Seattle Sun Newspaper - Vol. 7, Issue 9, September 2003

Copyright 2003 Jane Lotter. Do not use without written permission.

JANE EXPLAINS

Doing Too Much

By JANE LOTTER

You can hardly pick up a newspaper or magazine today without reading a reference to the problems of modern-day stress. Why, here's one now.

Scientists ask: Is life today more stressful than in days gone by? Is stress bad for you? Have you left the burner on? (Yes, yes, and probably.)

Ever feel like you're doing too much and there's not enough time to do it? Ever feel like you're hanging by a thread that could break at any moment? Ever feel like you could scream? Of course you do! But just to be sure take this little quiz:

1. Complete the following word or phrase. Pressed

a) Pants.

b) Flowers.

c) For time.

2. In the car (racing from one event to another) if one of the kids has dirt on his face, I'm most likely to wipe it off with

a) A moist towelette.

b) A handkerchief, lovingly moistened with saliva.

c) The anti-fog cloth.

3. When cleaning house, if I see a piece of popcorn lying on the living room rug, my first instinct is to

a) Pick it up and throw it away.

b) Pick it up later.

c) Pick it up and eat it.

4. My best friend is

a) Always there for me.

b) A good listener.

c) Hamburger Helper.

5. To help combat the stresses of everyday life, I rely on

a) Vitamin supplements.

b) A diet rich in green, leafy vegetables.

c) The drive-thru window at Krispy Kreme.

6. New paint and carpeting in my office would be

a) A nice surprise.

b) Proof that management cared.

c) Like getting fresh paper in the bottom of the cage.

7. My co-workers are all amazed by the size of my

a) Desk.

b) Cubicle.

c) Carpal tunnel syndrome.

8. To save time at home, I insist the children's pets be small and easy to care for, such as

a) Gerbils.

b) Hamsters.

c) Dust bunnies.

9. For the holidays, I'm keeping things simple and giving the children what they've all been begging for

a) Individual cell phones.

b) A trip to Disneyland.

c) Clean socks.

10. In my opinion, my mother could best broaden her horizons by

a) Finding a career of her own.

b) Traveling in Europe.

c) Babysitting the children.

11. Sadly, life was so hectic this summer, I didn't get as much "alone" time as I wanted with my

a) Hobbies.

b) Thoughts.

c) Endless Summer movie rental pass from Reckless Video.