83% of US workers report work-related stress. December amplifies it.

But here’s something you can do RIGHT NOW: Smile

Lainie Jones taught me something powerful about managing stress. She faced seven different primary cancers over 17 years- a medical rarity most oncologists never see. Her secret? A smile. She will be remembered forever as a rainbow in human form. “I laugh a lot through it,” she said. “Attitude is 90% of the battle.”  Smiling was her survival strategy, carrying her through nearly two decades of defying the odds. 

Research shows smiling reduces heart rate by 10% and cortisol by 23%. 

It interrupts your stress response whether you’re in a meeting or at a family gathering.

Remember the SMILE Approach when stress hits:

S – Smile and breathe (3 deep breaths)

M – Mindfully assess (what’s actually happening vs. the story you’re telling yourself)

I – Identify your control zone

L – Let go of the rest

E – Engage with good intentions

This holiday season, transform stress into your superpower. Enjoy the moments that matter. Remember to smile 😊

Take it further: Quick Coherence Exercise 

More about Lainie: The Early Detective – The Lainie Jones Foundation 🌈