Family Services EAP…Your Bridge Between Home and Work

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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