By Kathleen Passanisi. Kathleen Passanisi PT, CSP, CPAE is an internationally recognized transformational speaker, therapeutic humor expert, healthcare professional and author. She has spoken to bajillions of people about life balance, wellness, the power of perception, and the link that exists between humor and health. Kathleen is a member of the National Speakers Association Hall of Fame and the funniest woman in Lake Saint Louis, Missouri (and, quite possibly, the Western Hemisphere.) For more information on Kathleen's presentations, books and products please visit the New Perspectives website at www.KathleenPassanisi.com

Eighteen to 22 minutes: the approximate length of a TV sitcom without commercials, the frequency cars get stolen in Ohio, and the estimated length of the average American doctor’s appointment.

Most sitcom residents have only one issue to deal with in this amount of time, and the odds are comically stacked in their favor. Most even have a friendly laugh track for encouragement. You, on the other hand, have pains, a chaffing, unflattering paper gown, an ever-deepening hole in your wallet, and a highly trained professional with somewhere else to be.

In this land of ticking clocks and premium co-pays, we are losing sight of the end-goal: wellness. Although you cannot control the time you are given, you do have options when it comes to managing that time. Whether or not you’ll leave with your health problems revealed and remedied is anyone’s guess.

However, using these simple techniques will guarantee a less stressful, more productive and satisfying visit. So sit back and try to relax, “the doctor will be in to see you shortly.”

• Be prepared. Do your homework! Know what is involved in your particular visit. The more the doctor has to stop to explain procedures to you, the less time you have to discuss why you’re actually there. The same goes for your family’s medical history. Don’t prattle off a laundry list, but do know the key factors. Being able to discuss them in a succinct, matter of fact manner will save lots of page turning and chart-consulting time. Try rehearsing this during the seemingly inevitable hours of waiting in waiting rooms. It beats reading an ancient issue of New Mother when your kids are teenagers. Keep a health journal. Log when new symptoms appear, and when they worsen, change, or disappear. It takes the guess work out of the famous question, “Now how long has this been going on?”

• Be specific. Apply the time-saving principles of a grocery list to your symptoms: write them out, circle the big ones, and reference it frequently. This will keep you on task. If you (or WebMD) have convinced yourself you have a particular condition, bring reference materials with you. Highlight the important parts. Don’t forget a list of your current prescriptions and their doses including vitamins, herbal remedies, and anything else “over the counter.” 
• Be direct. This is a two-way street. Answer questions honestly, even if they embarrass you. Demand the same candor of your doctor. People often complain their doctors talk down to them or try to over-simplify their speech. You simply do not have time for communication disconnects. Ask questions and continue to ask them until you get a simple, direct answer.
• Be persistent. Everyone has disagreed with a diagnosis before. Yet, most people take the prescription paper and go on their not so merry way. Save yourself the stress and expense of a follow up visit by getting things right the first time. You would send a sandwich back if it wasn’t what you ordered, why not do the same for your health? If you disagree, disagree openly. Do not be pushed aside (just don’t throw a fit, either.)
• Be kind. The time crunch cannot be easy on your doctors either. Put yourself in their shoes, too. Your doctors want you to get well. That is their purpose. You, in turn, can at least be nice. You do not need to ask after the well-being of their entire families (which will eat up all your time), but a simple kindness goes a long way. Try to speak calmly, and if nothing else, make your mother proud and say “please” and “thank you.” 

Don’t forget to apply these tips to your recovery process.

Be prepared to dedicate the necessary time and resources to getting well. Be specific with your family, friends, bosses and co-workers about your needs. Be direct and honest with yourself about how well you are feeling. Be persistent in your follow up routine and carry it over into a daily wellness habit. Take the professional advice you were given – after all, you paid for it!

​And finally, be kind to yourself. Surround yourself with things that make you happy. Laugh as much as you can. Give yourself the time and space needed to recover. And, by all means, “get well soon.”

Looking for your next healthcare speaker? Get in touch with us at the Capitol City Speakers Bureau today to make your healthcare event a success!

By Kathleen Passanisi. Kathleen Passanisi PT, CSP, CPAE is an internationally recognized transformational speaker, therapeutic humor expert, healthcare professional and author. She has spoken to bajillions of people about life balance, wellness, the power of perception, and the link that exists between humor and health. Kathleen is a member of the National Speakers Association Hall of Fame and the funniest woman in Lake Saint Louis, Missouri (and, quite possibly, the Western Hemisphere.) For more information on Kathleen's presentations, books and products please visit the New Perspectives website at www.KathleenPassanisi.com

You’ve seen it in a hundred movies: The girl, face streaming with tears, surrounded by wads of tissues, creates a bonfire out of pictures of her ex and dives head-first into a pint of Ben and Jerry’s, box of donuts or super-sized bag of cheese puffs.

This eating and crying routine has become the post-breakup standard in modern media. Between sitcoms, movies, Lifetime, WE, and Oxygen, you can probably find this scene on TV at all times. Usually, in the next scene, the crying has moved onto a stationary bike or jog with a friend where our heroine laments not only the fact that her dream man is married, but that she ate an entire box of Ho-Ho’s.

It’s no surprise to American women that food is an antidote to sadness, stress, disappointment, frustration, etc. Why else would the term “comfort food” exist? But, recent studies are showing a much more common cause of over-eating for both women and men, boredom.

Consider a scenario from your life. You’re home alone or with your everyday companions. You flip channels until you find something that’s just engaging enough to keep you awake. How many trips to the refrigerator do you then make? Do you hit the pizza place phone number you have on speed dial? When you finally choose to do something productive, is there a telltale trail of snack leftovers between you and the TV?

If not, you may stop reading now. Pat yourself on the back and go do three hours of spinning or whatever it is you perfect people do for fun. But, if so, resist the urge to wallow amongst your candy bar wrappers. Feeling blue will only enhance the problem (see paragraph one.) Wellness relies on being proactive, even if you don’t want to leave your couch.

What is boredom? 
Overeater’s Anonymous will tell you that the first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem. Your particular problem is not that you are hungry. You are bored. But what is boredom? Boredom is the brain’s reaction to perceived monotony. Much like fatigue, it is involuntary and affects some people more suddenly and severely than others. In a bored state, the brain basically shifts into auto-pilot. Stresses and high emotions flat line, details blur, your attention wanes. You find yourself asking “What did I come in here after?” or “What did he just say?” Much like insomnia, you’re not really awake, but you are not asleep either. To break out of this boredom rut, people seek sleep or, more often, instant gratification.

Here’s an easy riddle. What’s readily accessible, inexpensive, somewhat comforting, and requires no effort? Junk food, of course! And the odds of avoiding it are against you. Studies at the Beth Israel Methadone clinic found that boredom is a key factor in whether drug addicts will relapse. If it can bring someone back to drugs, it can surely bring you back to the freezer! So what can you do?

On ambitious days:
If you’re feeling up to leaving the magical Land of Couch, do so! Many people associate food with home and/or privacy, so leave your comfort zone. Seek out places and activities that don’t have a built in lazy or snack-filled component. Ballpark hotdogs, and movie theatre popcorn are not your best bets. Exercise your mind and body, instead of your jaw.

1. Stimulate your brain. Most museums and libraries don’t allow food inside, so there is no risk of snacking. If modern art or literature isn’t your style, mall walk and window-shop. Rather than thinking about food, it will engage your attention and the cool new styles will be motivating.
2. Activate your body. It is completely impossible to eat chicken nuggets while running. (Please don’t try that.) If treadmills bore you, run outside. If it’s rainy or you just hate running, sign up for a group class. Yoga if you want to be serenely snack-free, and ballroom dancing if you’d like to slim down expressively.
3. Engage your social side. Seek out friends and companions. Avoid meeting at restaurants to banter and binge. Take turns recommending activities that get you moving, and laugh as often as you can. It's aerobic!

On lazier days:
If the Land of Couch is just too enticing (or there is a Law and Order marathon on TV), staying in may be irresistible. Do not let that defeat you. There are plenty of ways to fight the big blue boredom monster.

1. Vary your routine. Simply changing channels does not count. Do not let yourself become accustomed to anything. Change your position on the couch. Alternate between different styles of music. Find an activity you can do on effortlessly other than eat. Read a book, paint your nails, write in a journal. If you’re a video game fan, get moving with physical games like Wii tennis or RockBand. 
2. Look on the bright side. According to psychology researcher John D. Eastwood, “Rather than fighting boredom we would do well to pause and learn from the experience.” Ask yourself why you are bored and how often it happens. Look for patterns. Once these questions are addressed, boredom can motivate action or deep contemplative thought. It also may be signaling areas in your life that are under-stimulating and therefore need change. Is your job too simple? Are you spending too much time alone? Is there something out in the world you’re using TV to avoid?
3. Allow yourself a little. Portion control is your new best ally. If the pizza-panic strikes, it’s OK to give in once in a while. Be mindful of when and what you are eating. Take time to savor each bite. That way, you won’t be staring at an empty pizza box wondering where it all went. Do not eat snacks directly from their containers. Measure out a small plate of chips and put away the rest rather than eating from the bag on the couch. Set limits and stick to them. Also, clean up the evidence. Keeping trash and leftovers around is both unsanitary and discouraging. Train yourself to clean up as you go along. This way, you’ll be more aware of how much you’ve had before it is too late. 

Bottom line: To combat boredom, enjoy life’s pleasures in small doses. To combat overeating, enjoy your food in small portions. Good things, as we all know, come in small packages anyhow. Enjoy!

Looking for your next healthcare speaker? Get in touch with us at the Capitol City Speakers Bureau today to make your healthcare event a success!

By Kathleen Passanisi. Kathleen Passanisi PT, CSP, CPAE is an internationally recognized transformational speaker, therapeutic humor expert, healthcare professional and author. She has spoken to bajillions of people about life balance, wellness, the power of perception, and the link that exists between humor and health. Kathleen is a member of the National Speakers Association Hall of Fame and the funniest woman in Lake Saint Louis, Missouri (and, quite possibly, the Western Hemisphere.) For more information on Kathleen's presentations, books and products please visit the New Perspectives website at www.KathleenPassanisi.com

As I travel around the country, I'm saddened to hear the same highly-charged, negative comments repeated over and over...

We're stuck in Iraq, our military is suffering, heathcare costs are off the charts, and the number of uninsured people is increasing at an alarming rate.? We're expecting more terrorist attacks, the jobless rate is lousy. Etc. Etc.

When I question people about this, they usually respond with, "there's nothing I can do about it." Really? I disagree.

I think we need to get cracking on getting our heads turned around. Let's start putting our energy into what we want instead of what we don't want. Let's use the real power of changing the collective consciousness.

I think we can agree on wanting most of the same things: peace, security, decent wages and healthcare for every world citizen.

My hope is that you'll take a few minutes to sit quietly, close your eyes, and visualize the best possible outcomes for everyone involved.

I think of that phrase "in a perfect world" and imagine what that would be. Visualize clearly and specifically.

Then tap into the emotions you'll be feeling when what you desire comes to pass. It's that mental picture plus emotion combination that's so powerful. If enough of us work on this, we can make a difference.

​And, no, it's not mumbo-jumbo or "new age". It's ageless. Why not give it a try--for all our sakes.

Looking for your next healthcare speaker? Get in touch with us at the Capitol City Speakers Bureau today to make your healthcare event a success!

By Kathleen Passanisi. Kathleen Passanisi PT, CSP, CPAE is an internationally recognized transformational speaker, therapeutic humor expert, healthcare professional and author. She has spoken to bajillions of people about life balance, wellness, the power of perception, and the link that exists between humor and health. Kathleen is a member of the National Speakers Association Hall of Fame and the funniest woman in Lake Saint Louis, Missouri (and, quite possibly, the Western Hemisphere.) For more information on Kathleen's presentations, books and products please visit the New Perspectives website at www.KathleenPassanisi.com

It’s been called the “idiot box.” It’s been called “the greatest single invention of the 20th century.”

Either way, to say that television is a huge part of daily American life is to state the overwhelmingly obvious. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, “American children and adolescents spend 22 to 28 hours per week viewing television, more than any other activity except sleeping. By the age of 70 they will have spent 7 to 10 years of their lives watching TV.” The effects of sleep on mind and body have been well documented.

But what comes of all this “tube time?”

How does television affect the mind?
In order to understand how television effects our health, we must first understand how it affects the mind. Several studies have shown that the longer one watches television, the easier it is for their mind to slip into “Alpha state.” Here, the brain’s waves are slow and steady. This hypnotic trace-like state is the brain’s most receptive mode. Images and suggestions have maximum impact in this mode. Why else would advertisers spend up to one billion dollars per year on television advertising? But what about what’s between the commercials?

Does negative television reap negative results?
Unfortunately, it can.Since the late 1990s, violence on television has been a hot topic of conversation. Countless acts of violence have been blamed on violence in the media. The shooting at Columbine High School, for example, was widely speculated to be caused in part by repeated viewing of “The Basketball Diaries,” starring Leonardo DiCaprio. Could this be linked to a core theory of the Law of Attraction, “what you focus on expands?”

Although these theories cannot be proven, it has been shown that watching violent television activates the body and mind’s “fight or flight” response. Since the body knows that the threat is not real, it then suppresses the stress. This rotation of impulse and suppression has been linked to feelings of panicked confusion, resulting in actions similar to childhood hyperactivity. And it isn’t just Primetime drama that affects the mind.

RAND, a research institute, found that of 560 Americans interviewed, 44% experienced multiple stress symptoms after watching coverage of the 9/11 tragedy on television. Ninety percent experienced at least one symptom! Furthermore, children exposed to the coverage were twice as likely to develop post traumatic stress syndrome, according to Harold S. Kipelwicz, M.D., Director of the NYU Child Study Center. Is there a flipside?

Does humorous television reap positive results?
Fortunately, yes! Although the effects of positive effects on television have not been widely reported, the effects of educational programming on children are astounding. According to the Child Health Institute, educational programming “is successful in broadening young children’s knowledge, affecting their racial attitudes and increasing their imaginations.”

Do these effects fade with age? Thankfully, new research about the effect of humorous movies seem to disprove this. Dr. Michael Miller of the University of Maryland Medical Center studied the health effects of two movies, quirky comedy Kingpin and war epic Saving Private Ryan. Researchers used ultrasound technology to monitor study subjects’ arterial blood flow. While watching Saving Private Ryan, fourteen out of twenty subjects experienced reduced blood flow on an average of 35%. However, in nineteen out of the twenty subjects who watched the comedy Kingpin, blood flow increased an average of 22%, an amount Miller equated to aerobic exercise! Even more proof that laughter really is the best medicine!

Similarly, a study by Lee Berk of Loma Linda University found that even the anticipation of a funny movie raises levels of immune boosters in the blood. According to the study, people waiting to watch a favorite funny movie had 27% more beta-endorphins (a natural pain reducer) and 87% more human growth hormone in their bloodstream than the control group. Berk also found that the actual viewing of one hour of a humorous movie (and its subsequent laughter) reduced the body’s production of stress hormones and enhanced immune response for up to one day.

What is the bottom line for you?
Clearly, there is a fine line to be walked. Hours upon hours of television or movie watching of any kind will create the same mind-numbing effects. Moderation is the key!

Then, choose wisely. A simple change of the channel can have profound effects on your mind, mood, and health. Next time, when you’re flipping channels, take a minute to remember that “what you focus on expands.” What do you wish to bring into your life?

Perhaps the greatest truth about television comes from television itself. According to the hit 1970s comedy Taxi, “The great thing about television is that if something important happens anywhere in the world, day or night, you can always change the channel.” Choose to laugh, you’ll thank yourself for it. Happy viewing!

Looking for your next healthcare speaker? Get in touch with us at the Capitol City Speakers Bureau today to make your healthcare event a success!

By Kathleen Passanisi. Kathleen Passanisi PT, CSP, CPAE is an internationally recognized transformational speaker, therapeutic humor expert, healthcare professional and author. She has spoken to bajillions of people about life balance, wellness, the power of perception, and the link that exists between humor and health. Kathleen is a member of the National Speakers Association Hall of Fame and the funniest woman in Lake Saint Louis, Missouri (and, quite possibly, the Western Hemisphere.) For more information on Kathleen's presentations, books, and products, please visit the New Perspectives website at www.KathleenPassanisi.com.

In the last hour, have you felt compelled to answer yet another call on your cell phone or blackberry? Has an angry boss or spouse yanked on your last nerve? Has the television, newspaper, radio, or internet bombarded you with bad news? Have you had problems communicating with your family, friends, or co-workers due to irritability or frustration? Have you suffered from muscular tension, stomach acidity or lack of focus?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you may be “biochemically challenged,” and you are not alone.

According to the Families and Work Institute, four our of ten workers are experiencing burnout on any given day. The stress of daily living seems to be ever-increasing and its effects on work and home life are daunting:

• Stress costs American companies 300 billion dollars annually (Families and Work Institute).
• Approximately 18.8 million adults in America suffer from depressive disorders every year. That's almost 10% of the US population over the age of eighteen (National Institute of Mental Health). 
• Several studies attest that stress increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.
• Communication failures and subsequent familial strain was the second most common cause of divorce in 2006 at 21.6% (Divorce Magazine.)

Clearly, we need to learn to deal with stress before it deals with us. The rising costs of health coverage alone are enough to put you on edge. Boost your benefits by using a tool that's powerful, efficient, and (best of all) free – your sense of humor!

The Physical Benefits of Laughter 
Stress plays a major part in health issues such as headaches, high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, asthma, arthritis and other muscular and skeletal conditions. In fact, over 75% of all doctor visits involve stress related illnesses. In the past year, over 43% of the American population has suffered the physical effects of stress (American Psychological Association). The phrase “worried sick” is common in our society for a reason! However, the physical act of laughter has been shown to:
 

• improve cardiovascular function (U. of Maryland Center for Preventive Cardiology)
• relax muscular tension
• exercise the internal organs
• elevate mood
• improve pain tolerance 

The Psychological Benefits of Humor
As William Shakespeare said, “For there is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so. ” (Hamlet 2.2). The most crucial thing to focus on when working to reduce daily stress is one's perspective.

Consider the words of Greek philosopher Epictetus (55 – 135 AD), “People are disturbed not by things, but by their perception of things.” Almost two thousand years later, the opinion of modern mental health professionals is consistent with this sentiment. It is not the events of our daily lives that cause our stresses, but the meanings we assign to them. However, humor naturally shifts perspective.

When you learn to shorten the time it takes to shift your perception, you will have mastered one of the most effective stress management techniques. Humor's benefits include: 

• reduction of anxiety, stress, and tension 
• abatement of anger and hostility
• support of psychological well-being/enhance mood 
• heightened sense of general well-being/empowerment/self-esteem
• improved interpersonal relationships

The Social Benefits of Shared Laughter and Mirth
Laughter shortens the distance between people. It is the ultimate bonding tool during high stress situations, assuring all involved that a positive outcome is possible.

Humorous conversation facilitates an increase in eye-contact and inter-personal touch and opens doors for future communication. Sharing one's own sense of humor shows that he or she is approachable - and human! Laughter or the sharing of common experiences can reduce friction among team members.

Colleagues that can laugh together enjoy:

• more finely tuned coping skills
• increased job satisfaction
• better productivity
• enhanced creativity
• higher morale

Remember: laugh “with” others and not “at” them!

You Cannot Lose!
What else can guarantee such improvements in your daily life – and at no cost? In today's pressure-ridden world, it is imperative to remember that, although stress is inevitable, suffering is optional. Take charge of your life and rid yourself of the biochemical roller coaster by incorporating a few of these easy tips!

1. Start every day with humor. Read the comics before anything. Clip and save your favorites for days when you are in a rush, or to share with family, co-workers, clients, etc.
2. Invest in funny audio books and comedic musicians. Laugh your way through long transit times.
3. Take mini ha-ha breaks during the day. Share a laugh with someone you encounter.
4. Show off your sense of humor however possible. Decorate your workspace with things that make you laugh. Seek out note pads, mouse pads, coffee mugs, etc. with a lighter side. 
5. Start a joke file or humor library including personal stories. Keep it clean and practice sharing bits of it. This will enhance your interpersonal skills and pep up a boring presentation or meeting!
6. Socialize with people that laugh a lot. Avoid grouches at all costs. 
7. Make Sunday “Funday.” Avoid techno-stress by turning off all electronic devices. See if you can go a day without email, text messaging, the Internet, or using your cell phone. 
8. Embrace an attitude of appreciation- especially for things that tickle your funny bone.

Looking for your next healthcare speaker? Get in touch with us at the Capitol City Speakers Bureau today to make your healthcare event a success!

By Kathleen Passanisi

In the most famous attic of all time, Anne Frank wrote, “We all live with the objective of being happy; our lives are all different and yet the same.”

And in his very first speech as President, Franklin Delano Roosevelt assured a depression-crippled nation, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”

Now, decades later, the study of “Positive Psychology” has shown us that these famous quotes are not only timeless, they are connected.

In his book, What Happy People Know, Dan Baker, Ph.D., reveals that fear is the mortal enemy of happiness. He explains humans have only two primal emotions: love and fear. According to Baker, “Fear impels us to survive, and love enables us to thrive.”

Unfortunately, in a “fight or flight” world, it’s impossible to focus on the joy of your accomplishments or love from those around you. It is clear that fear must be overcome.

Why We Fear  
Overcoming is not an easy task, as fear is a hard-wired evolutionary response. As Baker points out, fear is an impulse rooted in the simplest of all brain parts, the “reptilian” brain stem. The ability to fear evolved over 100 million years ago! What separates our fears from those of a lizard is that our fears are generally coupled with emotion. This coupling takes place in the amygdala, or “mammalian brain.”

The amygdala is the basic home of memory. It is precisely why some adults never outgrow their childhood fears. The amygdala stores them for easy recall. The mammalian brain also triggers the physical side of fear. It signals the release of stress hormones in the brain, which, in turn, raise blood pressure and heart rate and cause queasiness and the jitters.

At one point, this three part fear response was what kept humans alive. First, the danger would approach, the human would recognize it as such, and then the brain would kick the human into “high gear.” Nowadays, however, the root of our fears are rarely physical dangers. There are very few hungry lions in our midst. So why do we have the same type of response?

What We Fear
Baker divides all modern fear in two categories, the “fear of not having enough” and the “fear of not being enough.” At the root of both fears is the myth of scarcity. Dr. Michael Beckwith, featured in the recent self-help phenomenon The Secret, attributes all human suffering to the idea that there is not enough good to go around.

Many people believe there is not enough money, not enough love, not enough oxygen for everyone. Every day, therefore, is a struggle. When we don’t get what we want, we blame some flaw in ourselves, “If only I were smarter, I would make more money. If only I were cuter, somebody might love me.”

This constant self-berating causes a deep sadness in many of us which triggers a terrible cycle. We begin to feel we are unworthy of happiness. Because we are sad, we cling to the little happiness we already have. Because we feel unworthy, we fear the loss of these joys. These fears trigger negative actions.

Believers of the law of attraction and quantum physics will assure you “what you focus on expands.” Soon you’ve created a self-fulfilling prophecy. Imagined loss reaps real loss. Happiness becomes something we futilely chase for instead of something we readily enjoy.
​
Fighting Fear with Gratitude
Baker assures us that the antidote to fear is gratitude. Instead of dwelling on what we don’t have and/or what we have to lose, we need to focus on what we do have. This will gradually create a shift in perspective that will reap large rewards.

In his book Happier, Harvard Professor Tal Ben-Shahar, Ph.D. recommends keeping a gratitude journal. He cites a study by Robert Emmons and Michael McCullough which found that people who wrote down five reasons to be grateful daily experienced better physical and mental well-being.

Most psychiatrists will tell you that overcoming fear is a gradual process, best started in small doses. You can’t get much smaller than five things per day! Evolution has set this up as a fail-safe plan. All appreciation is based on love, and love is a product of the neo-cortex, the most evolved brain part. The reptilian fear doesn’t stand a chance!

Start focusing on what you appreciate today, and a brighter, happier tomorrow is yours.

Looking for your next healthcare speaker? Get in touch with us today to make your healthcare event a success!