| |
| |
|
Stress Management Information |
|
Mindfulness and Laughter: Gaining Clarity While Giggling
Life is funny. Throughout the day, there are plenty of humorous moments that we tend to ignore. We get so caught up in being earnest that we miss opportunities to gain clarity while giggling. Sure, there are times when it is considered inappropriate to laugh, but if we're honest, we'll see that if we're suppressing a smile it's a sign that we're fully present. Not only that, but these are times when we could most use a little laughter to bring levity to an overly-serious situation. The best business meetings--and funerals--I've ever attended included plenty of bust-a-gut moments. Years ago, during a two-week silent meditation retreat, I got the giggles. Oh, I know, you're supposed to be *serious* about meditating for five hours straight, but I couldn't help it. It all started when I was roused from my peaceful posture by a certain "KLUNK!" from across the room. I opened my eyes to see that one of my retreat buddies had fallen asleep and landed with his head against the wall. Momentarily unnerved, he quickly straightened up, closed his eyes and put on his best meditator's face. I, on the other hand, completely lost it. I managed to stifle the first few giggles, but then they started escaping in little bursts. I tried the ol' coughing technique, hoping to disguise my snorts as expectoration, but I wasn't fooling anyone. Pretty soon, I saw (well, I did have my eyes open) others looking my way. Nobody else was laughing. In fact, nobody else was even smiling. Clearly, I was the only one who had allowed myself to get caught up in that unexpected moment of hilarity. I was chagrined, and then annoyed, and continued to watch my response to this incident shift over the next few minutes. Had it been funny? Of course. Were we supposed to be concentrating fully on the moment? Absolutely. Anything else would be attachment to past regrets or worries about the future. Okay, so we were focusing on watching our thoughts, and this little interruption was not part of what was going on in our heads. But isn't ignoring what's happening around us the same kind of thing that gets us into trouble back in the Real World? We go about our lives, obsessing silently, moving mindlessly, getting things done. We fail to notice the wonder and joy and beauty all around us because we are in full scowl mode about the things in our heads. Well, I'm all for taking time to laugh. Give me a giggling guru over a dour taskmaster every time. The greatest guides--in business, education, and personal success--are those who encourage us to invite hilarity into our lives whenever it happens to appear. Open your eyes to the silliness around you, and laugh out loud. It's good for your heart in every way. Maya Talisman Frost is a mind masseuse offering specialized mindfulness training in Portland, Oregon. She teaches eyes-wide-open ways to get calm, clear and creative. Her work has inspired thinkers in over 100 countries. To subscribe to her free weekly ezine, the Friday Mind Massage, please visit http://www.massageyourmind.com
MORE RESOURCES: Unable to open RSS Feed $XMLfilename with error HTTP ERROR: 404, exiting |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
8 Practical Methods to Remain Empowered During Stressful Times 1. Acknowledge that requesting support, guidance and partnership is not the same as being needy. Sshhh... Listen to Your Own Voice It was a self-exploration that made me understand myself. It was like discovering the one last elusive word in a jigsaw puzzle that completes other words. How To Eliminate Or Manage Stress Are you a "worry wart?" Is that term familiar to you? It is to me but it's been a long time since I've heard it used. I do remember people telling me years ago when something was really bothering me and they would say, "Oh! you are a just a real "worry wart". Six Questions To Make Your Workplace Stress-Free Many CEOs see stress as an intractable problem which would cost too much to tackle properly -- or alternatively something that only affects 'whiners' whom their organisations would be better off without. Employee assistance programmes, corporate gym memberships and flexible hours are seen as expensive, of dubious effectiveness, and in the worst case, as mollycoddling staff. Stress Management: Workaholism is a Thief Let's take a look at some of the more serious signs and effects of workaholism.Workaholism is a thief. Stress And Anxiety - Take Charge Of It! Have you ever noticed what occurs when you are suddenly thrown into a high tension situation?Does any of this sound familiar?* Raised pulse* Short faster breaths* Shallower breathing* Feelings of losing control* Limbs twitching and/or shaking* Feeling hot and clammyOK, there may be more, but I think they are a good start.If you answered no to all of them then, CONGRATULATIONS, you don't suffer from stress (or any human emotion) at all!Seriously though, such feelings are often the reason why people suffer from stress and anxiety in their everyday lives and, this is the point,EVEN WHEN THEY ARE NOT IN STRESSFUL SITUATIONS!The stress they feel regularly in pressure environments does not leave them and this leads to extended periods of tension, headaches, poor and shallow breathing, and oftenleads them to indulge in vices that exacerbate the problem. 5 Steps to Make Stress Your Best Friend You probably think I'm wacko, but it's true - stress can be your best friend! Stress is actually a positive experience to be channeled to improve your life.For instance, let me tell you about a small moment of stress I faced a few minutes ago. Worry: Is It Worthwhile Work or a Waste of Time? As tools for change are discussed, one tool - that you might not have thought of - attains a unique status. That tool is WORRYING. Stress Management: 3 Rules for Dealing with Difficult People Seems like more and more they are all around us. You know who I'm talking about - all those difficult people who seem to cross our path everyday. Just Moved -- and Miserable! Q. Help! I moved from the Dallas to Denver. The Underlying Cause of Nervous Breakdowns Life can offer us many challenges having to do with loss. When we are faced with relationship loss, financial loss, loss of health, loss of limb, loss of regard, or loss of love, we can feel overwhelmingly anxious, depressed and stressed. Workaholism: 4 Universal Laws for Recovery The Rule of BalanceThere is more to life than work. There are so many other areas of our lives than just work. Be Yourself And Zap Stress! Ask a hundred different people how to deal with stress and you'll probably get the same amount of different answers.. Five Steps to Stress Relief So, you've recognised that you are suffering from stress and you want to do something about it - congratulations, you are now TWO steps ahead of most people and well on the road to recovery from dis-ease. These five easy steps will get you well on your way and give you some momentum to keep going as well as gearing your systems up for the challenge. Stress Management and Mastery: What We Can Learn from 9 Trapped Miners Think back a few years to the nine coal miners trapped in a Pennsylvania mine and their rescuers.Do you remember that story?I thought the miners were goners. Dealing with Workplace Stress One of the hardest forms of stress to avoid is workplace stress. After all, you need to go to work and there are plenty of things to worry about once you get there. Extreme Self-care: Make Time for Yourself If you've recently experienced loss or are going through a time of high-stress or uncertainty, it's important that you make a special effort to look after yourself. Here are a few things you can do to care for yourself physically and emotionally:- Take time out. Stress Management and Mastery: The Power of REST Rest.It's a good thing to do. 6 Ways to Release Stress We are currently living in a capitalist society where money and power rule. Therefore, many of us have become workaholics and often overlook signs of tiredness in order to stay on track. Seven Simple Steps to a Stress-Free Start Most of us lead busy lives, trying to successfully juggle the responsibilities of home and work and personal interests into one cohesive happy life. There is nothing that could better start your busy day than having a smooth stress-free morning.
|
| home | site map | contact us |