Stress

by Debbie Mandel
Humor is an amazing coping skill for both physical and emotional stressors. Many religions believe that laughter is an expression of a heightened spirituality. Doctors call it free medicine. In spite of the benefits, humor can be difficult to access, for it is personal, linked to age, gender, time-period and culture. Quite often my husband stares at me disapprovingly telling me to stop laughing like the village idiot! However, instead of criticizing or sitting solemnly with our arms folded in front of a performing comedian, we could release our inner child and look for opportunities to laugh, be silly and see the objective wit of the situation. When we laugh at other people’s witty remarks, we accomplish two things: we help them feel good about themselves and release our own stress.
Many funny personalities originate from a darker side or a more deprived background. Laughter helps them to shine and release anxiety. In fact, some children who don’t fit into the school mold or experience difficult issues at home assume center stage in the classroom. They become the class clown trying to assert their individuality as well as reject mainstream values. Many of these young comedians grow up to study ideas and disciplines like those taught in school looking at them inside out and upside down to discover the absurd details many of us don’t see. They have cultivated the habit of looking for the original perspective that is actually anchored in real details. They bring energy, curiosity and spontaneity to all their relationships.
Stress - refers to the body's reaction to the world, to change, both internal and external
Stressed - to subject to physical or mental pressure, tension or strain or to mechanical pressure or force.
Stress out - to subject to or undergo extreme stress, as from working too much.
Chronic fatigue - exhaustion, tiredness, a sense of being physically run down
She's in a stew - She's upset.
He's chicken-hearted - He has no courage.
Don't let him get your goat - Don't let him get you upset.
I've got a lump in my throat - I am emotionally involved and distressed.
You must face the music - Admit your error - solve it and go on.
Keep a stiff upper lip - Keep trying and you can succeed.
What is stress?
What causes stress?
How do you recognize stress in your life?
Have you been under stress recently?
How does stress affect you?
Do you have a kind of red warning flag that indicates too much stress?
When you are stressful, how do you feel physically?
How do you feel emotionally?
Have you ever helped someone that you didn't know?
When can stress be a good thing?
Do you like to argue about different ways to do things at work or at home?
How often do you think you feel too much stress?
In what way does a too full schedule lead to stress?
How can you judge what is the right amount of stress for you?
What do you do when you have stress?
In what kinds of situations do you observe other people feeling stressed?
What are some situations that make you feel stressful?
How can you eliminate stressful situations?
How do you relieve stress?
How do you get control of a stressful situation that is getting too tough?
Do you like to relax or be active when stressful?
Are you capable of relieving your stress or do you need help?
Do you always follow the same pattern to relieve stress or do you try different things?
When was the most stressful time of your life?
Did you learn anything from that experience?