Karaoke Therapy

Ever since the first karaoke bar appeared in Kobe, Japan, in the 1960s, salary men have understood the calming effects of singing (actually badly) along to a bouncing ball. Only recently, however, have researchers begun to explore karaoke's therapeutic benefits.

"Even the shy and socially inhibited, like many Chinese and Japanese, become less restrained when singing karaoke," says Dr Authur Dun-ping Mak, a psychiatrist at the Prince of Wales Hospital in Hong Kong. The hospital's psychiatric department has been using karaoke as a therapy since 1990, and Mak says the combination of images and singing helps people focus on positive thoughts.

Mak has found that karaoke allows people to relax by vocalizing their pent-up grievances through the lyrics of popular songs. People can identify with the characters and moods pictured on the screen while projecting their own feelings through their performance. "Karaoke tends to bolster stage image, decrease stage anxiety and encourage social interactions," Mak says.

Go Home Earlier

The pressure to work longer hours never seems to end. "Companies would take 24 hours a day if they could," says Laura Stack, author of Leave the Office Earlier. Some tricks to reclaim your life:

Nix last-minute interruptions Close your door ten minutes before quitting, so co-workers with "emergencies" won't drop by. Cubicle bound? Turn on voice mail and put your bag and coat in a visible spot.

Map out tomorrow Before you leave, prioritize the next day. Plan important tasks for morning so you won't buy yourself a late night.

Schedule personal time Block out "appointments" with your family, your gym or yourself. If someone asks to meet at six o'clock, you can honestly say you're booked.

Minimize meeting time If only part of a meeting is relevant to you, arrange to go first. Say you have another appointment you couldn't reschedule or a pressing deadline.