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Loretta La Roche has helped millions of people find ways to lighten up and overcome stress. Now, in Life Is Short—Wear Your Party Pants, she gives you the tools you need to not only reduce feelings of tension, but also to bring joy, passion, and gusto into your life. Her techniques are a brilliant blend of old-world common sense and the most contemporary research in brain chemistry, psychology, and mind-body studies. Loretta gives you dozens of proven techniques for recognizing the ten simple truths that will lead you to an intense, happy, successful life: resilience, living in the moment, optimism, acceptance, humor, creativity, moderation, responsibility, meaning, and connection.

If you have been listening to the television, reading the internet or newspaper these last few weeks; you're probably hunkered down in your basement cuddling the canned goods and preparing for another Depression.

Everywhere I go, people are talking doom & gloom, and the funny thing is -- I've now lived long enough to remember times that were far worse than these. Unfortunately, the media now fans the fear flames 24 x 7. We're not just informed -- we're terrified.

Our fight or flight response has been kicked into overdrive. Ironically, the current situtions causing our anxiety can't be overcome by fighting or fleeing. In fact, maintaining a stress response over a long duration does us all far more harm than good. We bathe ourselves in stress hormones, make poor fear-based decisions and generally wear-down our bodies and minds.

But, there is a better way. As an educator in the field of stress management, I do know that there are some things we can do to help us through these trying times.

Try not to catastrophize and awfulize. We humans have a propensity toward making situations worse than they are. Try to expend your energy figuring out what is possible. Believe me, I know it’s easier said than done.

Don’t spend countless hours watching the news. There are a lot of spinmeisters on TV. The more you hear the same bad news repeated the more your body/mind feels it’s under assault. You’ll find yourself getting anxious, irritable or depressed. You cannot deal with problems rationally when you’re manifesting physical symptoms that make you want to fight or flee.

Take breaks from your worries by going to a movie, exercising, meditating or hanging out with someone you really care for. Our brains need vacations from our fear-based thoughts. If you can find someone to laugh with, you’ve found a real treasure.

Try to discuss issues with individuals who tend to think positively. Having a group whining session only makes the world seem much gloomier than it is.

If you're looking for some a fun, healthy and relaxing escape from all this madness, come join me and some of my friends for a Lighten Up! Halloween Weekend at the Kripalu Wellness Center in Lenox, MA view link
I promise we'll distract you from what ever is eating you. You'll laugh, move, and remember what life is about -- having fun! Who wants to live to be 100 if you're miserable every day -- Come laugh with me and put some life back in your years!

Visit my group right here on Eons! view link

This sounds like a great place to be. I have alot of stress in my life at the moment, I have an upcoming surgery, plus, I just lost my job and have no medical coverage. I'm trying to stay happy and positive but could always use more tips to get me through things. I look forward to reading all the suggestions of the members.

I am now divorced as of yesterday from a man I was married to for 42yrs. Last year around this time he left me for a woman from his teenage years. He had been cheating on me for many years and it took being separated for a year for me to see this. I have been in theraphy for this past year. I am very happy I am all done with him. I am moving on with some one new I met. What I am afraid of is the ex trying to get back into my life some how. Like a week or so ago my mom was buried she died in Feb. He was there with his girl friend and then he had the nerve to take her to my brothers house after. He left all of this when he left me and now even try to bring her into the fold of my life. Its like he is having her walk in my foot steps. This did make me very upset and uneasy. I had to let it go because it was effecting my relationship with my new man. This new man was there the day of moms burial and kept me calm. It was bad enough burying mom but for him to show up this way I was a basket case. I am sure I haven't seen the last of him and he will try to start something. I am safe now I can tell him whats on my mind and tell him to get a new life with his lady. I think I have done the best I can and I have kept myself under control. How would some one else handle this? My ex has made me very unhappy for years cause I know he didn't love me but I did love him. He never explained why he did what he did. If I tried to talk to him he only looked down at the floor never saying anything. thats when I told him to leave and get out of my life. He also said such nasty things about me in the divorce papers that were never true. With him I found many nasty things about sex with under age teens. I feel he may have been a sexual dviate. The truth will come out some day. I have always felt he hid something from me and maybe that was what it was. Any way I have moved on and very happy.

Hi, I will probably sound boring...but I have a problem with stress...what causes them? well, I have a 20year old son who is studying and I am unemployed...although my retirement money is put away for me hopefully but I held an amount for my expenses and now I find myself paying rent money, gasoline, etc, etc, and although I have a Significant Other, well he is just not getting involved, not interested, and worst of all...he constantly says he will be leaving me if I keep all this up...my problem, well, my son is studying nursing, his father has his own life, and I worry because I love my Significant Other, but...I feel I have to be there for my son....I feel against the wall....I pray and pray and hope that somewhere along the line, I don't get a heart attack! There are many stress builders in my life...but one at a time, I guess...I feel good at least writing to you and at least when I read thru these lines, I notice that there are many who have worst problems....I know that eventually I will end up alone and I need to accept that...if it is God's will! So here I am....thank you everyone who reads this, for being here for me!!

Wonder what this group is like. hoping for a little advise on stress management..
Afew stressors... parent P.O.A. , under hospice now, daughter in Ca. not speaking.., dealing with "vultures" on not deceased parent!
Just for starters...
Micky

Hi, This group sounds fasinating.I have been under tremendous strss this past year.Family can really hurt you. I'm doing much better this past month and vow to take care of me for a change.I hope to learn some coping skills,and meet some new friends.

Today is just getting started. Already feel the nerves building up inside me. I don't understand it. I keep wondering when it will pass. I really keep wondering,
"WHY" Why am I like this everyday. Where does all this nervous stuff come from?

so the bible sez.
28 years ago I incorperated that saying into my head, heart & soul.
I had to go for gall bladder surgery. They had two surgeons on staff. My doctor asked me which one I wanted to do my surgery. I asked him which one is the one that is always smiling, joking & laughing around here. MY doc. knew right away which one that was.
And that is who did the surgery on me.
Oh and everything came out all right, LOL