December 1998 - Take a Mental Health Break

December, 1998 - Take a Mental Health Break

Suggestions for reducing stress; What the experts say; A few words of inspiration for the season; Internet Resources and Articles
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Well, here we are again � on the verge of ending another year. Where has the time gone? Do you feel like life is moving too quickly? Many people do. The Holiday Season seems to start earlier and earlier, and we seem to be less ready for it every year.

Our contribution to the mental health of the workplace is to provide some ways to reduce stress and enjoy ourselves.

Some suggestions for ways to reduce stress and slow down the pressure keeping up a hectic life:

Find some time for yourself every single day in December, even if it is only a private coffee break or a walk around the block.
During your quiet time, think about all the things that are right with your life. For those few moments, forget about the nasty boss, the person who cut you off on the way to work, the software that won't work, or any of the many life irritations that we all have.
Spend a few moments and think about your best friend, a trusted co-worker, a child you love, a favorite relative, a favorite childhood activity, the wonderful time you had with your spouse, or anything that makes you feel good.
Take time to notice how nice someone looks, the way their eyes sparkle when they laugh, the way they reach out to others.
If you notice those things, tell that person how much you appreciate them for who they are.
Buy a gift for yourself, just because you are a good person � and don't feel guilty about it!
Smile at a stranger.
Let someone go in front of you in line.
Empty your pockets the next time you encounter a charity seeking funds.
See a movie that you've always wanted to see.
Read a book you never had time for.
Write a note to someone that you haven't seen in a while.
Do something out of your normal routine just because it makes you feel better.
Find a reason to laugh every day even if you have to look for a reason.
Buy yourself a coloring book and crayons � and use them!
Better yet, buy coloring books and crayons for your friends � yes, for your adult friends. You'd be surprised how tickled they are with such a different gift.
Go see Santa Claus without your kids.
Visit the Internet humor sites.
Buy a book that makes you laugh and keep it near you at work.
Make your own list of things to do that are just plain FUN, then go out and do them.

What the Experts Say:

"By 1950, there will be work for all" � National Education Association, January, 1931
"By 1960, work will be limited to 3 hours a day" John Langdon-Davies, A Short History of the Future, 1936
"I'd like to clone him and use him to head some of our other departments" Ron Rubino talking about Bob Citron, February 1992 (In December 1994, Orange County, CA filed for bankruptcy protection and its treasurer, Bob Citron, resigned).
"When the president does it, that means it is not illegal" Richard Nixon, May, 1977
"It's a disaster. Close it." about the play, Grease, after its off-Broadway opening, February, 1972
"Can't act. Can't sing. Balding. Can't dance," MGM executive about Fred Astair's screen test, 1928
"Try another profession. Any other," professional advice to Lucille Ball from the John Anderson Murray drama school.
"You'd better learn secretarial work or else get married," advice to Marilyn Monroe from a modeling agency.
"Director James Cameron's Titanic is the latest of 17 movies about the doomed luxury liner, almost all of which have flopped," The London Mail, November 1997
"You ain't goin' nowhere son. You ought to go back to drivin' a truck," from the man who fired Elvis Presley after one performance at the Grand Ole Opry, September 1954.
"I can assure you on the highest authority that data processing is a fad and won't last out the year," Editor in charge of books at Prentice-Hall, 1957
"640k ought to be enough for anybody," Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft, 1981

These "expert" quotes are from the delightful new book, The Experts Speak: The Definitive Compendium of Authoritative Misinformation, by Christopher Cerf and Victor Navasky. �1998 (updated and expanded from the 1984 version). Published by Random House, Inc. ISBN 0-679-77806-3.

Special thanks to Christopher Cerf for providing a complementary copy of his book. Other humorous books by Mr. Cerf include: The Official Politically Correct Dictionary and Handbook and The Official Sexually Correct Dictionary and Dating Guide.

Laughter is good for your health by the way, which means it is also good for your company.

treelights.gif (10270 bytes) Happy Holidays!!

A few words of inspiration for the season

A Friend

(A)ccepts you as you are
(B)elieves in "you"
(C)alls you just to say "Hi"
(D)oesn't give up on you
(E)nvisions the whole of you (even the unfinished parts)
(F)orgives mistakes
(G)ives unconditionally
(H)elps you
(I)nvites you over
(J)ust "be" with you
(K)eeps you close at heart
(L)oves you for who you are
(M)akes a difference in your life
(N)ever Judges
(O)ffers support
(P)icks you up
(Q)uiets your fears
(R)aises your spirits
(S)ays nice things about you
(T)ells you the truth when you need to hear it
(U)nderstands you
(V)alues you
(W)alks beside you
(X)-plains things you don't understand
(Y)ells when you won't listen and
(Z)aps you back to reality

A Friend is a Treasure

A friend is someone we turn to
when our spirits need a lift,
A friend is someone we treasure
For our friendship is a gift,
A friend is someone who fills our lives
With beauty, Joy, and grace
And makes the world we live in
A better and happier place.

The Music of Life

"What a beautiful noise comin' up from the street
Got a beautiful sound, it's got a beautiful beat.
Like a symphony played by the passing parade, it's the music of life."

Internet Resources

In Jest "Humor at Work" (December 1998 issue)
Laughing Nine to Five
Humor Ink
Humor Ink's daily humor
American Association of Therapeutic Humor
Dilbert � the Dilbert Zone, Scott Adams proved that there is a way out of the corporate madness through humor
Dilbert's daily mental workout
Rev. Lowell''s Favorite Humor Books (with sound!)
International humor (from India)
A very irreverent version of our Personality Test
MLA publications on the Values of Humor
HR books, including a section on Humor
Humor and Jokes (includes the infamous 3 envelopes joke)
The Humor Project (Chicken Soup for the Laughing Soul)
Duh-2000.com - the stupid things said about the Year 2000 problems
Amazon.com (books about Humor at Work)