The Scenario: Do you ever wonder why you can manage or handle stress better than others? Or why you can tackle an unpredictable challenge with ease?

Which of the following characteristics do you have that allow you to be emotionally resilient?

Do you have . . .

• Internal Locus of Control: The belief that your results in life are based on your own actions gives you the choice to take control and make the necessary steps to tackle any situation.
• Strong conflict resolution and problem solving skills: Your methodology may include clarifying the issue, identifying your position, actively listening, defining needs, brainstorming solutions, agreeing on the course of action, implementing the plan, then re-evaluating the options.
• Tenacity: The ability to push forward and focus on goals in the face of adversity.
• Networks of people: Surround yourself with networks of people that are inspiring and uplifting.
• Optimism: View challenges as opportunities with a positive attitude about the results.
• Sense of humor: A sense of humor about life and its setbacks is healthy. It helps reduce stress.
• Self-awareness: Know how you feel, when you feel that way and why. Then you can take action.
• Ability to know when to ask for help: The key to accomplishing any goal is to know when it’s too big to tackle by yourself.

Maybe you have all the qualities listed above. If not you can incorporate some to increase your emotional resilience.

The Insight: Being emotionally resilient stems from a clear understanding of one’s feelings.

When was the last time you managed a challenging situation? Share your insight.

By Sheba

www.bySheba.com

Creating Positive Perspectives for Life

The Scenario – The members of your family are strong willed, stubborn and sometimes hotheaded. Every gathering or vacation someone manages to pick a fight, which creates tension in what is supposed to be a fun-filled, loving environment. You could separate the people who tend to disagree into two different rooms, but then you think, they all disagree. Can a sense of humor help?

How does humor function in relationships?

According to a recent study conducted by Bethany Butzer, Ph.D., and Nicholas A. Kuiper, Ph.D., it can. The study found that humor plays an integral role in close relationships. The study focused on three specific types of humor:

 1.     Positive Humor

• Humor is used to strengthen the bond in relationships by creating warmth and an area of common enjoyment.

2.     Negative Humor

• Humor is used to discretely raise issues or express hostility without taking responsibility for or immediately addressing personal feelings.

3.     Avoidant Humor

• Humor is used to draw attention away from the conflict and decrease situational strain with laughter and amusement.

(Read More)

The Insight – Have a joke or three and some humorous anecdotes from past gatherings ready to use in case you need to diffuse any tension that might arise. Some theorists believe we argue the most with family because we feel connected enough to let our guards down. Don’t be surprised when the tension rises. Instead, try to use humor to bring everyone together.

What role will humor play in your holiday?

By Sheba

www.bySheba.com

Creating Positive Perspectives for Life

The Scenario: Have you ever spent time with a group of people you really enjoyed and when you left you said, “Why don’t I do this more often?” After a few laughs you felt a little more content with life or like you filled a void.

Does a laugh a day keep the doctor away?

According to research conducted by Psychology Professor Robert R. Provine and Laughter Therapist Steven Wilson, M.A., C.S.P. , because laughter gets oxygen to your cells and promotes energy and vitality, it’s directed related to:

1. Reduction of Pain and Stress

• Laughter releases endorphins which reduce the feeling of pain in our bodies

2. Boost in Energy and the Immune System

• Laughter causes an increase in the flow of blood and oxygen in our bodies while raising our heart rates

3. Burned calories

• 10 to 15 minutes of intense laughter can burn up to 50 calories

Research shows that people laugh 30 times more in groups than when they are on their own. Children laugh up to 200 times a day while adults laugh 15 times or less.

The Insight: Everyday we are presented with opportunities to laugh. Don’t let them pass you by. Think of it as an exercise in you and a personal benefit that reduces your stress.

When was the last time you had a gut-wrenching laugh?

By Sheba

www.bySheba.com

Creating Positive Perspectives for Life

The Scenario – You know exactly what stress feels like and where it comes from. But do you know how to get rid of it?

Can laughter decrease stress in our lives?

Children laugh about 300 times a day. As we grow older, we are conditioned and socialized to prioritize other things, and we laugh only 5 to 15 times a day. According to the Mayo Clinic, laughter is an effective strategy for both long- and short-term stress relief:

1. Immediate Effects

• Short fits of laughter engage your internal organs while pumping oxygen through your system and releasing endorphins.
• The spurt of mental and physical activity laughter requires excites the body, enacting your body’s natural stress response, which then stimulates your body’s recovery response to stressful situations, leaving you feeling relaxed.

2. Extended Effects

• Negative thoughts and emotions cause your brain to carry out its usual chemical response to negative thoughts and emotions, resulting in unnecessary stress on the body. The more you laugh, the less you have time to dwell on negative thoughts and emotions.
• Laughter causes your body to release endorphins, which are the body’s natural painkillers. The more often you laugh, the less pain you feel. Laughter may even break cycles of pain.
• A good sense of humor enables you to apply a more positive perspective to almost any situation.

(Read More)

The Insight – Look for opportunities to laugh and have fun no matter how silly you may feel or look. Take full advantage of each hilarious moment that presents itself and make time to enjoy it. Watch comedy shows or surround yourself with people you find funny. You’ll reduce current stress and better prepare yourself for any stress looming in the future. Your body will thank you for it.

How many times have you laughed today?

By Sheba

www.bySheba.com

Creating Positive Perspectives for Life