Celebrate the Little Things!

I just have to take a moment to say "wah-hoo!" I filled up my car yesterday for less than $20. :-)

The price was $1.33 per gallon. We haven't seen prices that low since the May 2003!

KISS AWAY STRESS!

According to an MSN news report, the holiday season is the time of year when you are most likely to die from a heart attack. According to research at the University of California, the deadliest day of the year (in terms of cardiac related deaths) is Christmas Day! MSN gave some great ideas for beating seasonal stress (all apparently backed up by the latest research). Here are a few:

• Eat dark chocolate. (The flavenoids in cocoa relax your body's blood vessels.)
• Kiss or hug. (Doing so raises levels of oxycotin which lowers stress, anxiety and blood pressure.)
• Eat fish--especially salmon. :-) (People with high levels of omega-3 fatty acids are happier, less impulsive, and more agreeable.)
• Add lots of garlic to your food. (Garlic's main ingredient, organosulfur allicin, relaxes blood vessels.)

I am definitely on board with items 1 through 3 since I love dark chocolate, salmon (see previous blog entry), kisses and hugs. Who knew de-stressing could be so enjoyable! I guess I am good with item 4 as well, but think I'll avoid item 4 and then item 2 in close succession. ;-)

My seasonal stress actually has more to do with finals week at the college than with holiday shopping, travel, etc. I think the best way for me to beat stress would be to forget about grading exams and just give all my students A's-- do you think that would comprmise my academic integrity?