Sherry Nelson, University Outreach and Extension
The phone is ringing, fire alarm’s buzzing, a (difficult and/or angry) client/parent is at the door, the kids control the room, and your Prozac bottle is empty! Or fill in with how your work day or things at home STRESS you out. Stress isn’t good or bad but its handling of us or vise versa, may be. Recently searching the WEB regarding stress and the work place, I found about 75% of the first 50 responses were about humor/jokes. A good indicator of the need for humor! Laughing is healthful and research shows us that laughing relieves tension, dispels anger, helps us cope, promotes rapport, and gives perspective, among other benefits. But humor is only one coping tool we can use in stressful situations. We can do other stress relieving/self-nurturing things to help us come down off the ceiling and get centered. Some ways include reading inspirational sayings/books, using a special mug, brewing special teas, burning candles, making your professional humor survival kit (see below), taking a walk, and reaching for your favorite comfort item(s). Change and self-nurturance are often difficult but we can do it.Remember: 'Just Do It' for you. You're worth it and those around you will benefit too!
"Any little bit of experimenting in self-nurturance is very frightening for most of us." - Julia Cameron |
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Nancy Flood, floodn@missouri.edu Consumer & Family Economics Specialist Putnam County University Outreach and Extension Center Last Update: May 23, 2001 |