Family Services EAP…Your Bridge Between Home and Work
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Lawrence, MA 01840
www.FamilyServicesEAP.org 978-327-6666 [email protected]
December 2017
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There is a lot of advice floating
around about how to manage
stress during the holiday season.
We’re told to plan ahead, get
enough sleep, eat healthy. Yes,
these are all important. But the
best stress buster, any time of
year, is laughter. It is affordable,
easy to give, great to receive, and enjoyed at all ages.
Do you have too much on your calendar? Facing difficult
relationships with friends and family? Pressuring yourself to
host the “perfect” holiday gathering? These and other
stressors can be alleviated with a dose of humor.
Studies show that laughter has measurable health benefits.
Laughter enhances your intake of oxygen, stimulates your
heart, lungs and muscles, and increases the endorphins that
your brain releases. Endorphins are the feel-good neuro-
transmitters that make us feel great! Laughter can also stim-
ulate circulation and aid muscle relaxation, both of which
help reduce some of the physical manifestations of stress.
Here are some tips for making laughter part of your holiday:
Start with a smile. Even a pretend smile has a positive
effect. The muscle movement in a smile triggers your
brain to prepare for joy and it inspires people to smile
back.
Spend your time with funny people! These are people
who laugh easily and who routinely find the humor in
everyday events. Their playful point of view and energy
are contagious.
When you hear laughter, move toward it. People are
delighted to share something funny because it provides
them an opportunity to laugh again. When you hear
laughter, seek it out and ask, “What’s so funny?”
Laugh at yourself. Share your embarrassing moments.
The best way to take yourself less seriously is to talk
about when you took yourself too seriously.
Attempt to laugh at struggles. Look for the humor in a
challenging situation. There is almost always a chance to
uncover irony and absurdity. This helps improve your
mood and the mood of those around you.
Surround yourself with visual humor. Place a funny
photo in your office. Choose a screensaver that makes
you chuckle. Frame photos of fun events with family
and friends. It’s important to trigger memories of joy.
Notice what children do & emulate them. It has been
said that kindergarteners laugh more than 300 times
each day, whereas adults laugh less than 20 times.
Choose to close that gap a little more each day.
Watch funny TV shows and movies. Instead of watch-
ing dramas or news stories, de-
cide that you need to laugh and
select a comedy option instead.
Family Services EAP wishes you a
holiday season and a new year filled
with warmth and laughter.
Give the Gift of Laughter
“I have seen what a
laugh can do. It can
transform almost
unbearable tears into
something bearable,
even hopeful.”
- Bob Hope
“From there to
here, and here to
there, funny things
are everywhere.”
- Dr. Seuss