Why Old Time Radio Shows Can Help Relieve Stress

There's a wonderful old-time radio show, which ran from 1947 for seven years. Every episode began with these words:

“Tired of the everyday grind? Ever dream of a life of romantic adventure? Want to get away from it all? We offer you... Escape!”

Everyone plagued with stress, particularly work-based stress, will be able to relate to this I am sure.

Not many people who are reading this will have gone into work each day without ever wishing they were somewhere else. Yes, for many of us, we don't have these thoughts every working week day, but it's just not possible to say that we never have them.

There are many techniques we can use to lower this type of work-related stress including introducing a fitness program, improving our daily diet, meditation, even some form of therapy, but a few months ago I was introduced to a rather unique technique which worked wonders not just for one person, but for a whole office of staff covering every age group.

Surprisingly the story I am about to tell you involves old time radio shows that were originally broadcast way back in the first half of last century.

Carol (name changed to protect the innocent) was working extremely long hours as a tax accountant. It was the end of the year and things were getting pretty tense around the office.

Her colleagues started to notice that when Carol came back from her dinner break she was like a totally different person. Eventually, one of her colleagues decided to ask her what she was doing. Was it some kind of Far Eastern meditation? Was she indulging in under-the-counter substances that were not strictly legal.

When Carol told them they were amazed.

Basically, Carol was simply going out for a 30 minute stroll each day. To prevent her mind mulling over work problems she was listening old-time radio shows on her iPod. All of the old radio shows she was listening to lasted roughly 30 minutes which meant her walk and the show she was listening to her started at ended at the same time - like clock work.

This technique was doing 3 important things.

1. It was, for a short while, making sure she thought about something other than work.

2. It was giving her a chance to stretch.

3. It was getting her heart pumping.

For a person working in a busy, and often stressful office environment, these 3 things were essential.

Over the coming weeks other people who were in the same office followed just the same 3 techniques as she had, and the atmosphere around the office changed beyond all recognition, and productivity went through the roof.

And all of this started from Carol's love of 30 minute old-time radio shows.