Refueling:Sir Laugh-A-Lot

Any one feel a little “stressed-out” lately? What with rising fuel costs, employee challenges, change, changing relationships, financial woes, etc… it’s a wonder we can get to sleep at night.

There has been a mushrooming growth in the stress management industry to help people battle this condition: biofeedback, yoga, stress diets (I find diets only increase my stress!), and a proliferation of reading materials to help us combat this terrible state of “dis-ease” (which if not taken care of turns into actual disease).

Did you know that you have in your very own possession, right at this very moment, one of the most powerful tools to cope with stress? You don’t have to make an appointment to get it or run to the store to purchase it.

All you have to do is exhale several times in the sound of “ha!” and you will be well on your way. Yup, your inborn coping tool is your sense of humor/laughter! Kids laugh over 400 times a day…adults laugh about 17. Whoa!

Laughter reduces levels of certain stress hormones. Stress hormones suppress the immune system (increasing the chance of disease) and raise blood pressure. Researchers estimate that laughing 100 times is equal to 10 minutes on the rowing machine or 15 minutes on an exercise bike. By laughing just 15 minutes a day for one year, you can lose 4 pounds!

Your sense of humor allows you to take charge of tough, stressful situations instead of them taking charge of you!

So go ahead, rent a comdedy, check out a joke book from your library, surf the net for jokes, and laugh your stress and pounds away!

Here’s some one-liners from new paper announcements and office signs to get ya started:

* Ladies, don’t forget the rummage sale. It’s a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Don’t forget your husbands”.

* The peacemaking meeting scheduled for today has been canceled due to a conflict.

* Plumbers sign: We repair what your husband fixed

* Plumbers sign: Don’t sleep with a drip. Call your plumber.

* The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespear’s “Hamlet” in the auditorium on Friday at 7:00PM The community is invited to attend this tragedy.

* Laundromat sign: Automatic washing machines. Please remove all your clothes when the light goes out.

May you find peace in your day, joy in your heart, and laughter on your lips.