FUNNY Stress Management Techniques by TEDx Speaker Karyn Buxman

Key wellness / stress-management strategies mentioned

Use laughter as an immediate stress tool

• Start by recalling the last time you had a really good laugh to shift your mindset.
• A “research” exercise is used to prove you can access a stress-relief response on demand.

Rapid “body-based” laughter activation (quick exercise)

1. Stand (or do it seated if you’re not physically able).
2. Take a deep breath.
3. Put the shape of a smile on your face (it doesn’t have to be a “real” smile).
4. Show teeth (whatever expression is available—the point is the physical act).
5. Make eye contact with someone to your left or right.
6. Sit down and groan loudly to complete the ritual.

Purpose: This gives people an on-the-spot tool to discharge stress quickly—especially when at work.

Use the body cue to set boundaries at work

• When overwhelmed at your desk, you can quickly do the expression-based “act” (e.g., look like you’re in the middle of the exercise) so coworkers notice: “now is not the time to bother you.”

Be intentional with playful “micro-exercises”

• The speaker frames stress relief as something you can practice deliberately through small techniques.

A quick, playful “thumb/forefinger squish” technique

• Hold right thumb and forefinger about an inch apart.
• Close left eye.
• Find a target across the room (e.g., someone’s head).
• Bring thumb and forefinger together and “squish”—the idea is a playful, stress-breaking distraction.

Presenters / sources

• Karyn Buxman (TEDx speaker)