Optimism is one of the best stress annihilation tools available. Click on the start button located in the center of the picture below to begin a wonderful video on optimism written in 1912 by Christian D. Larson.
Do you want to achieve all of your goals all of the time and annihilate stress at the same time? Click here now!
"Annihilate stress and propagate hope."--Wayne F. Perkins Stress Annihilator
Showing posts with label stress. Show all posts
Showing posts with label stress. Show all posts
Friday, June 8, 2007
Saturday, May 26, 2007
The Relationship of Schadenfreude and Stress
Schadenfreude adds to your daily stress.
Do you have all the support you need from friends, associates, and loved ones?
I am going out on a limb here and say, I will bet you do not have all the support you need from friends, associates and loved ones. On the surface, people will talk about all the support they are getting from others; however in most cases this is just not true.
One major reason is a concept called schadenfreude.
What is schadenfreude?
Schadenfreude is a German word meaning “pleasure taken from someone else’s misfortune.” It derives from schaden, meaning “damage or harm,” and freude meaning “joy.”
From Answers.com I found some interesting facts about Schadenfreude.
The concept of schadenfreude is not uniquely German, however. Almost every language in Europe has a word with the same meaning. There are even words that have the same meaning in Greek and Arabic. “Som nam na, can be translated as “I am laughing at your bad luck,” in the native Thai language. Go so ha da, in Korean translates as one who is pleased about an event involving the misfortune of another.
Schadenfreude had been mentioned on the following television shows and movies:
Boston Legal, Sarah Silverman, Gigli, the Colbert Report, Two and a Half Men, and Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story.
On Boston Legal, one of the characters, Alan Shore, talked of an experiment that demonstrated that the pleasure centers of the brain are stimulated while experiencing schadenfreude. Endorphins kick in and people feel good, at least temporarily.
Why do people gossip? Because it makes them feel good!
Think about all of the reality shows on television. What keeps us entertained up until to the last two people competing? When you are watching America’s funniest videos, do you ever notice much of the humor is about people are falling off of horses or off of roof tops or other things that can create physical harm?
I love to watch Adam Sandler’s movies and the movies made starring some of his buddies. But have you ever noticed that there is always someone getting thrown to the ground, punched, or beat up in some way in those movies? Yet they are funny to me and many other people.
People respond to these movies because of the concept of Schadenfreude.
In almost any comedy today you see produced for television or the movies you will experience taking joy in the misfortune of others.
Where does stress fit into the concept of schadenfreude?
Stress, sometimes called “core stress” begins when your actions and your fundamental belief systems are in conflict.
For example: Your best friend asks you to take illegal drugs. Let us assume that your fundamental belief system is such that you would never take illegal drugs. However, this is your best friend, and you want to please your best friend. Whether you take the drugs or walk away from your friend, you will be experiencing stress, as your actions and belief systems came in conflict at the first insistence that you take drugs by your best friend.
Back in 1959, I was entering the 7th grade. In October of 1959, our physical education teacher, Mr. Zange, began class on the track located on Spain Field, outside of our junior high school.
Mr. Zange had set up low hurdles as his lesson for the day was to teach us how to run the hurdles.
At the same time he was setting up for class, I was just about ready to leave my house for school when my Mother cornered me and gave me a quick lesson to take with me to school.
She said, “Wayne, never laugh at someone else’s mistake.” “It is very unkind to make fun of people when they fail at something.” “By laughing at someone else’s mistake, you will end up making the same mistake.” “It all evens out in the end.”
As I got on the school bus that morning I thought about those words and I really didn’t know why she even mentioned that lesson to me. I figured this lesson must be important or she would not have made such a point to tell me just before I was getting on my school bus.
Once I arrived at Dundee Junior High School, I reported to Mr. Zange’s PE class. Once dressed, I went outside and Mr. Zange led us out to the track located around the football field. He told us to form a line and I lined up first. Behind me was my friend, “Bob.” Now Bob really is not his real name as I do not risk hurting his feelings as he is still alive.
Mr. Zange gave a quick demonstration on how to jump over the low hurdles. He asked me if I was ready to try it first and I thought it looked pretty easy so I said, “yes.”
Behind me, Bob was laughing, saying I would never be able to jump the low hurdle.
I ran and jumped and knocked over the hurdle. Bob was laughing so hard he was doubled over in hysterics. (Or schadenfreude as I will call it now)
I was embarrassed but I returned to the end of the line to get ready for a second try.
Now it was Bob’s turn to jump the hurdle.
At that moment I wanted to begin laughing. After all, I was 11 years old and that is what 11 year olds do. I should laugh at the expense of others, experience joy or pleasure from the misfortune of others. I could feel my endorphins beginning to kick in.
Just as I began to laugh at Bob, I remembered what my Mother said to me on the way to school. She said, “Wayne, never laugh at someone else’s mistake.” “It is very unkind to make fun of people when they fail at something.” “By laughing at someone else’s mistake, you will end up making the same mistake.” “It all evens out in the end.”
Now I actually had a frown on my face as Bob made his attempt over the low hurdle. Bob not only tripped over the hurdle but he fell so hard he broke his arm. His arm ended up being the most hideous thing I ever saw either before or since.
It was a compound fracture and his arm looked like the letter “Z.”
Mr. Zange, quickly came to Bob’s aid and carried him to the nurses office while they waited for an ambulance to take Bob to the emergency room.
I learned a lesson from my Mother about not practicing “schadenfreude.” It was a lesson well learned as Bob had a severe consequence as a result of the accident at school.
In society, we value being fair to others and we are told to support one another.
My belief system became one of not saying things to hurt another person, however I have said things both before and after this incident that have hurt other people. I have experienced schadenfreude, and thanks to my Mother, the stress associated with conflicts between my beliefs and my actions.
Schadenfreude Stress Annihilation Exercise:
Think about situations in your relationships where what you believe in differs from your actions? In what situations in your job do you experience “schadenfreude?” What television programs do you find examples of “schadenfreude?”
Do you understand how your stress can be elevated by actively participating in the situations involving schadenfreude?” Think about things you can do this week to lessen the effects of schadenfreude and the stress associated with your conflict of beliefs and actions.
1. What can you eliminate or avoid in regards to schadenfreude in your personal relationships?
2. What schadenfreude activities can you eliminate on your job?
3. What actions will you take in regards to watching television programs and movies?
If you are aware of schadenfreude, you can annihilate stress associated with this phenomenon.
Summary:
Schadenfreude or taking joy from the misfortune of others is common in many areas of your life. It sets you up for core stress because it creates conflict between your fundamental belief system and your actions. Reducing schadenfreude in your life will help you annihilate stress and propagate hope.
Wayne F. Perkins, Stress Annihilator
Do you want to annihilate stress in our life? Click here for my new audio cd system!
"Annihilate Stress And Propagate Hope."
Do you have all the support you need from friends, associates, and loved ones?
I am going out on a limb here and say, I will bet you do not have all the support you need from friends, associates and loved ones. On the surface, people will talk about all the support they are getting from others; however in most cases this is just not true.
One major reason is a concept called schadenfreude.
What is schadenfreude?
Schadenfreude is a German word meaning “pleasure taken from someone else’s misfortune.” It derives from schaden, meaning “damage or harm,” and freude meaning “joy.”
From Answers.com I found some interesting facts about Schadenfreude.
The concept of schadenfreude is not uniquely German, however. Almost every language in Europe has a word with the same meaning. There are even words that have the same meaning in Greek and Arabic. “Som nam na, can be translated as “I am laughing at your bad luck,” in the native Thai language. Go so ha da, in Korean translates as one who is pleased about an event involving the misfortune of another.
Schadenfreude had been mentioned on the following television shows and movies:
Boston Legal, Sarah Silverman, Gigli, the Colbert Report, Two and a Half Men, and Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story.
On Boston Legal, one of the characters, Alan Shore, talked of an experiment that demonstrated that the pleasure centers of the brain are stimulated while experiencing schadenfreude. Endorphins kick in and people feel good, at least temporarily.
Why do people gossip? Because it makes them feel good!
Think about all of the reality shows on television. What keeps us entertained up until to the last two people competing? When you are watching America’s funniest videos, do you ever notice much of the humor is about people are falling off of horses or off of roof tops or other things that can create physical harm?
I love to watch Adam Sandler’s movies and the movies made starring some of his buddies. But have you ever noticed that there is always someone getting thrown to the ground, punched, or beat up in some way in those movies? Yet they are funny to me and many other people.
People respond to these movies because of the concept of Schadenfreude.
In almost any comedy today you see produced for television or the movies you will experience taking joy in the misfortune of others.
Where does stress fit into the concept of schadenfreude?
Stress, sometimes called “core stress” begins when your actions and your fundamental belief systems are in conflict.
For example: Your best friend asks you to take illegal drugs. Let us assume that your fundamental belief system is such that you would never take illegal drugs. However, this is your best friend, and you want to please your best friend. Whether you take the drugs or walk away from your friend, you will be experiencing stress, as your actions and belief systems came in conflict at the first insistence that you take drugs by your best friend.
Back in 1959, I was entering the 7th grade. In October of 1959, our physical education teacher, Mr. Zange, began class on the track located on Spain Field, outside of our junior high school.
Mr. Zange had set up low hurdles as his lesson for the day was to teach us how to run the hurdles.
At the same time he was setting up for class, I was just about ready to leave my house for school when my Mother cornered me and gave me a quick lesson to take with me to school.
She said, “Wayne, never laugh at someone else’s mistake.” “It is very unkind to make fun of people when they fail at something.” “By laughing at someone else’s mistake, you will end up making the same mistake.” “It all evens out in the end.”
As I got on the school bus that morning I thought about those words and I really didn’t know why she even mentioned that lesson to me. I figured this lesson must be important or she would not have made such a point to tell me just before I was getting on my school bus.
Once I arrived at Dundee Junior High School, I reported to Mr. Zange’s PE class. Once dressed, I went outside and Mr. Zange led us out to the track located around the football field. He told us to form a line and I lined up first. Behind me was my friend, “Bob.” Now Bob really is not his real name as I do not risk hurting his feelings as he is still alive.
Mr. Zange gave a quick demonstration on how to jump over the low hurdles. He asked me if I was ready to try it first and I thought it looked pretty easy so I said, “yes.”
Behind me, Bob was laughing, saying I would never be able to jump the low hurdle.
I ran and jumped and knocked over the hurdle. Bob was laughing so hard he was doubled over in hysterics. (Or schadenfreude as I will call it now)
I was embarrassed but I returned to the end of the line to get ready for a second try.
Now it was Bob’s turn to jump the hurdle.
At that moment I wanted to begin laughing. After all, I was 11 years old and that is what 11 year olds do. I should laugh at the expense of others, experience joy or pleasure from the misfortune of others. I could feel my endorphins beginning to kick in.
Just as I began to laugh at Bob, I remembered what my Mother said to me on the way to school. She said, “Wayne, never laugh at someone else’s mistake.” “It is very unkind to make fun of people when they fail at something.” “By laughing at someone else’s mistake, you will end up making the same mistake.” “It all evens out in the end.”
Now I actually had a frown on my face as Bob made his attempt over the low hurdle. Bob not only tripped over the hurdle but he fell so hard he broke his arm. His arm ended up being the most hideous thing I ever saw either before or since.
It was a compound fracture and his arm looked like the letter “Z.”
Mr. Zange, quickly came to Bob’s aid and carried him to the nurses office while they waited for an ambulance to take Bob to the emergency room.
I learned a lesson from my Mother about not practicing “schadenfreude.” It was a lesson well learned as Bob had a severe consequence as a result of the accident at school.
In society, we value being fair to others and we are told to support one another.
My belief system became one of not saying things to hurt another person, however I have said things both before and after this incident that have hurt other people. I have experienced schadenfreude, and thanks to my Mother, the stress associated with conflicts between my beliefs and my actions.
Schadenfreude Stress Annihilation Exercise:
Think about situations in your relationships where what you believe in differs from your actions? In what situations in your job do you experience “schadenfreude?” What television programs do you find examples of “schadenfreude?”
Do you understand how your stress can be elevated by actively participating in the situations involving schadenfreude?” Think about things you can do this week to lessen the effects of schadenfreude and the stress associated with your conflict of beliefs and actions.
1. What can you eliminate or avoid in regards to schadenfreude in your personal relationships?
2. What schadenfreude activities can you eliminate on your job?
3. What actions will you take in regards to watching television programs and movies?
If you are aware of schadenfreude, you can annihilate stress associated with this phenomenon.
Summary:
Schadenfreude or taking joy from the misfortune of others is common in many areas of your life. It sets you up for core stress because it creates conflict between your fundamental belief system and your actions. Reducing schadenfreude in your life will help you annihilate stress and propagate hope.
Wayne F. Perkins, Stress Annihilator
Do you want to annihilate stress in our life? Click here for my new audio cd system!
"Annihilate Stress And Propagate Hope."
Saturday, May 12, 2007
7 Ways to Annihilate Cell Phone Stress by Wayne Perkins
Every day we use cellular telephones. We place calls, text message, plan our day and receive calls on our cell phones.
We also observe other people walking down the street seemingly hard wired to their cell phones. Just go to in any restaurant in the United States, sit down for a quiet dinner, and you will soon be barraged by cell phone conversations. When you get up from you table to go to the restroom, you will hear other people in stalls talking on their cell phones.
Does this create more stress in your life? Yes it does.
Do people who are constantly on their cell phones experience more stress than those of us who are unplugged? I think so. They feel that they “have to” have their cell phones on at all times or they will miss out on something extremely important.
Your cell phone can be your biggest enemy in your war against stress or it can be your greatest ally.
In the midst of all of this cell phone stress and tension, I have created a program to enable you to annihilate stress with your cell phone.
Cell Phone Stress Annihilation Program
Most of the stress that we encounter during the day is core stress. Core stress is what occurs every time you “have to” do something rather than “want to do” something.
Example #1: “Tomorrow is Monday and I will “have to” go to work. Going to work is a “have to” or a core stress associated task.
Example #2: “Tomorrow our bonus checks are coming in.” “I want to go to work, tomorrow.” You may be going to the same job, however, since you are going to work to receive your bonus check, you have annihilated stress with your “want to” attitude rather than the “have to” attitude in example 1.
Back to the restaurant
Now you are back at the restaurant, sitting down and enjoying your dinner. You are treated to someone in a loud voice saying into his cell phone, “can you hear me now?”
Then in a littler louder voice he says, “Can you hear me now?”
You are on the receiving end of core stress. In fact you are the recipient of the cell phone user’s stress. You “have to” listen to this person’s voice. You wanted to sit down and eat at the restaurant. Your “want to” attitude now has changed, because of the fact that you “have to” listen to this loud person.
In order to change your attitude you must get back into the “want to” mindset. Yes, this is easier said then done, but you want to do this anyway.
Simply focus on your table your place setting and the people sitting with you and take three slow deep breaths. Now think to yourself, “I want to be at this restaurant.” “I am relaxing and I am in charge of my own attitude.” “It is up to me to have an enjoyable time here at the restaurant.”
You may want to remember that people who are hardwired to their cell phones are experiencing great amounts of stress. They fear failure in that they think that they will lose something of great value if they do not respond using their phones, and they feel rejection. They feel may feel they will lose someone of great importance whether that be a friend, a business associate or a potential client. Fear is what is driving these people to keep their phones in every part of their everyday lives.
Make sure you do not let these strangers’ fears become contagious. Keep breathing deeply and relaxing and enjoy your dinner.
How Can I Change the Way I React to My Cell Phone?
Cell phones like computers are here to stay. They come in handy for emergencies and represented our businesses and our lives “in a box.” (A very small box I might add)
You can change the way you react toward your cell phone and actually create one of the best tools for annihilating stress at the same time.
Cell Phone Stress Annihilation Exercise
My cell phone is manufactured by Samsung and is three years old. I use Verizon Wireless as my carrier.
I understand that many of you have the features I will talk about but many of you may not. You may find by experimenting that you have many additional features that will help you annihilate stress. All of you have some of the features that will turn your cell phone from a stress creating device into a stress annihilating tool.
I have found 7 features of my cell phone that will annihilate stress.
1. Your visual cell phone recognition: As you locate your cell phone visually on your desk, your night stand, or the front seat of your car, take a long slow deep breath like this.
Inhale slowly….hold it…now let it out. Let all of the tension to leave your body now.
Use your cell phone as an anchoring device for your deep breathing. Whenever you are in a stressful situation, breathing shallows. By practicing deep breathing each and every time your visually look at your cell phone, you will be annihilating any stress that may be lurking in your body at this time.
2. The next feature of the cell phone stress annihilator is located in your daily planner. Many cell phones include a planner that is used much like a palm pilot planner.
The first item located in my planner is a “to do list.” If you have located your planner enter the word “Breathe” as your top item on the list. After all, Dr. Andrew Weil the famous health doctor believes that deep breathing, at intervals several times a day is the best exercise you can do for both your mind and body. Let Dr Weil be our guide. If you are like me and have trouble spelling words with your little keypad, just type the letter “B” for “breathe.”
When you are using your cell phone, check your “to do” list and breathe.
3. Another feature of my cell phone planner is the “memo pad.” Here I can write the word “breathe” or include a “b” as well. This is a personal memo from me reminding me to breathe.
One thing I do for motivation rather than use breathe or b is I typed in the following words, “I believe in you, Butch.” Butch was my best friend and died shortly after he got out of the Marines about 30 years ago. I like to use the phrase as an affirmation that I can accomplish anything I want to accomplish. By entering in “I believe in you and putting his name it helps me feel I am not alone and Butch will help me enjoy my success.
Is there anyone in your life, a parent, grandparent, a favorite uncle or best friend who is not around anymore but you know in your heart would support your decisions? If so why not use your memory of them to help you annihilate stress?
4. Another feature of my cell phone is a “voice memo.” I can record up to 60 seconds on my voice memo. In 60 seconds I can give myself a little exercise in deep breathing or I can give myself a short motivational presentation. If you are in sales you may use it for your “elevator speech,” or what you say during your introductory call.
5. Voice Mail: If you need more than 60 seconds, you might call your voice mail and record your stress annihilation exercise or motivational speech in voice mail so you have to option to listen to it anytime you feel you need it.
6. Text messages. You can send text messages to anyone you desire including yourself. Why not text yourself a message, “Remember to breathe deeply and relax today?”
7. The main purpose of a cell phone is to call other people. For exercise number 7 in my cell phone stress annihilation program, as you dial your telephone and are waiting for it to make a connection, ring or as you wait for your call recipient to pick up or for the call to go into voice mail, take a long, slow deep breath and relax. Again, remember to breathe deeply as you begin you telephone conversation. You will find your mind sharp, alert and focused on your cell phone call. As you relax, you will find your memory more acute than it is when you are stressed.
Summary:
You can experience stress just by going to a nice restaurant at dinner time thanks to people who are using their cell phones and conversing in loud conversations. The lesson from this is that you can use your cell phone as a stress annihilation tool. You learned 7 ways to use your cell-phone as a successful stress annihilator. Use as many of these tips as you can daily and enjoy a more stress free life!
Thank you,
Wayne F. Perkins
Stress Annihilator
Phone: 602-647-4280
www.stressannihilation.com
Do you want to annihilate stress in your life. Click here for my new audio CD program!
"Annihilate stress and propagate hope."--Wayne F. Perkins
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Tip 1 In Annihilating Stress at Work
The best tip I can give you in annihilation stress at work is to understand that if you do not actually own the business, than the job you are doing is not really "your job." It is just "a" job.
Too many people get so caught up in things they cannnot change about the company they work for. Every time a compensation program changes or their job description changes, they live through a great amount of stress.
The best way to avoid the stress is to avoid taking ownership for things you do not own. Understand that other people, the ones that actually own the business have the right to change anything they want including what they pay you, how many hours you work, and if they want to sell the company or move it 5000 miles away.
Enjoy "a" job and not "your" job and you will find yourself enjoying your job and annihilating job stress.
Wayne F. Perkins
Stress Annihilator
Do you want to annihilate stress right now. Wayne has just created a new audio CD program just for you! Click here now!
"Annihilater Stress and Propagate Hope"
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
