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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
The faces and forms of the American fitness revolution have changed a lot in the last twenty years. Long before Tae-bo, spinning, or Bikram yoga dominated the workout world, step aerobics, calisthenics, and inline skating were hotter than Jane Fonda’s spandex fashions. The last twenty years also saw the rise and fall and redemption of Dr. Atkins, the cooling off of the South Beach Diet, and the sour resurgence of the Grapefruit Diet. Similarly, the last two decades have seen radical changes in pop music. Punk died, grunge faded, and the Macarena got really old really fast. Boy bands faded away into power ballad pumping solo careers. Music stars got reality shows. Reality stars released albums. And yet, through all this change, one fitness fad stood the test of time and has the results to prove it – Richard Simmons' literally timeless classic, “Sweatin’ to the Oldies.” With three million copies sold, “Sweatin’ to the Oldies” raises the question: what does Richard Simmons have that is so irresistible? It certainly isn’t those short shorts of his. The answer is a magical ingredient he tapped into long before the rest of us – the music! Now, twenty years later, science is proving his method. More gain with less pain! Studies by the Department of Kinesiology at Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania and the Department of Physical Education and Sport Science at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota have proven the multiple effects of music on exercise. These results were proven on the well and sick alike – and the news is very encouraging. In the first study, ten physically fit men listened to music while running on a treadmill. They exhibited healthier blood pressure, heart rate, and general comfort than when they ran without music. Their perceived effort was also dramatically reduced by the music. The scientists also tested twenty-four patients with moderate-to-severe COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.) All study subjects were told to walk at their own pace for twenty to forty-five minutes up to five times a week. All were given pedometers and twelve were given portable tape players to walk with. The walkers with music experienced a significant decrease in dyspnea (painful, short breathing) which allowed and encouraged them to walk further distances than the other group. No matter which group you are in, you can reap the benefit of adding a little pleasure. More gain with less pain! The better the beat, the bigger the bonus! The biggest part of Richard Simmons’ secret is that music is a major muscle motivator. And here’s the rest (also backed up by science, of course). There’s a reason he chose “Great Balls of Fire” and “Peggy Sue.” According to WebMD Medical News, new research now proves that listening to up-tempo music can increase the intensity and speed of your workout. Test volunteers, all in good health, were given a mix tape. They were instructed to cycle on a stationary bike for sixty minutes and listen to the full tape. The study showed that as the music’s tempo increased, the exercisers pedaled faster. Heart rate and power output also increased as the beats quickened. Like Michael Jackson always said, it’s “Easy as 1,2,3” Banish the idea of a painful, boring workout. The road to wellness can be fun and stress-relieving. So grab your Walkman, Discman, or iPod and get moving! Remember:
Wait, there’s more! Around the time my daughter learned algebra, research revealed that music is good for your mind. Enya CDs popped up in classrooms; quiet study time now had a Vivaldi overtone. So approach this science like an algebra problem: if music is good for your brain, and music is good for your body, can it exercise both at the same time? According to a research team at Ohio State University, “yes!” Thirty-three patients at a cardiac rehabilitation center were given a tape of Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons” to listen to while running. Shortly after, they were given a test on verbal ability. A few days later, this pattern was repeated without the music. The results were astounding. During the trial with music, the runners experienced healthier heart rates and blood pressure – a major benefit for people with cardiac issues. They also scored higher on their verbal tests that day. Not only does involving music make you healthier, it makes you smarter as well. Now that’s what I call having your (low-fat low-carb) cake, and eating it too! 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!
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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.
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.
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
If you are reading this, congratulations. You are probably pretty exceptional. Either your voracious love for the written word has brought you to this small undertaking, or you are being forced by such a person to learn a thing or two. One in four Americans read no books at all last year according to a recent Associated Press poll. Forty-two million American adults cannot read at all. So, congratulations again, on either your love of reading or willingness to try. The physical, emotional, and mental benefits last a lifetime – and you'll most likely have some fun in the process. So snuggle into your favorite reading spot, fish out your special reading glasses (if applicable), and grab a healthy snack. Your life-long relationship with reading (even if it's a little rocky right now) will most likely be one of the most rewarding in your life. The benefits of reading to/as a child: Reading with a child benefits the child's life in and out of the classroom for the rest of his life. Early exposure to books helps assure the child's grasp of phonics, vocabulary, and oral comprehension. Reading to infants has even been shown to increase phonemic awareness, the ability to play with sounds, a major precursor in learning to speak. Children who are frequently read to have broader, more detailed imaginations, longer concentration, and a better grasp on the world around them. Children who engage in picture books often have higher appreciation for visual art later in life. And, perhaps most importantly, reading to a child can create a mutual lifelong bond, and it's practically effortless! For detailed tips on reading to children from infants to age four, please visit www.childliteracy.com. The benefits of reading as a pre-teen, teen, and twenty-something: Many students read only because they have to. Little do they know, however, that somewhere between Napoleon and Jane Eyre they are building valuable life skills. Avid readers score higher on standardized tests, which can open hundreds of academic and occupational doors. But reading can also offer something more immediately important: an escape. At an age when cruelty is a common hobby, reading can transport the bullied to an entirely new world. There they can find hope for the future and relate to characters that share their plight. Between The Great Gatsby and To Kill a Mockingbird, high school literature curriculum cleverly addresses a whole host of adolescent problems. Re-discovering these books in your twenties (when no essay word count hangs over your head) can be a bittersweet reminder of where you've been and where you'd still like to go. It also constantly improves your vocabulary – a trait many look for in potential mates. Reading shows a continued interest in world events and a constant thirst for knowledge – and many people in their twenties find that very attractive. Just make sure you choose wisely. Kerouac and Salinger show your intellectually adventurous side. Shakespeare and Plath show you have emotional issues you aren't afraid to work through. And US Weekly gives the impression you are probably just looking at the fashion photos. The benefits of reading as an adult: Once the era of the classroom is long behind you, the benefits of continued reading come into play in the boardroom. The well-read are considered "experts" in many occupational fields. Even if you're feeling far from the best and the brightest, reading any genre can help break creative slumps. Books can also help clarify complex subjects and spark valuable discussions. Reading can change your home life, too! The physical act of reading can send the mind into a meditative state, which can relieve life's daily stresses. How often have you nodded off in the middle of a good book only to wake up feeling deeply rested a few hours later? And once you've picked up some valuable life tools, reading can also help you live better – longer. Reading exercises the brain in a way that has been shown to help prevent or delay Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. A little more inspiration: The average paperback book costs less than a movie ticket and entertains an average of five times longer. Books are easily transportable (unless they are one of the later Harry Potters) so you can learn and enjoy almost anywhere. Books require no fancy devices like TiVo. You can read whenever you like, for as long or as little as you would like. It's all on your terms. And a library card is free! No other life-transforming, boredom-erasing, imagination-expanding device is so easily accessible. It really is that simple. Your life will become more extraordinary with every page you read. Just ask the queen of fanciful literature, J.K. Rowling. When given the task of sending the 2008 Harvard graduates out into the world, she issued this warning, ""I think the willfully unimaginative see more monsters. They are often more afraid." Pick up a book and get carried away. No matter where you wind up, you'll be better off than the one in four American adults who didn't even try. 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
If you'd like to deny the quickly approaching end of summer, don't check your mail. Keep your television off at all times. Stealthily extract and hide the advertising insert of your local newspaper. But, if you're like most of us, it's too late. You already know which anti-summer culprit is lurking in the shadows en masse: school supplies. Pencils, colored pencils, markers, highlighters, ballpoint pens – the writing is on the wall. The time for play is over; it is once again time to learn. But what if you aren't heading back to school? Once you've received your diploma, certificate, or plaque are you exempt from all future cramming? Don't the tests come more frequently now that you're behind a different grown-up-sized desk? Enroll yourself in a new kind of class: Stuff You Already Know, But Don't Know It. You are the teacher. Here is your syllabus: Lesson One: Learn From Your Mistakes No doubt you've heard this one a million times, but now is your chance to put it into practice. The first step, and the hardest step, is admitting you made a mistake. We are so quick to blame circumstances, our co-workers, or chance for our missteps. And it's all because mistakes are scary! The threat of punishment or embarrassment looms over us. Have the courage to own up to your error, even if it's only privately. Only then can you dissect what went wrong and move forward. Treat it like a math problem. Break it down into non-emotional chunks. Tackle one at a time. What is the immediate lesson to learn? Is this mistake part of a bigger pattern? What can you do today to take a step in a better direction? Pop Quiz: Choose a mistake you quickly blamed on someone else. What made you afraid enough to immediately shirk responsibility? Why did you blame whom you did? What lesson or experience did you deny yourself by doing so? Gold Star: Pat yourself on the back. The only people that make mistakes are those who are willing to take risks. Give yourself a Gold Star for Bravery! Lesson Two: Learn from your Successes This sounds easier already, but that may not be the case. Often after a success, relief and joy run away with our minds. Moments later, we find ourselves thinking, "Wait, how did I do that?" Or, we cut our celebrating too short and bury ourselves in the next issue. Journaling throughout a process is a great way to document the road to success. Be specific! What were your concerns along the way and how did you handle them? What were the high points and low points? Did you have help or were you wandering solo? And, once you achieve your goal, relish that feeling. The Law of Attraction tells us "what you focus on expands." The most successful people in the world consider no other option but constant success. Allow yourself to think like a mega-millionaire. Move forward with confidence in your abilities and joyful hope that the next project will be even more rewarding. Pop Quiz: What was your biggest recent success? Did it over-shadow any smaller victories? Focus on the feelings of "success," both large and small. Journal the sensations and thoughts you experience. Save them for a time when you aren't feeling as strong. Gold Star: High-five! Not only did you succeed in the first place, you didn't stop there. You have the ambition and you are not afraid to use it. Give yourself a Gold Star for Confidence! Lesson Three: Learn from your Competitors According to BusinessWeek, a great way to get a leg-up on the competition is to study your competition. Charlie Fewell of Charlie Fewell and Associates writes that "the quickest way to learn how to be successful is to check the playbook of your competitors." In the Super Bowl we would (and recently have) called that cheating, but in the everyday world, it's research! Fewell offers the following tips on how to study your rivals: identify them and their level of success, analyze their website and marketing materials, mingle with them at conferences and social gatherings, and note their community visibility. Fewell intended this plan for people who strive to be business owners, but it's just as applicable for stay-at-home moms. Jealous of the June Cleaver clone next door? Read her blog and steal her tips. Join her book club or invite her to your BBQ. If this all feels too sneaky for you, you can consult the ultimate text on this subject, Stephen R. Covey's classic The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. Pop Quiz: Who is your main competitor in business and in life? What admirable qualities do they exemplify for you? What are they lacking? What unique strengths can you use to improve upon their model? Gold Star: Two thumbs up! Going against the Big Bad Wolf (or your next door neighbor) requires cleverness, diplomacy, and stealth. Do you feel a little like Nancy Drew? Give yourself a Gold Star for Ingenuity! Lesson Four: Learn From Your Friends Swapping stories, celebrating achievements, being a shoulder to cry on. These are all coping mechanisms you probably use with your friends. Friends bond over shared experiences. They often face the same challenges and share the same fears. Look at your social circle like a team. If one of you wins, you all win, and if one of you fails, you all stop and consider the best ways to move forward. Be a supportive, helping hand and you'll find you have several when you need them. How can your past mistakes move you all in a better direction? What can a friend's recent triumph teach you? Pop Quiz: What struggle do you share with your best friend? How do they handle it differently and to what level of success? Where do you see eye to eye and where do you strongly disagree? What qualities do you most admire in them? Gold Star: Group hug! If you're able to learn from your friends, which must mean you have them. You are a kind, honest, and loyal person. You understand the value of friendship and work hard to maintain it. Give yourself a Gold Star for Congeniality! 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:
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:
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:
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:
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 Passinisi. Kathleen Passanisi, PT, CSP, CPAE is an internationally recognized professional speaker, therapeutic humor expert, healthcare professional, and author. A proud member of the NSA Speaker Hall of Fame, she has spoken to bazillions of people about life balance, wellness, the power of perception, women’s issues, and the link that exists between humor and health. For more information on Kathleen’s presentations, books, SPARK magazine and products, please visit the New Perspectives website at www.kathleenpassanisi.com.
Ladies, pat yourselves on the back. Due to increased funding, press and prevention education, breast cancer deaths are declining! But, before you get too comfortable, Ladies, check the latest statistics on the cardiovascular status of women. They're enough to give you palpitations! Did you know that cardiovascular disease will kill more females this year than all forms of cancer combined? Long perceived as a "male disease," cardiovascular disease, which includes heart attacks and strokes, is the main cause of death for American women. According to the American Heart Association, one in ten American women ages 45- 64 has some form of heart disease. After 65, this leaps to one in five! How does this happen? Consider these startling statistics: • 79% of women polled knew how much they weighed in high school, yet less than 30% knew any of their current cholesterol numbers (Society for Women's Health Research.) • 25% of all women have dangerously high cholesterol (American Heart Association.) • Women make up 62.6% of all heart disease related deaths each year, but comprise only 25% of all heart health related research studies (According to the National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease.) Fortunately, there is a great way to find out how to get your head and heart in shape. February is "American Heart Month!" Since 1963, the month of February has been dedicated to raising heart health awareness through such activities as screening test drives and Wear Red Day (usually February 2nd). You may have already been invited to a Go Red for Women Luncheon. February is the perfect time to find out if your ticker is in tiptop shape or if some changes need to be made. If you have read any heart health related article in the last decade, you can probably recite the main tips circulating now: • Eat a heart-healthy diet. • Improve your cholesterol levels. • Get 30-60 minutes of aerobic activity most days of the week. • Maintain a healthy weight • Control diabetes and blood pressure • Quit smoking Once again, pat yourself on the back for being able to quote these verbatim. But be honest and ask yourself, "Am I doing my best? What areas can be improved?" The odds are you could be doing better. The first step is to face facts. You need to know what you are doing well and where you need help. A good beginning is to visit www.goredforwomen.com and take a risk assessment test. Your results will help you pinpoint exactly what you should be discussing with your doctor and what easy changes will move you in a healthier direction. Easily improved? Yes! Any woman who has suffered through fad diets or excruciatingly extreme exercise programs knows that if our choices are painful, boring, or unappealing we probably won't follow through. To increase your chances of sticking with your plan, make sure to include pleasure. That's right! One easy step to a healthy heart is finding a routine that makes you happy. Yes, there will be some sacrifices (no more diner cheeseburgers at 2 a.m.) but you needn't resign yourself to lettuce wraps and thousands of crunches (unless you happen to love either). Several studies that show green tea, red wine, and dark chocolate all have heart benefits. So, get creative and spice it up! The American Heart Association's "Choose to Move" program and online support sites like www.SparkPeople.com have thousands of healthy recipes and fun exercise suggestions, not to mention a chance to network with hundreds of thousands of determined, like-minded people. And finally Ladies, even though your health is a very serious matter, please don't forget to laugh. Not only does laughter naturally reduce stress (arch nemesis of heart and vascular health), but it's an aerobic activity! That's right! Good belly laughter exercises the heart and lungs, and even burns calories. And the best part of laughter? It rarely makes you sweat, it doesn't cost a nickel, and you can share it with friends. While you're at it, why not round up all your gal pals and female family members and take each other to your local Go Red for Women luncheon? Wishing you happy, healthy hearts and minds this year! 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! |
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