We often absorb a lot through reading, conversations and internet surfing but it can stay in our minds without a transformative effect in our lives. Why is that? Sometimes it’s because we are in a gathering mode of taking in information. At othe times, it can be the emotional difficulties of taking what we have a rational understanding about and living it . It’s easier to have an intellectual understanding that doesn’t become a lived experience. This is one reason why people like movies and music: It’s hard to stay distant when you are watching a movie. We experience more and our walls get broken down a bit. People cry in movies, who may have difficulty tearing up in life.

Applying what’s in your head into your life is important. For instance, if your spouse and family members have told you that you spend too much time working and not enough with the family, this may be something you agree with upon reflection. You can recognize this, but moving into an interactive mode with the family may be difficult when you were used to being in the “workaholic ” mode. This is a new skill to learn so give yourself some time and don’t be too hard on yourself as you work on this aspect of your personality.

It may be awkward at first and you may not be sure what to do sitting in the family with your own kids after dinner if this is something you’ve ignored. Take it as a learning process and know you’ll be going through some growth pains. It also will be different for the kids to have you around more and a routine change that is new for them. 

The willingness to change an old habit and to create a new one seals in your intent and when you close the door to an old pattern you are making tremendous strides. Your intent is what will carry you along and once that decision is there in your heart you have already started to move in this new direction. Expect there to be some uncomfortableness in moving from the old to the new and be proud of your inner decision to change. Practice is what is key for carrying something from the head into the heart.

Have you looked to see if your employer is offering any wellness programs at your job? This can be in the form of a lunch time yoga class, after-work fitness class or a seminar presented on stress reduction. Sometimes employers will have an in-service or even Saturday morning program.

Many companies now are learning the benefits of offering these on-site to reduce employee sick days, burn out and many other reasons why people miss work. This also makes people tend to not need a “mental health day” off from work to recover from stress.

If your employer isn’t offering any programs, you can show him some articles that outline the benfits. One motivation employers have is the reduced cost of health insurance which can really sky rocket. A second benefit is that employees that are less stressed have reductions in reacting to other co-workers with anger, resentment or other flare ups . This decreases enmity and leads to team work, cooperation and less office gossip.

Psychologically one reason why people dread work is due to the “water cooler” talk that can be at times petty. The less gossip a work environment has, the more comfortable everyone feels. This will create a relaxed ambience and one that will seem friendly.

As an employee, having a wellness class on -site also is a nice way to associate work with health and fun. When we are less stressed our presentations go better, we cooperate more with others and can feel more connected. Often at work there may be people you think of approaching but don’t. A wellness course can be a nice way to have a common ground for conversation and future interactions. People tend to dress casually and there isn’t the type of strain that may be present in an environment where people feel pressured by meeting deadines.

“Life With Woody”

10 Inspirational Quotes That Will Add Some Humor To Your Day

It might take a little coffee or probably a few rounds of beer or any other booze you could get your hands on when it comes to relaxing after a hard day’s work. Well, yeah I’m guilty about that one as well, unless I’m caught dead wearing a lampshade over my head after a few rounds of vodka… half-naked! Okay, bad example and I apologize to everyone reading this after getting nightmares about me in that state of drunken stupor.

Just don’t ask how it happened, please.

But what’s really interesting is that how do people go through the usual part of life when faced with vein-popping stress? I mean, the new age thing like Zen or yoga is one of the good things and it actually works. Is there room for the intellectual side of people who can actually smell the roses-in-a-can while on the move? It kind of had me thinking that there really must be something in this ‘mind-over-matter’ thing.

Humor is indeed the best medicine there is whenever you are. I mean anyone can pay good money to listen to a comedian just to make you wet your pants after laughing so hard. Despite of what’s been happening, and to those who has gone though the ordeal, it’s better to just laugh while facing the troubles with a clear mind than anger with a clouded vision. One of my favorite celebrities of all time may have to be Woody Allen. Now this is one guy who gives you the in-your-face bluntness that he pulls out with gusto, even without even trying. You can talk just about anything with a man, and he’s bound to mock the subject and you’ll end up laughing rather than being upset about it.

Woody Allen has this to say:

1. “Money is better than poverty, if only for financial reasons.” It sounds good to me, I mean the practicality of all things does involve money but it doesn’t have to take an arm and a leg to get it.

2. “I believe there is something out there watching us. Unfortunately, it’s the government.” ‘Nuff said.

3. “There are worse things in life than death. Have you ever spent an evening with an insurance salesman?” This happens to be one of the classic ones. I mean the issue about life’s little problems isn’t all that bad, until ‘he’ shows up.

Sure, relationships can get complicated, or does have its complications that probably any author about relationships is bound to discover it soon. We follow what our heart desires, unless you’re talking about the heart as in the heart that pump blood throughout your body.

4. “Love is the answer, but while you’re waiting for the answer, sex raises some pretty interesting questions.” And if you want more, just keep on asking!

5. “A fast word about oral contraception. I asked a girl to go to bed with me, she said ‘no’.” It sounds, ‘practical’, I think.

And when it comes to everyday life, he really knows how to make the best out of every possible scenario, and it doesn’t involve a lawsuit if he strikes a nerve.

6. “Basically my wife was immature. I’d be at home in the bath and she’d come in and sink my boats.” I never had a boat in my bathtub before. Just staring at it while soaking in hot water makes me seasick already.

7. “I am not afraid of death, I just don’t want to be there when it happens.” If it rains, it pours.

8. “I am thankful for laughter, except when milk comes out of my nose.” It could get worse when you’re guzzling on beer… or mouthwash, and it happened to me once!

9. “If you want to make God laugh, tell him about your plans.” At least he doesn’t smite us with lightning, and I’m thankful for that.

And despite of what may happen to all of us in the next ten, twenty, or even thirty years, I guess we all have to see things in a different kind of light and not just perspective. I can’t seem to imagine life without any piece of wisdom that could guide us. Whether we’re religious or not, it takes more courage to accept your fears and learn how to deal with them is all that matters when it comes to even just getting along.

And to sum things up, here is the last nugget of wisdom to go by… however, whenever, and wherever we may be.

10. “The talent for being happy is appreciating and liking what you have, instead of what you don’t have.”

Best wishes for a great day!

Can stress shorten your life? There are studies that indicate that stress reduces our immune system strength. One recent news item has been how cortisol is increased when one is under stress. This can result in excess weight in the belly area. An interesting piece of research is that phosphatidylserine can help damaged cortisol receptors (which is the result of having a high cortisol amount). Some even take phosphadtidylserine to prevent senility and Alzheimers.

When you are stressed you often breathe shallowly. This means your chest and stomach muscles are tight and you won’t be taking in as much oxygen as when your body is relaxed. This effects energy, moods and sleep along with possible symptoms incuding stomach problems, backaches and high blood pressure.

One way that your body can relax is if you do a 5 minute meditation where you inhale through you nose and exhale with
a whistle. This helps you to have a deep exhalation . When you have a deep exhalation, you can inhale fully afterwards. We need to exhale fully in order to inhale completely.

In the book, “Secrets of Longevity: Hundreds of Ways to Live to be 100″ Dr. Ni, a Tai Chi Master, gives lots of tips. It is a worthwhile read . In an interview he said that we are influenced by our genes but probably the most important determinant of our length of time on this earth is the way we live. He mentions factors that include what we eat, how we play, how we relax, the amount of time we laugh and the way we end and begin each day.

One thing to keep in mind is that stress isn’t really easy to measure objectively. A person may be in a bad marriage and feel relieved if their partner wants a divorce. To say divorce HAS to cause stress isn’t exactly right . If the marriage was more stressful than the separation than it’s the opposite. It is the same when observing two kids on a roller coaster. One may be hilariously laughing and the other is white knuckled and very unhappy. Is it the roller coaster itself that causes the stress? 

We have different fears and stressors and one person can be very anxious around cats while another finds petting a cat their peaceful time. Look at how much you play and laugh each day and think of ways to increase this to extend your years and life quality.

Do you feel that you are always busy and trying to do too much?

Do you find when you are doing x that you think about y?

Are you ever present to the experience you are involved in ?

If you realize that you aren’t experiencig life the way you once did, this can be a warning sign to slow down so that your life won’t pass you by. 

Here’s some tips to take when you are trying to squeeze everything into a day or you are pre-occupied by thinking about what you forgot to do, need to do or shouldn’t have done!

1) Ask yourself if you are becoming too rigid. Do you find yourself being more and more serious, concerned with control
and laughing a lot less? When you are with friends and family are you making little lists in your head or racing off to use your cell phone or laptop?

2) Do you feel it’s been a while since you’ve been fully in any moment? Try this week to really embrace two activities you are involved in using your undivided attention. Give yourself permission to let your mind clear itself of other obligations for two set times this week and see what that is like for you.

3) Do you find that little things are becoming magnified larger than life? Is it another morning where your daughter didn’t take the food out of her room before school or feed the cat like she was supposed to? In the movie, “My life as a dog” the protagonist found comfort in remembering that there are others in worse circumstances than himself. This helped him to not blow up his current situation.

Try to see what the point of the busy buzz is that you create each day and if some of the items on the list can be eliminated rather than pursued. Let others multi-task while you stay focused and present.