TIME FOR A "TT"

THE BEST WAY TO COPE WITH STRESS IS . . . TO THROW A TANTRUM?

Are you feeling stressed out these days? Maybe the end of the holidays has got you down. Or you don't want to go back to work after vacation. Or freezing weather is bothering you . . . or going back to school . . . or the horrible economy.

Okay, sorry. --But if you ARE stressed out, maybe there's a solution you haven't thought of: The tantrum.

A new survey of 2,000 adults in the UK called "The Sound or Silence Poll" showed that one in ten people deal with tension by going somewhere and sitting quietly, while more than a third admitted to having tantrums.

But that's not necessarily a bad thing according to Judi James, a psychologist and expert in communications and body language, and psychologist Geoffrey Beattie. They say, quote, "Releasing tension through shouting and screaming is a really beneficial way to expel the negative energies caused by stress. "January can be one of the most stressful times of the year, between sale shopping and recovering from the excesses of the party season, which can stimulate negative behaviors such as rising tension, stress levels, and blood pressure.

"When this threatens to overwhelm you, try a short sustained burst of shouting." Also, if you don't want a stressed co-worker flipping out on you this month, you might want to know the five things most likely to irritate people.

According to the survey, 28% of people are annoyed by others eating noisily, 26% are irritated by sniffing (???), 21% don't like it when people talk too loudly on the phone, and 5% can't stand it when other people sing. (Daily Mail)