Stress-reducing activities, especially in light of our current events, are often perceived as selfish. How can I have fun when the world is in such danger? Once we realize that our guilt prevents us from finding coping mechanisms to deal with stress, we can begin to open up to the joys and pleasures in our everyday lives. Remember, we can't eliminate stress, but we can minimize it impact.

So turn off the TV with its constant barrage of scary images and give yourself permission to have some fun! Invite friends for dinner and play charades. Read that book that has lain unopened for weeks. Rent a funny movie. Do whatever you can to escape the doom and gloom of the media. Sometimes this means forcing ourselves to come out from under the covers and take deliberate action that takes us to a different psychological place. Even smiling at a neighbor makes us feel better. Laughter releases endorphins, which help alleviate pain. Laughter literally makes us feel better. It releases tension and reminds us to maintain a healthy perspective.

Try to avoid the "when-I-win-the-lottery" syndrome. Meaning that I'll be happy when all is right with the world again. Well, all we have is right now, not some unknown and far-off uncertain future. Live and enjoy today and all the wonderful blessings of your life. Every day is full of delights but we'll miss them if we're always thinking of our fears and concerns. So learn to live in the moment.

And don't forget about the stress your children are experiencing. They may not always express fears, but they, too, have had their secure world shaken. Your stress becomes their stress. Avoid talking incessantly about the attacks in front of them. Keep their TV-news viewing to a minimum. Try to maintain your household routine. Few things are so reassuring as routine. And laugh with your children. You will all be beneficiaries of a shared giggle.

Worry, that insidious destroyer of joy, is a by-product of stress. It's also a negative investment in the future. So shift focus, if only for a few minutes. Open a book and sip of tea. Savor it. ENJOY it! Return to joy, to laughter, to fun and begin the journey back to life.

And don't feel guilty about the line dancing.