Peeps: The New Stress Busters

Life is busy. Life in HR is busy. Life in HR is always busy. I should know that. I should expect that and I should not be surprised that I only see water when I look around me and remember, yes, I am supposed to be growing gills. I am right where I was this time last year. What is it they say about doing the same thing and expecting different results?!

As I wiped the water from my eyes yesterday (could that be tears? Not!) I looked around and noticed that I was not alone. Unfortunately, my staff is right there beside me. The most frustrating part of what I do is finding that I am so buried in my own stuff that I am not available to my staff.

Well, help was on the way. I took the kid to Walgreens looking for some little stress buster types of things I could bring into work. We still use my ashes of problem employee jar but I wanted something different this time. So, to the toy and candy aisle we went and right there at eye level, I found what I needed - PEEPS! Pink peeps, blue peeps, purple peeps, yellow peeps and green ones. I quickly began loading them into my basket when the kid asked me if they were for her. No, I said, they were for the office. I was going to bring them into work so we can release a little tension as we rip their little arms off. If looks could kill . . . . back on the shelves the little Peeps went.

I settled for colored eggs with stressed, angry, laughing, crying and silly faces on them, stuffed with Dove chocolate. They were enough to get a few very overdue smiles. The Peeps were safe this time but they may not be so lucky next time!

So, what do you do to release a little bit of tension in your office?

Comments

[Wally Bock]

Wonderful post, Lisa. It's hard to be creative or caring when there's too much tension and stress. Breaking it is a good thing. Peeps are as good a tool as any.

[RMSJr]

I put peeps in the microwave. Try it.

[Chelsea Duran]

Best way to release tension? Laugh. Some offices may think it's a crime to hear laughter in the hallways (which is sad). But laugh, it always makes you feel better.

Your post about Peeps (one of my favorite things about spring) made me think of a great picture I saw recently.

VP(eeps)
http://laurieruettimann.com/2008/03/13/vpeeps/

[Lorraine]

someone beat me to it, but definitely microwave the peeps. twenty to thirty seconds. don't tell the kid.