A few years ago when I met a new doctor who would become my primary physician, she asked me about my job.  I told her I had worked as both a prosecutor and criminal defense lawyer.  When she asked if my job was stressful, my immediate response was no—until I thought for a moment.  Like many of you with extremely stressful jobs, you’re probably so used to handling the stress you don’t even know it’s there.  So, what can you do to have less stress?  See Inside Out, the new Pixar animated film.

I love animated films anyway.  Like eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches or riding my bike, “cartoon” movies instantly transport me to my childhood.  (Not a bad place to spend time again if you can!)  I can’t call the new animated movies “cartoons” because they are far more sophisticated and, of course, the technology is amazing.  I recommend that you see Inside Out for a number of reasons.

—The colors and action are like going to DisneyWorld for the rides.  Throw-in music that carries you along with the action, you can’t help but soar, swoop, and travel over magical places.  Even if this is all you get out of the film, your stress will decrease.

—The plot is predictable—the heroes are on a quest to “get back to headquarters” in order to save their human charge.  Inside Out is still compelling because it’s so unique.

—Inside Out is clever, very clever.  The title refers to the four characters who make up the human character’s mind: joy, sadness, fear, and anger.  We watch as the four emotions struggle with each other, just as they do in our own minds.  I’ve never seen a film like this before.  Just watching, and laughing, along with the emotions reminds me to relax and let the stress in my life go.

—Joy is the main character and it’s her struggle to get back in control of the human’s mind that teaches us about stress.  We see throughout the entire film that joy is the first and main characteristic of childhood, but as we age, we lose it because of fear, anger, etc.  We all need to reduce stress by getting back to our childhood joys.

Here’s an interesting commentary about Inside Out that I like:  http://lifespa.com/6-ayurvedic-truths-the-inside-out-movie-will-teach-you/

Also, there’s a local connection:  the director is Peter Docter who grew-up in South Minneapolis.  In the film, the human character wants to get back to Minnesota because she thinks the place will bring her joy again.  In any event, be sure to see the film, Inside Out.  I guarantee that you’ll leave smiling and wiser.