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The Sword of Stress and the Humor Shield
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David M. Jacobson - LCSW -- Expert on Leadership, Humor & Health David M. Jacobson - LCSW -- Expert on Leadership, Humor & Health
For Immediate Release:
Dateline: Tucson, AZ
Sunday, January 29, 2023

 

Ever been stabbed by the sword of stress? Chances are you have. An unexpected big item bill for a broken car, air conditioner, furnace, water heater, etc. Perhaps a job loss, divorce, wallet lost, or another etc. When you are about to get stabbed by an etc. Raise your humor shield!
We all get stressed out and overwhelmed. The amount of tension that goes along with the bad times, Even in good times like the holiday season can be too much for most to handle. What can you do to survive the stress?
When you’re feeling stressed, think: What would George Carlin do in this situation? The answer isn’t, “Nothing he’s dead.” If he was alive, he would probably laugh at that answer. The real answer is he would have looked for the humor in the situation. Research shows that those who can look at things from a humorous perspective are better able to handle higher amounts of stress. Statistics also show that 98% of people who are stressed out, left their humor shield at home. Okay maybe I made that one up and no researcher asked people if they left their humor shield at home, but if they did, this is probably what the statistic would show. Using your humor shield to cope with stress has many benefits. Research shows that those that use humor to cope with stress have less heart attacks and are less likely to be stabbed by a sword as well. Humor will also increase your chances of winning a lottery, although actual results vary. How do you use humor as a shield?
Be on the lookout for potentially humorous situations. Look for humor in every potential stressful situation. It’s our reactions, that is, our thoughts and feelings that determine if we become stressed, not the situation itself. I call this the half habit. I explain the ½ habit in my book: 7 1/2 Habits To Help You Become More Humorous, Happier & Healthier. Instead of getting angry waiting in line, expect to wait in lines, because it is inevitable. Plane delayed. Why are you so surprised and upset? How often are planes delayed? Watch other people while waiting. Make up stories in your head of what their thinking or doing. “Hey, that guy in line is probably an undercover sociologist watching me to see if I’ll get mad because this line is moving too slow,” etc.
Find some humorous websites. There are a bunch of them out there. There is even an association devoted to the positive benefits of humor: The Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor: www.aath.org

So next time you see that sword swinging toward you, laugh and raise your humor shield!

David Jacobson is a professional speaker on leadership, team building, humor and health and overcoming trauma. He is the former Chief of Social Work of the Phoenix VA where he assisted in improving their mental health system. He also is the former Social Work Manager at University Medical Center who worked with the patients and families of trauma's including the tragic shooting event in Tucson that happened at his hospital January 8th, 2011. For over 30 years David, has provided his expertise on leadership, humor and health related topics to audiences around the country and served on the Board of Directors of the Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor. He has been featured internationally by various media outlets, including magazines, journals and television from London to Seoul, Korea. He is the award winning author of "7 1/2 Habits To Help You Become More Humorous, Happier & Healthier."

David Jacobson suffered many losses early in his life including a diagnosis with a severe form of arthritis at 22 in 1980. Since then, he has become a living example that you can accomplish anything if you truly believe in yourself. Through his years of struggling with chronic pain, he developed humor techniques that got him through the hard times. He now teaches these skills to audiences around the country in his keynotes and workshops which as entertaining as they are educational.

His many honors include a "President's Award" from Flashnet Marketing, Inc. , A Lifetime Achievement Award and a "National Hero Overcoming Arthritis" award by the Arthritis Foundation National Office for completing a 50 mile unicycle ride at a fund raising event and the Wayne Washburn Memorial Award which reads as follows "We all need someone or something to inspire us to bring out our best. You are that someone"

For the past twenty years, Mr. Jacobson has worked as a hospital administrator in addition to his writing, speaking career. <iframe src="https://www.gigmasters.com/requestquote?type=portable&memberId=28935" width="350" height="626" style="border:0;margin:16px;"></iframe>

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News Media Interview Contact
Name: David M. Jacobson, MSW
Title: President
Group: Humor Horizons
Dateline: Tucson, AZ United States
Direct Phone: 520-982-6868
Main Phone: 5209826868
Cell Phone: 520-982-6868
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