When you wake up, is your heart already beating harder than it should be, and everything you have to do racing through your mind? And then, you add coffee on top of that! You rush, rush, rush to take care of everything, shove a hamburger down your throat and then you’re off to the next thing.

According to the American Psychological Association, 77% of Americans have experienced the physical symptoms of stress: fatigue, headaches, upset stomachs, muscle tension, changes in appetite and change in sex drive. Not to mention, the psychological symptoms of irritability, anger, nervousness and a lack of energy.

Our world is so fast-paced it has replaced sleep, rest and relaxation with endless texting, emails, Red Bull and other caffeine products. Does this sound like you or like something you want to be a part of? Is this how you want to live? Uh, heck no!

The house I grew up in was always so tense, there was never any peace. Even when I slept it was not peaceful, because I was sleeping in fear of my stepfather coming into my room again and abusing me. My body was trained to be a big ball of stress as a child.

When I grew up, I not only worked crazy work hours, but I was constantly shouting orders to my kids, “Go, go, go! We’ve got to hurry! Let’s go!” Not only did I end up giving myself a heart attack, but I was grooming my kids to be fast-paced stress balls as well. Stress is a habit! And it is learned and passed on to our kids.

So how do you relieve stress in your life? Well, the old saying is true. Laughter really is the best medicine. And I don’t just mean watching a comedy movie every now and then. I mean legitimately scheduling fun into your life!

When was the last time you flirted with your spouse? Went even one evening without constantly checking your phone? Giggling and flirting with your spouse not only inspires laughter but it relieves stress! If you’re married and have felt the effects of stress in your sex drive, that has probably put added stress into your relationship. If you and your spouse do not have a weekly date night, that needs to change.

If you are single, you still need to schedule fun time! Laughter is a proven de-stressor. Most people’s idea of “de-stressing” is plopping in front of the TV with a snack or drink. But here’s the thing, TV doesn’t count! It doesn’t relieve the stress, it just helps you forget about it for awhile. When you go to bed that stress is still there, along with  a few extra pounds from those snacks.

Today, turn off your work brain, your to-do list, shut down your email and have fun with the people you care about: Your kids, your spouse, your close friends. Everyone needs more laughter and fun in their life. And it’s okay to slow down sometimes and take a break! It doesn’t always have to be go, go, go!

Are there hobbies, activities or de-stressors you’ve cut out of your life that you used to love? Today I want to encourage you to make time for those things again in your life. Let’s all start having more fun in our lives.

Tell me about what you like to do for fun! Are you going to schedule more time for that after today’s message? Leave me your comments and don’t forget to Like and Share this with your friends. Pass this call for joy and laughter around…your friends and family need to laugh, too!

Let’s keep talking and having fun! Join us today at lunchtime for The Dani Johnson Show at 12 pm ET/11 pm CT. You can tune into the show on either your TV or radio and please remember you can always stream today’s show right on our website.

In great faith,

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