Cheryl Nason is both a credible, quotable source on job stress and wellness and an author of related articles, some of which have been made available for the public domain.

Topics of expertise include:
• Preparing for the Possibility of Violence in the Workplace
• Managing Job Stress
• Humor and Stress Reduction
• Humor in the Work Environment
• Dealing With Differences in the Workplace
• Conflict Resolution
• Communication
• Change Management
• Style Differences
• Corporate Wellness
• Presentation Skills
• More!

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Recent Articles

How good is your “humorology?”
Do you know the answers to these questions?
Why is laughing at yourself considered a good thing?”
What percentage of people view their job as the number one stressor in their lives?
How many thoughts does the average adult have each day?
How many are negative?
How many times a day do children laugh?
How many times a day does the average adult laugh?
Is laughter good for your health?
How many calories does laughing burn?

Medical conditions caused by mismanaged stress and strain are major health care cost issues for business organizations. There is a growing body of evidence – and with it, recognition – that something as seemingly frivolous as humor can actually lower both staff and patient stress levels. Utilization of humor strategies and techniques has been found to improve patient/nurse/doctor relationships, aid in pain management as well as improve staff communication, teamwork, productivity and cohesion within the whole hospital organization. Laughter is not only good medicine, it is also good business.

According to Dr. Frank Prevost, a psychotherapist at Western University, “When people have the ability to laugh at themselves, they start to develop a different attitude. They become more effective in life. It’s a kind of paradox. Until they can really accept their shortcomings, they can’t go out and do
what they’re capable of.”

A survey done by Northwestern National Life shows 25% of the individuals surveyed view their job as the number one stressor in their lives. Seven out of ten workers experience stress-related illness often, roughly three in ten have thought about quitting because of stress, and another three in ten say their work is the single greatest cause of stress in their lives. Sources of job-related stress include: attitude toward the job and whether the employee believes the work is meaningful. Additional job stress may come from: time management, conflicts with coworkers or problems balancing work and personal life.

Stress often gets a bad rap. Stress keeps one from being in neutral. The only body with no stress is a dead one. Stress can keep us healthy, keep us on our toes, motivate us, keep us challenged and keep things interesting. The trick is not to get rid of stress, but to manage it to your
advantage. Easy to say, but hard to do.

Job stress and the strain associated with it interferes with objectivity and clouds judgment. Because laughter and play have been shown to relax tense people, humor may be the ultimate weapon for combating job stress and preventing burnout. Research has shown that the positive emotions such as hope, faith, love and laughter have a positive effect on health. By utilizing an appropriate mix of humor, laughter and play an individual can change their perception of events and secure a degree of momentary calm. This is a critical issue for all of those who work in the healthcare environment as caregivers, physicians or ancillary staff.

Is laughter good for your health? Of course it is! Physiological research shows that laughter stabilizes blood pressure, massages internal organs, facilitates digestion, increases oxygen supply to the muscles, stimulates circulation, decreases muscle tension and promotes a general, overall sense of well-being. Laugh Aerobics? “Not as silly or far fetched as it sounds,” says, Dr. William Fry Jr., of the Department of Psychiatry at the Stanford Medical School. Fry found that 20 seconds of laughter is the cardiovascular equivalent of 3 minutes of strenuous exercise! The average adult burns 78 times more calories laughing than just sitting!

Humor, used judiciously, can help individuals maintain the perspective necessary for successful decision making. Humor principles can be taught and workplace health is likely to improve as a result. Don’t leave the positives to chance! Build humor into your daily work environment and reap the benefits!

Cheryl Nason is a professional speaker and master communicator. She is the author of The Fun Factor: Your Prescription for Stress Relief at Work and at Home. This book is approved for 3 contact hours by the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses, and accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

The book is available online at www.core-publishing.com.

Past Articles

Cheryl Nason is a fluid, avid writer of magazine, newspaper columns and op-ed pieces related to managing job stress, communication, wellness, workplace violence, conflict resolution, and behavior style differences in the workplace. Below is a sample of her past work.

Shaping Up-
Monthly Fitness columnist for The Arlington Citizen Journal (Subsidiary of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram)

“Swimming Is Tip-Top For Summer Shape-Up”
“Diet, Exercise Alleviate ‘Jet Lag”
“Be summer Fit But Careful of the Heat”
“Exercise Can Ease Back Pain”

Texas Woman’s News-Health/Wellness columnist

“Make Your New Year’s Fitness Resolutions Realistic”
“Buddy System Pairs Exercise and Fun”
“Short Exercise Breaks…Prescription for Productivity”

On Living Well
Monthly Lifestyle/Wellness columnist for The Arlington News

“Looking at The Serious Side of Laughter”
“Sighting Signs of Stress In Children”
“Feeling Bored? Try Something New….For A Change!”
“Exercising In Tub Reduces Stress and Strain”
“Finesse In Dealing With the Boss Has Distinct Benefits”
“New Year’s Resolutions: Making Them and Breaking Them.”
“Travelers Need to Carefully Plan Ahead to Cope with Disasters”
“Laughter May Be the Best Medicine”

Dallas Times Herald

“Before You Hit the Slopes”
“Aquacize: Plunge Right in and Get Fit”
“The Shape You’re in—Pre-natal to Post Partum”

Journal of Fitness, Health and Psychology

“Opening Your Own Calcium Bank Account”

The Grand Prairie Daily News

“How to Interest Children in Physical Fitness

Feelin’ Fit
Regular Health and Lifestyle columnist The Franklin News Record (A Subsidiary of the Princeton Packet Syndicate in Princeton, New Jersey)

“Past Dental Cures Make Today’s Visit Much More Inviting”
“Exercise Needed In Child’s Life”
“Exercises Help Ease Soreness of Gardening”

To talk to Cheryl about an article you need
written or are writing.
Call 817-461-1267