Summer Sorensen

It seems inevitable.

The moment I allow stress to be the dominant factor in my life, my sense of humor goes out the window.

Instead of finding things to chuckle about, I overthink the details of life’s pending circumstances–few of which I can control.

Rather than finding ways to make others laugh, I retreat inward, mulling over “what happens if this?,” or “how do I affect that outcome?”

It turns me from my naturally silly self to more of grumpy pants.

Thus begins a vicious cycle: more internal worry and obsession, greater self-involvement, less of the fun stuff that, ironically, ends up moving the needle on the big things.

Yes, I believe that humor makes a bigger difference than worry.

When we’re in a light-hearted mood, our guards are down. The positive mindset that results often leads to cracking jokes that bring others’ guards down.

When guards are down, things get real. Bonding happens. Relationships are deepened–often unintentionally.

Building relationships leads to outcomes that never would have happened without them–personally and professionally.

But let’s bring it back to stress. Stress is often the result of feeling out of control. Humor is the result of seeing the entertaining element of a situation.

One is self-focused. The other looks for the good outside of oneself.

For me, noticing that stress squeezes out my default humorous outlook is the first step.

So what to do? The answer is not “avoid stress.” That’s not possible.

I think, if I can notice my stress, I can also take steps to affect a mindset that directs it to more productive ends. Our mindsets are far more powerful than we often realize, for good or bad.

As much as I love the severe stomach aches that come from acute stress and anxiety, I’m good with fending them off.

What if we took the time to name what’s causing the stress? Then, what if, we listed things that are within our control and things that are not.

A final check would be to ask, “Have I done everything in my power within the realm of things I can control?” If the answer is yes, sometimes the next best thing is to realize that waiting to see what happens next, while moving on to something else, is a fine option.

One more thing, and I’ll say this as a person of faith — you may or may not relate, but it wouldn’t be honest for me to leave out: earnest and continual prayer for peace, wisdom, and clarity ranks high in my order of operations. Skipping that step defeats the purpose of the exercise, for me.

So is it inevitable that stress overpowers levity? No.

With a mindful approach to managing stress, I believe it’s possible to let important things that cause stress, and a light-hearted outlook, co-exist.

I’m writing this because I want to test that theory. Ask me about how it’s going sometime. I’d love the accountability.