time. Humor improves the quality of life.

Is Humor Therapy Safe

2007-07-29T18:20:00.000-07:00

Humor therapy is completely safe. Your doctor is likely to approve of any efforts you make to use humor therapy, even if he or she is not aware of any medical benefits that may result. Since it is also inexpensive, risk-free, and readily available, there is little reason not to try practicing humor therapy.
Always tell your doctor if you are using an alternative therapy or if you are thinking about combining an alternative therapy with your conventional medical treatment. It may not be safe to forgo your conventional medical treatment and rely only on an alternative therapy.

Is humor good for my health?

2007-07-23T19:20:00.000-07:00

You've probably heard countless warnings about the dangers of negative emotions. Stress, anger, and depression can sap your immune system, encourage heart trouble, and slow your recovery from almost any illness. But how often do you hear the positive side of the story? Research consistently shows that positive emotions, including love, humor, and hope, may help your body fend off disease. As Bernie Siegel, M.D., wrote in his book Peace, Love and Healing,

"Feelings are chemical; they can kill or cure."

Norman Cousins, an editor of the Saturday Review, didn't feel particularly mirthful when he was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, a crippling form of arthritis. But as he described in his 1979 book The Anatomy of an Illness, humor was definitely part of his recovery plan. Soon after the diagnosis, Cousins vowed to tackle his disease with confidence and laughter. He set up a movie projector in his hospital room and frequently watched Marx Brothers movies and classic episodes of "Candid Camera."

(On the downside, his constant laughter bothered some of the neighboring patients.) In between reels, he stayed upbeat and relaxed. Over a period of months, he regained motion in his joints and felt the pain disappear. He eventually made a nearly full recovery from his "incurable" disease. Cousins went on to help establish a department at the University of California at Los Angeles medical school that investigates the connection between illness and the mind.

What Is Humor Therapy Used For?

2007-07-09T19:05:00.000-07:00

Anyone can use humor therapy, either preventively or as part of treatment for any disease. People commonly use it in the treatment of long-term (chronic) diseases, especially those that are made worse by stress (such as heart disease and asthma). Chronic diseases can often have a negative effect on mood and attitude, which can make the disease worse. Humor therapy helps decrease the negative effects of feeling unhealthy, out of control, afraid, or helpless, which are common problems for those with cancer or chronic diseases.

Humor therapy is also valuable as a preventive measure for the caregivers of people with chronic diseases. Caregivers are at high risk of becoming sick themselves, and humor therapy can help release the stress that comes from being a caregiver. Caregivers and those they care for can practice humor therapy together, and they both are likely to have better health as a result.

BC is a professional speaker on humor and being a father. He is the author of the book Humor Therapy 101 and How To Be A Daddy Not A Father. His website is www.worldwidebc.com

Laughter Is The Best Medicine

2007-06-29T21:45:00.000-07:00

Patients, doctors and health-care professionals are all finding that laughter may indeed be the best medicine.

Laughing is found to lower blood pressure, reduce stress hormones, increase muscle flexion, and boost immune function by raising levels of infection-fighting T-cells, disease-fighting proteins called Gamma-interferon and B-cells, which produce disease-destroying antibodies. Laughter also triggers the release of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers, and produces a general sense of well-being.

Laughter is infectious. Hospitals around the country are incorporating formal and informal laughter therapy programs into their therapeutic regimens. In countries such as India, laughing clubs -- in which participants gather in the early morning for the sole purpose of laughing -- are becoming as popular as Rotary Clubs in the United States.

Humor is a universal language. It's a contagious emotion and a natural diversion. It brings other people in and breaks down barriers. Best of all it is free and has no known side reactions.

B.C. is a Humorologist who teaches Humor Therapy. His website is www.worldwidebc.com

Laught To Lose Weight

2007-06-19T11:41:00.000-07:00

By Victoria WesselerLifestyle, Gardening, and Culinary Writer.

Every once in a while I run across a bit of information that sounds just too good to be true. When I heard that a group of researchers from Vanderbilt University’s Department of Medicine announced that laughing caused people to burn extra calories, I just had to investigate it.

I wondered if there could be at least a kernel of truth in their study, which hinted that laughter might be a way to lose weight. After all, studies have shown that laughter, which has been said for years to be good medicine, can enhance the immune system, reduce stress, and keep our hearts healthy.

That's all great, but what could it do for my waistline? Could I laugh my way back into my skinny jeans? Before I replaced my hour on the treadmill with an hour of watching my favorite sitcoms, I thought I should investigate the study’s findings.Turns out that the study is real and does, in fact, show that genuine laughter causes an increase in energy expenditure.

The study’s methodology and results were recently printed in the International Journal of Obesity (2007) 31, 131-137. Note the use of the term genuine. The researchers say that fake laughter, such as the giggle you force out at an old joke told for the tenth time by your distant (but not distant enough) relative at a holiday dinner, doesn’t count.

To be beneficial, the laughter has to be a sincere, spontaneous laugh.If you get a chance to read the entire study, you’d probably find it pretty interesting. But I’ll cut to the chase. The bottom line is that during genuine laughter, as compared to a resting state, we expend between 10–20 percent more energy, and our heart rate is increased by the same amount.

The good news is that 15 minutes of laughter can burn between 10–40 calories. The bad news is that it’s just not enough to replace even the lightest daily form of exercise or intense physical activity. But, not to be discouraged, at the end of the study’s results, the researchers note, “This amount [15 minutes per day] of energy expenditure during 1 year with no changes in other components of energy balance, may translate into an annual weight loss [of approximately 1–4 pounds of body weight], if all other components of energy balance remained unchanged.”

I say that beats gaining 1–4 pounds a year!So, we now have scientific proof that laughter is good for our figures. And, as we all know, there are few things better for eliciting hale and hearty belly laughs than time spent with your best female friends. The friendships that we have with close female friends are literally life sustaining.

Numerous studies show that people who lack in friendships and are isolated from others die earlier than those who have close friends in whom they can confide and with whom they can share good times. Yet despite all their value, we have fewer friends than ever before. In June 2006, USA Today noted that 25 percent of all Americans have no close confidants in their lives.

Apparently, in the face of demanding schedules and overloaded daily activities, we often place non-relative relationships at the end of our “to do” list.Making a conscious effort to see our friends regularly is important. Whether it’s a monthly brunch, a weekly game night, or a semi-annual “ladies-only weekend at the cabin,” we have to plan and commit to nurturing and investing our time in these relationships.

Every year, I hold an annual “ladies-only” party where I invite my friends and ask them to invite one or two of their friends as guests. Anywhere from 50 to 60 women show up. For 11 years the party theme was chocolate, chocolate, and more chocolate. Guests each brought sinful chocolate desserts to share with each other. In 2005 and 2006, the theme was announced as a “Ladies Only Pajamarama and Cocktail Party.”

Tiaras and feather boas were noted on the invitation as optional, but highly encouraged. My friends did not disappointment me with their attire. I had no idea so many of them owned tiaras and boas. Obviously, they were just waiting for the perfect excuse to wear them in public. Even my neighbor’s female Weimaraner dressed in full party regalia—no one could figure out how that dog kept a tiara on her head and a white feather boa around her neck all night.

Take a few minutes today to think about those wonderful women you are privileged to call your friends. Where would you be without them in your life? They soothe your spirit. They feed your soul. They lift you up as only another person in your life can. They help you through significant life passages. They are there to dry your eyes when you are defeated and applaud you when you succeed. They understand you better than you understand yourself. They want what’s best for you.

They create a safe place to discuss your dreams and fears. They are Lucy to our Ethel; Laverne to our Shirley; Monica to our Rachel. And, maybe best of all, just when you think all is lost, they’re the ones that always give you plenty of reasons to break into a healthy, calorie-burning, genuine laugh!

Victoria Wesseler is a lifestyle, gardening and culinary writer. She is a weekly featured columnist for CDKitchen.com and has been published in Cooking Pleasures, Out Here, Indianapolis DINE magazine, and Indianapolis Monthly HOME Magazine. She has written and produced culinary segments for broadcast on WKYT in Lexington, KY.

Humor Therapy. What Is It?

2007-06-10T21:17:00.000-07:00

HUMOR THERAPY: WHAT IS IT?[From the American Cancer Society]

Comical or amusing entertainment. A quality that appeals to the sense of the ridiculous. That's what the dictionary calls humor. But in considering humor as a useful complementary therapy, scientists look at the possible release of endorphins that occurs when we laugh.

They see humor as a distraction from stress and pain.Humor as therapy is its deliberate use to provide symptom relief. This happens because humor reduces the natural stresses of illness and distracts the patient from pain. It is useful for treating people with physical and emotional problems.

The value of humor has been confirmed to the point that many hospitals and ambulatory care centers now have incorporated special rooms where materials - and sometimes people - are there to help make people laugh. Materials include movies, audio and videotapes, books, games, and puzzles for patients of every age. Movies and TV shows by popular comedians from Laurel and Hardy to Bob Hope and Bob Newhart, humorous songs, the joke of the day on the Internet, the one paragraph jokes and funny stories from the Readers' Digest, all have value in helping patients who would otherwise have little to laugh about.

A hospital in North Carolina created a "laughmobile" that visits bedridden patients. Many hospitals throughout the nation now use volunteer groups who visit patients with carts full of humor devices, including slapstick items such as water pistols and rubber chickens. They visit patients who are fighting cancer and other serious illnesses, providing an oasis of laughter during an otherwise difficult time.With all of the various objects and techniques, the goal is similar and simple: make patients laugh and help them put aside their fears, their concerns about health, and their discomforts.

BC is a speaker/author on Humor Therapy. His website is www.worldwidebc.com

Fun and the Bottom Line: Using Humor to Retain Employees

2007-06-10T20:27:00.000-07:00

Article by David Granirer*
Humor for Retaining EmployeesPicture this: a team of welfare workers on the front-lines of a poor neighborhood, serving difficult, high-needs clients. And if that’s not tough enough, each has a caseload of about 300 and works for an organization undergoing massive funding cuts, downsizing, and policy changes.
But every day after coffee, it's the same. The supervisor and two workers appear in the reception area. "What song do you wanna hear? Do you wanna hear Jazz? Rock? Folk?" Then, "playing" accordion folders and staple removers as finger cymbals, they launch into the world’s worst rendition of "Across The Universe" by John Lennon, to the hysterical laughter of their colleagues.
"It's our way of keeping up morale," says a team member. "We're so overwhelmed, so stressed, so burned out. This is how we keep our sanity."
As more and more organizations reengineer, merge, restructure, downsize, rightsize, and even capsize, employees confront uncertainty on an almost daily basis. The rules keep changing in terms of what they're supposed to do, how they’re supposed to do it, who they do it for, and whether they get to do it at all.
And since most have little or no control over the making of these rules, the result is often a sense of powerlessness that translates into increased stress, decreased wellness, demoralization, absenteeism, and lower productivity, all of which affect rates of retaining employees. And we all know that people are an organization’s number one asset, and losing them costs money.
So the big question for both individuals and organizations is: how do you keep up spirits, continue to work effectively, and maintain health and sanity in a crazy-making situation? The team of welfare workers described chooses to laugh.
They could also choose despair, cynicism, bitterness, or negativity, but instead team members choose laughter. As one worker states, "We could either cry, or we could laugh, but you can only cry for so long. We’d had enough of crying, and it was time to do something else."
So, how do you help employees, who have little or no control over external events, survive a crazy-making situation? Organizations need to encourage employees to take control over the one aspect of the situation they do control - how they choose to respond to it.
And on those days where workers feel overwhelmed, overworked, and have no idea what's going to happen next, the only rational, life-affirming response is to go find some colleagues, and break out the clown noses, kazoos, and Groucho glasses.
Why Laughter?Why is laughter such a positive choice? We all know that it makes us feel good, but in today’s bottom-line oriented workplace, the term "feel good" is too nebulous to have much impact on how people go about structuring their job interactions and professional relationships.
And most organizations are not going to promote humor as part of their culture because some "touchy feely" wellness devotee thinks that having the boss come to work dressed as a chicken will create a happy afterglow.
So any discussion of the benefits of laughter needs to be more tangible and focused on addressing positive morale, a major factor contributing to retaining valued employees. Remember though, humor is a coping mechanism to aid in retaining employees, not a cure-all for other systemic problems affecting organizations.
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*David Granirer, M.A., is North America's Psychotherapist/Stand-up Comic. David gives laughter in the workplace presentations for hundreds of organizations throughout North America. For more information or to receive his free email newsletter "Get More Laughter In Your Life!" call (604) 205-9242 or go to David's web site.

B.C. is a professional speaker/author/musician/magician/storyteller who speaks on Humor Therapy He may be contacted at www.worldwidebc.com

Humor Therapy At Rochester

2007-05-31T22:42:00.000-07:00

Humor Therapy
An innovative program utilizing therapeutic humor and laughter as a complementary part of medicine is being utilized to enhance the satisfaction and quality of life for patients, their families, and staff at ViaHealth Rochester General Hospital.
The Therapeutic Humor Program consists of four components:
Clown RoundsHumor ChannelHumor LibraryHumor Education
With the availability of all four components we are able to:
Provide a mirthful environment
Enhance the positive and caring RGH healthcare experience
Reduce stress, decrease anxiety, and relieve fear
Provide a powerful distraction tool
Complement medical care and treatment with a smile
Enhance communication
Act as an ambassador to and for the RGH community
Our Therapeutic Humor Coordinator has spoken both locally and nationally about this innovative ViaHealth program.
The Rochester General Hospital Foundation has provided funding for the program. This program is supported entirely by dedicated volunteers and generous donations from the community. Anyone wishing to donate to the program should contact the:
Rochester General Hospital FoundationParnall Office Building, Suite G-041445 Portland AvenueRochester, NY 14621(585) 922-4800

B.C. is a professional speaker/musician/magician/author/storyteller who speaks on humor worldwidebc. Visit his website at www.worldwidebc.com

The History Of Humor Therapy

2007-05-28T18:23:00.000-07:00

Humor has been used in medicine throughout recorded history. One of the earliest mentions of the health benefits of humor is in the book of Proverbs in the Bible. As early as the 13th century, some surgeons used humor to distract patients from the pain of surgery. Humor was also widely used and studied by the medical community in the early 20th century. In more modern times, the most famous story of humor therapy involved Norman Cousins, then editor of the Saturday Review. According to the story, Mr. Cousins cured himself of an unknown illness with a self-invented regimen of laughter and vitamins.

B.C. is a speaker/author/musician/magician/storyteller who speaks on Humor Therapy worldwide. His website is www.worldwidebc.com

Psychoneuroimmunology and Humor

2007-05-12T18:07:00.000-07:00

Every year, there is more evidence that your thoughts, moods, emotions, and belief system have a fundamental impact on the body’s basic health and healing mechanisms. Much of that evidence is discussed here at holisticonline.com.

Whether or not you get sick depends on your body’s ability to fight off infection and disease. In 1980 (prior to the discovery of the AIDS virus), the departing editor of the New England Journal of Medicine, Dr. Franz Ingelfinger, estimated that 85% of all human illnesses are curable by the body’s own healing system. We now know that building a positive focus in your life plays an important role in supporting the body's ability to do this.

The body’s healing system responds favorably to positive attitudes, thoughts, moods, and emotions (e.g., to love, hope, optimism, caring, intimacy, joy, laughter, and humor), and negatively to negative ones (hate, hopelessness, pessimism, indifference, anxiety, depression, loneliness, etc.). So you want to organize your life to maintain as positive a focus as possible.

Paul E. McGhee, PhD

B.C. has been a professional speaker on Humor Therapy for 20-years. He may be contacted at: www.worldwidebc.com

The Healing Power Of Humor

2007-05-12T17:57:00.000-07:00

The following is an excerpt taken from Chapter 3: Humor and Healing, or Why We're Building a Silly Hospital of Gesundheit!: Bringing Good Health To You, The Medical System, And Society Through Physician Service, Complementary Therapies, Humor And Joy.

The arrival of a good clown exercises more beneficial influence upon the health of a town than of twenty asses laden with drugs.Dr. Thomas Sydenham, seventeenth-century physician
Humor is an antidote to all ills. I believe that fun is as important as love. The bottom line, when you ask people what they like about life, is the fun they have, whether it’s racing cars, dancing, gardening, golf, or writing books. Philosophically speaking, I’m surprised that anyone is ever serious. Life is such a miracle and it’s so good to be alive that I wonder why anybody ever wastes a minute!

Anyone who has picked up a copy of Reader’s Digest in the last forty years knows that laughter is the best medicine. In spite of the empirical nature of this truth, the mainstream medical literature hasn’t refuted it, as far as I know. The late Norman Cousins wrote eloquently about having laughed himself back to health after suffering from a serious chronic disease. The experience had such an impact that he changed careers late in life to help bring this information to the health care profession. Jokes seemed so important to Sigmund Freud that he wrote a book on the subject. But we don’t need professionals to tell us about the magnetism of laughter. With great insight, we call a funny person “the life of the party.”

Humor has been strongly promoted as health-giving throughout medical history, from Hippocrates to Sir William Osler. As science became dominant in medicine, subjective therapies like love, faith, and humor took a backseat because of the difficult task of objectively investigating their value. I am astounded that anybody feels the need to prove something so obvious. When individuals and groups are asked what is most important for good health, humor invariably heads the list even over love and faith, which many people feel have failed them. Few people deny that a good sense of humor is essential for a successful marriage. All public speakers recognize that humor is essential in drawing attention to what they are saying.

People crave laughter as if it were an essential amino acid. When the woes of existence beset us, we urgently seek comic relief. The more emotions we invest in a subject, the greater its potential for guffaws. Sex, marriage, prejudice, and politics provide a bottomless well of ideas; yet, humor is often denied in the adult world. Almost universally in the business, religious, medical, and academic worlds, humor is denigrated and even condemned, except in speeches and anecdotes. The stress is on seriousness, with the implication that humor is inappropriate. Health education does little to develop the skills of levity. On the contrary, hospitals are notorious for their somber atmosphere. Although hospital staff members may enjoy camaraderie among themselves, with patients their goal seems to be to fight suffering with suffering. What little humor there is occurs during visiting hours.

The focus on humor in medicine at Gesundheit Institute has often been declared a major deterrent to our getting funds. Still, I insist that humor and fun (which is humor in action) are equal partners with love as key ingredients for a healthy life.

Although humor itself is difficult to evaluate, the response to humor-laughter-can be studied quite readily. Research has shown that laughter increases the secretion of the natural chemicals, catecholamines and endorphins, that make people feel so peppy and good. It also decreases cortisol secretion and lowers the sedimentation rate, which implies a stimulated immune response. Oxygenation of the blood increases, and residual air in the lungs decreases. Heart rate initially speeds up and blood pressure rises; then the arteries relax, causing heart rate and blood pressure to lower. Skin temperature rises as a result of increased peripheral circulation. Thus, laughter appears to have a positive effect on many cardiovascular and respiratory problems. In addition, laughter has superb muscle relaxant qualities. Muscle physiologists have shown that anxiety and muscle relaxation cannot occur at the same time and that the relaxation response after a hearty laugh can last up to forty-five minutes.

Psychologically, humor forms the foundation of good mental health. Certainly the lack of a good sense of humor indicates underlying problems like depression or alienation. Humor is an excellent antidote to stress and an effective social lubricant. Since loving human relationships are so mentally healthy, it behooves one to develop a humorous side.

I have reached the conclusion that humor is vital in healing the problems of individuals, communities, and societies. I have been a street clown for thirty years and have tried to make my own life silly, not as that word is currently used, but in terms of its original meaning. “Silly” originally meant good, happy, blessed, fortunate, kind, and cheerful in many different languages. No other attribute has been more important. Wearing a rubber nose wherever I go has changed my life. Dullness and boredom melt away. Humor has made my life joyous and fun. It can do the same for you. Wearing underwear on the outside of your clothes can turn a tedious trip to the store for a forgotten carton of milk into an amusement park romp. People so unabashedly thank you for entertaining them.

Being funny is a powerful magnet for friendship, life’s most important treasure. Nothing attracts or maintains friendship like being a jolly soul. I know that humor has been at the core of preventing burnout in my life. Finally, as a nonviolent person, I feel that humor has often protected me by deflecting potentially violent situations.

In the twelve years we saw patients during the pilot phase of Gesundheit Institute, we had many opportunities to explore the relationship between humor and medicine. Although we greatly appreciated casual humor, it seemed imperative that we deliberately incorporate it into our day-to-day lives to prevent an atmosphere of agony and despair. Some of this humor came from a stream of jokes that patients and staff brought with them. However, jokes die quickly, and we found that for an atmosphere of humor to thrive, we had to live funny.

We learned to first develop an air of trust and love, because spontaneous humor can be offensive, and we wanted it to be taken in the spirit of trying. (Cautious people are rarely funny.) It soon became clear that silliness was a potent force in keeping the staff together as friends. And I, as a physician, began to see the potent medicinal effect of humor on diseases of all kinds.
Humor is important, too, for the health of a community, whether a neighborhood, church, club, or circle of friends. It has helped me live communally for more than twenty years. The first twelve years we used our home as a free hospital, surrounded by patients who had great mental and physical suffering. The staff stayed many years without pay or privacy because it was so much fun. As physicians, we also discovered that humor was a major medicine. Humor, maybe even more than love, made our pioneering project work; it would have been impossible without this great social glue.

We live in a troubled world. Many aspects of society are unhealthy or even deadly, and large segments of the population live on the edge. If we are to doctor society we must rely heavily on humor. Often in public a parent and child are at odds, and the frustrated parent is ready to strike out at the child. If I put on my rubber nose and act goofy, most of the time the situation is defused and neither parent nor child has a win/lose feeling.

How can one inject more humor into a medical setting? First, it must be a joint decision by administration and staff. The most important elements of bedside manner are not medical knowledge or skill but the qualities inherent in fun and love. Once the medical establishment has agreed to accept more humor, people at all levels of employment will be willing to take steps in this direction. It is easiest to be funny when people are familiar with one another. Spend time together learning your limits and practicing being funny. Invite patients and visitors to participate. Be open to experimentation and escalate slowly. Expect many experiments to fail and even to cause some pain. Avoid racist and sexist humor. Strive for goofiness and fun, not an infinite string of jokes.

Some hospitals have begun the process already. At Duke University Hospital, humor carts deliver videos, cartoon and humor books, juggling equipment, toys, and games. DeKalb Hospital, near Atlanta, has created a Lively Room for romping. The clowns of the Big Apple Circus in New York City have created Clown Care Units, which visit children’s hospitals on a regular basis to bring joy and assist with patient care. The Association of Therapeutic Humor is creating a clearinghouse with information about humor and about people who practice it as therapy. Finally, we at Gesundheit Institute are building the first silly hospital, where the entire context will be geared to fun and play.

There are many avenues to explore. I think hospitals need to give patients a choice between a goofy ward or a “straight,” solemn ward. In lectures all over the United States, I ask medical groups which ward they would choose, and more than 90 percent always choose the goofy ward. In any hospital, “fun” rooms could be designated as playful environments for all to enjoy. This could attract many of the community’s creative people, forge closer bonds between hospital and community, and diminish the hierarchical nature of current medical practice.

For all levels of staff, I suggest classes, intimate gatherings, picnics, and even slumber parties to cultivate the closeness needed to ensure more humor and joy in the workplace. I suggest creating humor support groups and maybe a place where people come just to laugh. Many hospitals have realized the importance of faith and have included ministers and priests on the staff. The same could be done with humor: hire clowns and playful people. Many large communities have performers and artists who could be invited to bring their specialties to the hospital. Some hospitals might even consider creating space for them, including a well-stocked costume and prop room.

The practice of medicine is hurting at many levels. Patient discontent is so great that many are resorting to lawsuits. Many health care professionals are so dissatisfied that they are quitting or even killing themselves. Few if any happy hospitals exist. Most people hate going to a hospital and have traumatic experiences when they do. Yet, it doesn’t have to be this way if we make great efforts to change it. Service to people in times of pain and suffering should - and can - bring rich fulfillment. Let us call on humor to lend a hand and make medicine fun.

Adams P with Mylander M (1998) Gesundheit!: Bringing Good Health To You, The Medical System, And Society Through Physician Service, Complementary Therapies, Humor And Joy Rochester: Healing Arts Press

B.C. is a professional speaker who teaches Humor Therapy. He may be contacted at: www.worldwidebc.com

Using Humor To Defuse Rage by APA Online

2007-05-12T17:44:00.000-07:00

"Silly humor" can help defuse rage in a number of ways. For one thing, it can help you get a more balanced perspective. When you get angry and call someone a name or refer to them in some imaginative phrase, stop and picture what that word would literally look like.

If you're at work and you think of a coworker as a "dirtbag" or a "single-cell life form," for example, picture a large bag full of dirt (or an amoeba) sitting at your colleague's desk, talking on the phone, going to meetings. Do this whenever a name comes into your head about another person. If you can, draw a picture of what the actual thing might look like. This will take a lot of the edge off your fury; and humor can always be relied on to help unknot a tense situation.

The underlying message of highly angry people, Dr. Deffenbacher says, is "things oughta go my way!" Angry people tend to feel that they are morally right, that any blocking or changing of their plans is an unbearable indignity and that they should NOT have to suffer this way. Maybe other people do, but not them!

When you feel that urge, he suggests, picture yourself as a god or goddess, a supreme ruler, who owns the streets and stores and office space, striding alone and having your way in all situations while others defer to you. The more detail you can get into your imaginary scenes, the more chances you have to realize that maybe you are being unreasonable; you'll also realize how unimportant the things you're angry about really are. There are two cautions in using humor.

First, don't try to just "laugh off" your problems; rather, use humor to help yourself face them more constructively. Second, don't give in to harsh, sarcastic humor; that's just another form of unhealthy anger expression.

What these techniques have in common is a refusal to take yourself too seriously. Anger is a serious emotion, but it's often accompanied by ideas that, if examined, can make you laugh.

© 2007 American Psychological Association750 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242Telephone: 800-374-2721; 202-336-5500. TDD/TTY: 202-336-6123

B.C. is a professional speaker on Humor Therapy. He is a humorologist and has been doing humor therapy for 20+ years.

He may be contacted at: www.worldwidebc.com

Humor Is Strong Stuff it Can Even Help You Lose Weight

2007-05-09T21:06:00.000-07:00

Humor is strong medication. People who laugh hard at least fifteen minutes a day live healthier, happier and longer live. They lose weight too. That's right, humor is a great way to lose weight. consider this article by By Victoria Wesseler

Every once in a while I run across a bit of information that sounds just too good to be true. When I heard that a group of researchers from Vanderbilt University’s Department of Medicine announced that laughing caused people to burn extra calories, I just had to investigate it. I wondered if there could be at least a kernel of truth in their study, which hinted that laughter might be a way to lose weight. After all, studies have shown that laughter, which has been said for years to be good medicine, can enhance the immune system, reduce stress, and keep our hearts healthy. That's all great, but what could it do for my waistline? Could I laugh my way back into my skinny jeans? Before I replaced my hour on the treadmill with an hour of watching my favorite sitcoms, I thought I should investigate the study’s findings.Turns out that the study is real and does, in fact, show that genuine laughter causes an increase in energy expenditure.

The study’s methodology and results were recently printed in the International Journal of Obesity (2007) 31, 131-137. Note the use of the term genuine. The researchers say that fake laughter, such as the giggle you force out at an old joke told for the tenth time by your distant (but not distant enough) relative at a holiday dinner, doesn’t count. To be beneficial, the laughter has to be a sincere, spontaneous laugh.

If you get a chance to read the entire study, you’d probably find it pretty interesting. But I’ll cut to the chase. The bottom line is that during genuine laughter, as compared to a resting state, we expend between 10–20 percent more energy, and our heart rate is increased by the same amount.

The good news is that 15 minutes of laughter can burn between 10–40 calories. The bad news is that it’s just not enough to replace even the lightest daily form of exercise or intense physical activity. But, not to be discouraged, at the end of the study’s results, the researchers note, “This amount [15 minutes per day] of energy expenditure during 1 year with no changes in other components of energy balance, may translate into an annual weight loss [of approximately 1–4 pounds of body weight], if all other components of energy balance remained unchanged.”

I say that beats gaining 1–4 pounds a year!So, we now have scientific proof that laughter is good for our figures. And, as we all know, there are few things better for eliciting hale and hearty belly laughs than time spent with your best female friends. The friendships that we have with close female friends are literally life sustaining. Numerous studies show that people who lack in friendships and are isolated from others die earlier than those who have close friends in whom they can confide and with whom they can share good times.

Yet despite all their value, we have fewer friends than ever before. In June 2006, USA Today noted that 25 percent of all Americans have no close confidants in their lives. Apparently, in the face of demanding schedules and overloaded daily activities, we often place non-relative relationships at the end of our “to do” list.Making a conscious effort to see our friends regularly is important. Whether it’s a monthly brunch, a weekly game night, or a semi-annual “ladies-only weekend at the cabin,” we have to plan and commit to nurturing and investing our time in these relationships.

Every year, I hold an annual “ladies-only” party where I invite my friends and ask them to invite one or two of their friends as guests. Anywhere from 50 to 60 women show up. For 11 years the party theme was chocolate, chocolate, and more chocolate. Guests each brought sinful chocolate desserts to share with each other. In 2005 and 2006, the theme was announced as a “Ladies Only Pajamarama and Cocktail Party.” Tiaras and feather boas were noted on the invitation as optional, but highly encouraged.

My friends did not disappointment me with their attire. I had no idea so many of them owned tiaras and boas. Obviously, they were just waiting for the perfect excuse to wear them in public. Even my neighbor’s female Weimaraner dressed in full party regalia—no one could figure out how that dog kept a tiara on her head and a white feather boa around her neck all night.

Take a few minutes today to think about those wonderful women you are privileged to call your friends. Where would you be without them in your life? They soothe your spirit. They feed your soul. They lift you up as only another person in your life can. They help you through significant life passages. They are there to dry your eyes when you are defeated and applaud you when you succeed.

They understand you better than you understand yourself. They want what’s best for you. They create a safe place to discuss your dreams and fears. They are Lucy to our Ethel; Laverne to our Shirley; Monica to our Rachel. And, maybe best of all, just when you think all is lost, they’re the ones that always give you plenty of reasons to break into a healthy, calorie-burning, genuine laugh!

Victoria Wesseler is a lifestyle, gardening and culinary writer. She is a weekly featured columnist for CDKitchen.com and has been published in Cooking Pleasures, Out Here, Indianapolis DINE magazine, and Indianapolis Monthly HOME Magazine. She has written and produced culinary segments for broadcast on WKYT in Lexington, KY.

You see, laughter is good for your soul and your body. Laugh hard at least fifteen minutes a day and enjoy a stress free life.

B.C. is a professional speaker and humorologist who speaks on Humor Therapy. His website is www.worldwidebc.com