Laughing Out Loud

Humor in daily life, relationships, family

Shared sense of humor is a great way to bond. Humor is contagious and laughter is the best medicine. It is an approved truth that laughter and humor strengthens the immune system, boosts energy, and even lessens pain. The greatest stress buster comes free.

When laughter is shared, it binds people and makes them more intimate. Humor in any relationship, be it family or workplace, is sure to make you not only more popular, but also improve your harmony with others. It keeps you grounded and lightens your burden. Even when we have finished laughing, the good feeling lingers, makes you a more positive person. It is impossible to continue to feel angry or anxious when you retain your sense of humor. 

In relationship issues, humor helps you to maintain a healthy perspective. It helps you to keep in focus the important factors and filter out the irrelevant ones. When you laugh, it invites whoever is with you, your partner, friend, or colleague, to join in the fun. Laughter at workplace helps you to accomplish more. Laughter in your relationship makes it stronger. A man who can make you smile is a cherished being indeed. You can in turn be that cherished being if you retain your sense of humor. Laughing together creates a strong buffer against odds like disagreements and disappointments and relieves the strain out of the relationship.

A family that laughs together weathers a lot together. Laughter makes you less defensive, releases your inhibitions and thereby helps you express your true feelings. Needless to say, laughter is the perfect way to forge family ties.

Humor changes the chemistry of the brain by releasing endorphins that increase the sense of well-being. It also increases reasoning power. With humor in your daily life, creativity increases and you become more emotionally independent. Your generally relaxed and positive attitude towards life attracts more people towards you. 

Travel tips for women who love the sojourn

Its time to let your hair down and take that much needed break from life’s dull routines. Travel is something that every woman looks forward to so she can get that much needed break from the strenuous chores of everyday life. Not being prepared for travel can leave you bitter and stressed even on a holiday. This post is intended to help you run a checklist on things that are a ‘must do’ when on travel.

Irrespective of whether women are working or at home travel brings with it a host of anxieties. From taking care of children to packing the right stuff everything is on the shoulders of the women who travel. Here are a few travel tips that should help women keep off that unnecessary stress while traveling:

·      Pack light – Do not go overboard while packing as it will leave you tired and anxious and it is an unnecessary burden to carry around

·      Carry a map of the destination you are headed to 

·      Carry clothes that are bright and comfortable  

·      Do not work while on travel 

·      Shop for yourself – when on travel, women usually land up buying gifts for everyone save themselves, always remember to pick up a souvenir for yourself

·      If it is winter time travel then ensure you have your woolen and thermal clothing packed

·      Always carry your sunscreen, moisturizer and day cream along

·      Pack your medical supplies if any along with a first aid kit

·      Carry enough sets of undergarments 

·      Have a small diary with important phone numbers and emergency contacts, keep it in your wallet

·      Carry travelers checks instead of lot of cash 

Travel clubs, groups and travel agencies are fun ways to meet other travelers and save on travel expenses.

The Women's Travel Club
Gutsy Women Travel
Sights and Soul Travel
G Adventures


The above tips should keep you safe and ready for travel. Most of all, remember to have fun. 

Sucker Punch - Who gets the swag?

Our Banana Moments

Readers be forewarned, as the content to follow is a rant, albeit this banana’s rant.  So, Doo Funny Banana (Doo Funny) has decided to leave our particular bunch and I want to know who gets the swag.  More specifically, who gets the Cuisinart blender, microwave oven, coffee pot, air mattress, lap top computer, and the Shark Vac then Steam Mop?  These items are just a portion of the swag that I so generously loaned, gave or bought (not a gift) for Doo Funny and I want them back.  Maybe the problem is in the definition of a gift.  Do not begin to feel sorry for Doo Funny because he has gotten rather nice gifts…4 brand new Dueler Tires for his truck, Ralph Lauren Polo shirts, Burberry Cologne, numerous assortments of kitchen utensils, bathroom décor, and hundreds of dollars spend on dining out.  As you can see, from the impressive list of gifts, it is only right that he return the items that were not gifts.  Doo Funny indomitably disagrees (hence the handle of Doo Funny) with my demands.  Instead, he insists upon labeling me as petty while demanding that I never call or text him again.  This is a mighty fine conundrum! Apparently, while he was enjoying purple label treatment, I was not behaving at all out of the ordinary.  After all, he relished the fine dining and our “throw it in the bag” style of shopping. Sadly, at this point, all I can do is rant and prattle on about this situation. Doo Funny has made up his mind that he, under every circumstance, is going keep everything down to the chopsticks.  I feel bad, in advance, for the poor sap to follow him, as he will get nothing more than a roll of cheap toilet paper to wipe his little (or big) bottom.  I will be the one who changes the Charmin roll for the off-brand, guaranteed to take two layers of skin, sandpaper roll whenever he comes to visit.

12 Ways to Manage Anger - Part 2 of 2

Nurse's Notes

1. Aim to be a good role model by learning to control anger.
2. Go for a quick walk or bike ride to blow off steam
3. Jot down a list of proper ways to handle your anger
4. Make time to relax and do something you enjoy every day.
5. Never use physical violence, no matter how angry you are.
6. Question why something upsets you and what you could do differently next time.
7. Repeat a calming word or phrase to yourself, such as “take it easy” or “relax.”
8. Try writing down your feelings to get them out.
9. Use humor when appropriate to lighten tense situations.
10. Visualize a relaxing scene or pleasant experience from your past.
11. You sometimes need help to make changes.  Seek a counselor’s advice if needed.
12. Get enough sleep.  Your patience level is lower when you are tired.

Adjustment Disorder, is it the label applied when adult bananas have tantrums for not getting their own way?

According to Mayo Clinic staff, (2009), the definition of an adjustment disorder is a type of stress-related mental illness.  Common triggers can be work problems, divorce, getting married, loss of a loved one and the list could go on.  The difference between someone experiencing the same stressors and someone with an adjustment disorder is that those with the disorder have a harder time adjusting to life changes.  People with the adjustment disorder may skip work or school, forget to pay bills, pick fights, abuse drugs or alcohol, or experience suicidal ideation.   In comparison to others who are, adapt at mobilizing effective coping techniques.  The bright side to having an adjustment disorder is that it is self -limiting with symptoms only lasting a few months.

In contrast, Mayo Clinic staff, (2010), writes that a tantrum is the expression of a child’s frustration with mental or emotional challenges of the moment.  A child’s tantrum can be characterized as kicking, supersonic screaming, flailing uncontrollably on the floor, hitting, and breath holding.  These characteristics represent a child’s lack of coping skills and such episodes tend to decrease as the child ages and gains more effective means to express his or her needs.  Similarly, adults with adjustment disorder do not have effective coping mechanisms to handle negative life changes that occur outside of their control.  Adjustment disorder suffers may require psychotherapy to explore more effective means of coping with life changes.  In addition, unlike children, adults may have destructive means of coping at their disposal and, therefore, signs of an adjustment disorder should not be taken lightly.

More importantly, if you or a loved one is suffering from signs of an adjustment disorder, please seek medical attention as the symptoms may lead to suicidal ideation.  This blog was written for entertainment purposes only and is not to be used as a diagnostic tool.

References

·         Mayo Clinic Staff, . (2009). Adjustment disorders. MayoClinic.com. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/adjustment-disorders/DS00584

·         Mayo Clinic Staff, . (2010). Temper tantrums: how to keep the peace. MayoClinic.com. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/tantrum/HQ01622