Relax - Het leven is al zo kort

by Loretta LaRoche

Als stressmanagementconsultant weet Loretta LaRoche als geen ander hoe belangrijk ontspannen en relativeren is. In dit onderhoudende boek met bladzijden vol adviezen en grappige gebeurtenissen komt haar enorme talent voor het zien van grappige details in zelfs de moeilijkste situaties scherper dan ooit naar voren. Het boek bevat praktische oefeningen, hilarische anekdotes en specifiek advies om te leren omgaan met het steeds maar toenemende stressniveau in het moderne dagelijkse leven - het is een hulpmiddel om zorgen tegen te gaan en meer plezier te krijgen. De schrijfster rekent af met onze voorliefde om onszelf al te serieus te nemen. Ze laat zien hoe we langer en gelukkiger kunnen leven dankzij de genezende werking van het absurde. Loretta LaRoche is beroepsmatig bezig met het promoten van humor, optimisme en veerkracht als levenskunst. Met behulp van haar geestigheid en wijsheid helpt ze mensen van stress hun kracht te maken en 'het geluk in het ongeluk' te vinden.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Humor, Psychology, Research, Comedy

186 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Loretta is an internationally recognized stress-management consultant. She is well-known for her outrageous one-woman shows that have sold out nationwide venues, including Boston Symphony Hall, The Hanover Theatre, Emerson Majestic, and Berkley Performing Arts Center. With over 35 years of experience, Loretta has toured with The Power Within, sharing the stage with great leaders like Arianna Huffington, Former President Bill Clinton, Ellen DeGeneres, and Tony Robbins.
Loretta's media presence is equally impressive, with seven one-woman television specials airing on PBS stations nationwide. Her work has garnered recognition, earning her nominations for local and prime-time Emmy Awards. Loretta has also made notable appearances on major news networks such as CNN, ABC, NBC, and FOX affiliates, further solidifying her credibility and reach.
Loretta's expertise lies in improving the health of organizations by alleviating stress through humor, leaving audiences happy and optimistic. Using her wit, she helps people learn how to take stress and turn it into strength. Advocating fun, optimism, and resiliency, Loretta is the go-to consultant for stress management and improving overall well-being.

Reviews

[Marc Lamot · Rating 2 out of 5]

A practical guide about taking distance from the rat race, getting yourself back on track. There must be thousands of this kind of books by now. It has a very American flavour: "I used to be that way, but now I have seen the light". Quite nice, but certainly not captivating. I got this book as a gift, and that in itself must be a hint, mustn't it? :).

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like reading books by Loretta LaRoche. She's funny and reminds me a little of Erma Bombeck, but with a self-help focus. I love that she tries to help people relieve stress in their lives by finding the humor in everyday situations.

This is a funny book, full of practical advice and great perspectives on life. It's a bit dated, mentioning Christopher Reeve as still living (he died in 2004) and referencing phone cords (I'm sure our girls would ask, what are those anyway?)

Although the book can be a bit preachy and somewhat redundant from her other books, it's always a good reminder to lighten up and take yourself less seriously. It's a quick read.

The book mentions a website, www.stressed.com, which actually just redirects you to another website, http://www.lorettalaroche.com/. She has an entertaining blog there.

I have the strangest coincidences while reading. I often mention it here, but it never ceases to amaze me. I noted the poem by Emily Dickinson on page 11 as worth mentioning here, and then after I finished this book, I started reading Three Wishes: A True Story of Good Friends, Crushing Heartbreak, and Astonishing Luck on Our Way to Love and Motherhood. The same poem is mentioned in that book. Very odd. Here is the poem:

"Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul.
And sings the tune without the words
And never stops at all."

interesting quotes:

"The art of joyful living is most accessible to those who seek to share their strengths and weaknesses with others in the celebration of their essential humanness." (p. 12)

"Several months ago I watched my granddaughter Erika dance naked in high heels in her living room. I thought, Now, this is something I should try. So one night I greeted Bob at the door wearing nothing but his wing-tipped shoes. I was laughing hysterically about how I looked. Bob didn't crack a smile. Instead, he bellowed, 'What are the neighbors going to think?'
'I don't know,' I replied. 'I haven't shown them yet.'" (pp. 30-31)

"Perhaps as we age, we need to begin to enjoy each other for who and what we are, and not for who we think we need to be." (p. 58)

"Eating healthily, exercising moderately, and especially enjoying food are the keys to a happy life." (pp. 86-87)

"We need to honor our imperfections because they are part of who we are. They will allow us to resonate in the moment if we will only accept the fact that this is our own true nature." (p. 97)

"It's amazing how many of us focus on what's wrong instead of what's right." (pp. 161-162)

"Try to keep some humor in your life, even in the hard times. It will help you to get through difficulties and will lighten your days. No one ever said on his deathbed, 'I wish I hadn't laughed so much.'" (p. 182)

[Ronda Panucci · Rating 5 out of 5]

LAUGH until your stomach hurts. This book had me doing just that. Sometimes you just have to look a things from a different perspective. With work, your family or in the grocery store, humor can change what might have been a terrible day to one you will remember for the rest of your life. It won't hurt, it doesn't cost a thing and what's the worst that can happen....nobody get's your humor? Who cares, your laughing ang you feel great.

Here is a quote from the book, " One night I met Bob at the door wearing nothing but his wing-tipped shoes, I was laughing hysterically about how I looked. Bob didn't crack a smile. Instead, he bellowed What are the neighbors going to think?
"I don't know, I replied, I haven't shown them yet."

Lighten-up and laugh, you just might live longer.

[Babs · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always... I laughed out loud. Some stories were familiar from the author's other books but this one tells us how to move beyond our little idiosyncrasies. We are human but we love to beat ourselves up... stop! Simple message delivered with humor and examples. A fun and informative read.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Suggestions

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little outdated, but good, timeless advice all around. I am glad I read it. It helped me through a tough moment.

[Magda Glowacka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Goed

[Anouk Heijdra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Geniaal geschreven, zet alles goed in perspectief

[Darline Wolfcarius · Rating 4 out of 5]

Geen hoogstaande, wetenschappelijke literatuur maar een luchtig en eenvoudig geschreven boek dat je doet glimlachen om veel zaken die o zo herkenbaar zijn.

[Debbie Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy read that helps you to think about things from your daily life. Lots of good "points" and recommendations. Very easy to follow.

[Alicee339 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book taught me to laugh more at certain situations and see life in a different and more casual way, and I thank Loreta for that. However, it can be a little bit repetitive at some points.

[Dionne · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Reframing our negative thoughts through humorous exaggeration sends a vital message to the brain that says: 'Hold it, I really don't need to get ready to do battle today. Instead, I'm going to take a shower in endorphins & assume this challenge with a calm, somewhat bemused mind.'"

"You can thank God. Thank Him for giving you life. Give thanks for your health and mental well-being. Appreciate the beauty of nature and of sunsets, thank your God. Say grace before a meal. These expressions of gratitude will make you realize that, actually, you are very lucky. And that's a good thing to know."

Loretta LaRoche has a wonderful gift of enabling you to find humor in every day situations that enable you to cope with the stress of life. This is the 2nd book of hers that I've read, and both books encourage you not to take life too seriously. Some of us definitely need to be reminded of that.

[Lossecorme · Rating 4 out of 5]

Normally, I'm not someone who likes to read self-help books. I got this book as a gift, and although I appreciated the thought behind it, I thought I would never read it, much less finish it.

I was wrong.
At some point, I decided to give it a chance. At first, I didn't know what to think of it. I couldn't identify myself with the situations described. But I continued reading it. Taking it with me on travel, reading bits every now and then.

Until I got to the Tadaa-moment with the story about the little child in the hotel sticking his hands in the air. Then I was sold. From then on I really enjoyed reading the book. I like Loretta's humor and her illustrating stories.

I would recommend this book to friends.

[Julie Barrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Relax you may only have a few minutes left: using power of humor to overcomes stress
Many examples of using humor to get over the stress in our lifes.
Just pretend to be a 8 year old and be silly-things we have done when we are around our grandson. We need to do these things when he's not even here. See how many heads we can turn.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

[Ginny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Self help book on relieving your stress through humor. A few good ideas, but I don't think some of them would work. I have tried her theories out and have gotten mixed results. If you have heard her talk there is no new material here. If you haven't heard of Loretta, it is a good read and helps you put things in a different frame of mind.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a fun book to read but it also taught me some things. Like not to take life too seriously. My Mom looked at it while I was reading it and she's going to read it next. Fun for women of all ages.

[Siti · Rating 4 out of 5]

A self-help book that really help to overcome stress with humours...
i had a pretty good laugh when i was reading it...
guess that the books really helped to bring out more humours in my life...
have more fun....

[Candy · Rating 2 out of 5]

LaRoche is funny, but I thought the advice was pretty lightweight. If you're worried about people helping with the housework or finding a bathing suit, she offers some advice. If you have real stress, you might want to go elsewhere.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me laugh out loud! I was so into it I even did a 10-post series on my Blog about the TA-DAH! suggestions she makes to help people learn how to enjoy the surprises life brings: http://cathy-morningmusings.blogspot....

[Lee Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

She is the queen of stress management. Delightful book!

[Shelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

funny, we all need to relax a little...

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

[Sally Doyle · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a suggestion by my daughter. Light and funny. It doesn't hurt to be reminded to lighten up and maybe that's why I didn't rate it higher. Its really hard for me to lighten up.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is me. Wanting everything to be perfect and getting stressed out when not. Also taking things too seriously. Lighten up, Pam!

[Grace]

good

[Oana Bajka · Rating 5 out of 5]

It does what it preaches. Making me laugh every page. Great book. :)

[Terie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love it! Humor is what keeps me sane and She does a great job at helping me relax and not take life so serious!

[Emily]

sfpl, read sample, better me, humor, for will

[Sally Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really liked this book. I may have to actually buy it. Has a lot of information that is worthy of rereading.

[Angela Prins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loretta LaRoche is a very funny lady. Every time I read one of her books or watch a YT video I giggle and then try to remember to share her quote.