R&R For Busy Lives—

Neighbors Sharing Strategies

In The Battle Against Stress

By Nancy K. Crevier

A little bit of stress is not bad. It increases energy and focus and can increase productivity. That is a very good thing for those who have busy work or home lives and need the extra push to get through a tough project or a tricky situation.

It is easy for the positive power of stress to step over the line, though, backfiring into decreased physical and mental function. Unchecked stress can lead to anxiety, nervousness, distraction, and irritability, none of which benefit a person who must make important decisions every day. Too much stress can eventually lead to physical problems, as well.

How do some of Newtown’s busier people make sure that workday stress does not follow them home?

Fred Hurley, director of Public Works in Newtown, said that he counts the days “until I get on the plane to go to Key West — and I’m only half joking.” The biggest stress reliever for everyone in the department, especially during the budget season, is to keep up a sense of humor, said Mr Hurley.

“There is a lot of stress this time of the year, both physical and mental. You have to have a sense of humor,” he said. “That’s the secret.”

At the Health District offices, Director Donna Culbert said that the staff sometimes does a “team builder” like a word puzzle or trivia game to rejuvenate during the workday.

“I take a walk around Fairfield Hills during the second half of my lunch hour when the weather is conducive,” she said, “and in the evenings, our house overlooks a pond and some mountains, so it’s nice to just sit there and take it in for a little while. I enjoy that. Winter is tough, so I look forward to spending more time outside in the spring.”

When the going really gets tough, too, Ms Culbert admitted, “I do turn to dark chocolate. But not too often, or it takes away from that pleasure.”

“When I have a bad day, I have a fantastic digital frame at home with over 200 pictures of my granddaughter and family members,” said Newtown Senior Center Director Marilyn Place. “It is such a joy. I can put my feet up and look at all of them. It is so soothing,” she said.

C.H. Booth Library Director Janet Woycik has a few tricks up her sleeve to wind down after a busy workday.

“I do weight training two evenings a week, and I really enjoy sitting by the fire and reading,” she said. She also relaxes by watching UConn basketball, “especially the women’s team,” said Ms Woycik.

Running a restaurant is hectic, and when holidays and catering jobs are added to the mix, the workday becomes a juggling act. Angelo Marini, owner of Sal e Pepe on South Main Street, settles down with a good book to escape the day’s craziness, he said. “And believe it or not, I like to cook at home and try new recipes. That’s very relaxing, and so is playing board games with my kids.”

As the owner of Tambascio’s Italian Grill on Route 302 in Dodgingtown, and manager/owner of My Place Restaurant on Queen Street and DePalma’s Pizza in Southbury, John Tambascio knows the importance of down time.

“I exercise a lot to de-stress. That’s my main thing,” said Mr Tambascio. “I run just about every day.”

Knowing that he has reliable crews in place also enables him to enjoy any down time that he does have.

“It’s great, because with a good crew, when I’m off, I’m off. And being able to have my family time helps relieve stress a lot,” said Mr Tambascio.

“I work a lot of hours, including weekends,” admitted Newtown Savings Bank President John Trentacosta. To get the work day off on the right foot, he rises early — 4:15 am — to work out. “That sets the theme for me each day,” he said. The other thing Mr Trentacosta does to keep stress at bay is to leave the work place behind when he does go home.

“I never take work home, even if I have to work 12 hours before I can leave. I’ve always made a point of that and it’s been very helpful to me,” said Mr Trentacosta. During the summer, he makes time to play golf on the weekends. “It’s a great way to decompress and be with friends,” he said.

Not surprisingly, Cody Foss, Fitness Loft’s owner, works out consistently and tries to lead a healthy lifestyle to combat stress.

“I have to have at least four workouts a week to release those endorphins,” he said. But his other defense is having a sense of humor. “I try to have as much fun in a situation as I can,” said Mr Foss. Luckily, he can count on his 10-month-old son to help him out. “If I can get him to start giggling, then it just sort of suspends everything around me. He has a great laugh, and you can’t focus on anything else,” he said.

Someone who might be suspected of leading a high-stress life is First Selectman Pat Llodra, but years of high-level responsibilities and a supportive family structure have taught her how to handle stressful days at work, she said. She does have a treadmill at home that gets “a pounding” when she feels anxious. But, she confessed, “I’m one of those rare, lucky people who doesn’t internalize stress. When I exit the gates here at Fairfield Hills, I’m able to leave it all behind.”

It is simple advice put into practice by people who have discovered what works for them. So when everyday stress comes calling, let it go, laugh it off, and work it out.