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Relaxation or Asphyxiation

Many readers know that when you email with a personal question, I usually try to give some targeted ideas or advice. In addition, I paste the "Stress Doc's Stress Tips." (For a copy, email or you can find them on my website -- http://www.stressdoc.com; click on "Practice Safe Stress," then click "Humor >From The Edge" in the framesindex.) Now one of the stress tips was supplied months ago by a reader. I called the tip -- "Discover the meditative and sensual mode." Here's her modus operandi:

"I usually put myself into stressful situations (I can't help it! I thrive on stress!) I know that stress will catch up with me in the end so I have discovered the best cure for the time-challenged. When I notice a panic attack or fatigue from stress setting in, I put everything to the side. I grab my portable radio and my Smashing Pumpkins, "Siamese Dream" tape. I plug it up in my bathroom and turn off the lights. I light a variety of candles throughout the room and take a warm bath. If my stress is way out of hand, I eat an apple and drink a glass of milk while in the bath. I take the mood from the lighting and from the smooth sound of the Pumpkins. Usually, after soaking for 25 minutes, I drain the water and stay in the tub, surrounding myself in happy thoughts. Once the tub is nearly drained, I get out, energized by the calm of the previous half hour. That charges me to finish the work that I set aside and it gives me a peace to finish things for the rest of the month (or longer)! It's my happy time!"

Light and Dark

Well, it certainly sounded stress relieving to me though, truth be told, I had not tested precisely her blissful surround sound & light show. Well one of our readers boldly explored the farther reaches of "Safe Stress"...and put the sensorial scenario/strategy to the test (with some minor variations). The implication is clear: "Stress relieving hedonists beware!" Let Joan explain:

"I tried the relaxing bath in an attempt to rinse off the stress of a horrible week. We have a real deep tub - the kind where you can sit in water up to your chin - with whirlpool jets and everything. We use it about once a year. The tub sits in its own little alcove, surrounded on three sides by walls. So I filled the tub, dumped in a bunch of aromatherapy bath salt stuff, got all the candles I could find and placed them around the sides of the tub. In I went. I had a book, I had music, I had my Coca Cola (can't do anything without my Coca Cola), I had my bath pillow. And there I sat, totally relaxed, steam rolling off the top of the water, candles flickering, flickering, flickering...........using up all the oxygen........ Gasping for breath, I managed to blow out the candles just before losing consciousness. In the future, I'll eliminate the candles, I think.

Joan, for such undaunted courage, of course, you are immediately inducted into the Stress Doc's StressBusters Club. For the rest of you...As my professional liability insurance does not cover reader or client injury or death by asphyxiation, partake in this self-indulgence at your own risk. (But feel free to send pictures. Just kidding ;-) And, of course, Practice Safe Stress!

Feedback Segment: How about sharing your thoughts on how you, friends or colleagues use humor in dealing with stress, conflict or moods, yours or others, in your personal life, at home or at work? HFTE will run the best stories and, of course, credit you. (And the real lagniappe, you become a member of the Stress Doc's StressBusters Club.) Also, email me to learn more about "The Stress Doc's" upcoming serious and humorous on-line support/chat group -- "The Frequent Sighers Club.

Mark Gorkin, "The Stress Doc," Licensed Clinical Social Worker, is a nationally recognized speaker, workshop leader and author on stress, reorganizational change, anger, team building, creativity and humor. The Stress Doc is a columnist for the popular cyber-newsletter, Humor From The Edge -- <A HREF="http://members.aol.com/rkestep/index.htm">HUMOR FROM THE EDGE HOME PAGE</A> . Mark is also the "Online Psychohumorist" for the major AOL mental health resource network, Online Psych -- <A HREF="aol://4344:972.stress .1277273.543794536">ONLINE PSYCH: THE STRESS DOC</A> and Financial Services Journal Online -- http://fsc.fsonline.com/fsj . His motto: Have Stress? Will Travel! Reach "The Doc" at (202) 232-8662, email: Stress Doc@aol.com, or check out his website: http://www.stressdoc.com or click <A HREF="http://www.stressdoc.com/">STRESS DOC HOMEPAGE</A>