Jest for the Health of it! The connection between Humor and Health Marshall L. Post, BHS, RRT Respiratory Therapist 1
HUMOR Something designed to induce laughter or amusement The American Heritage Dictionary (1978 ed.)
Kindly contemplation of the incongruities of life and the artistic contemplation thereof Stephen Leacock Frank enjoyment of the imperfect Crothers
Humor and laughter have been a part of the human culture for as long as we can go back in history 5
But. How long have the benefits of humor and laughter been associated with our health? 6
Hippocrates (c. 460 c. 370 BC) Advised a balance between seriousness and wit because he asserted no one, healthy or ill, liked a dour face 7
Facts about Hippocrates not everyone knows: Is known as the Father of Modern Medicine Given credit for the first description of clubbing of the fingers, which is why clubbed fingers are sometimes referred to as Hippocratic fingers Began to categorize illnesses as acute, chronic, endemic, and epidemic Used terms such as exacerbation, relapse, resolution, crisis, paroxysm, and convalescence He was the first documented chest surgeon, using lead pipes to drain chest wall abscesses 8
Biblical Times Book of Proverbs 17.22 "A cheerful heart does good medicine, but a broken spirit makes you sick." Ancient Greek Physicians Prescribed for their patients to visit a hall of comedians 9
Throughout the Centuries Court Jesters were hired to relieve the royalty's stress from their governing duties Early Native Americans Clowns (3 rd most important person in the tribe) worked with Witch Doctors 10
2017 GOOGLE Humor in Medicine 22,400,000 Results 11
We can find humor in nearly every aspect of life e.g. Comedians 12
HUMOR Keeps us balanced
Promotes Shift From Negative to Positive 15
HUMOR Provides perspective Gives us Psychological Distance Helping to keep us from being overwhelmed 16
Dear Mom and Dad, I am sorry that I have not written, but all my stationery was destroyed when the dorm burned down. I am now out of the hospital and the doctor said that I will recover soon. I have also moved in with the boy who rescued me, since most of my things were destroyed in the fire. Oh yes, I know that you have always wanted a grandchild, so you will be pleased to know that I am pregnant and you will have one soon. Love, Mary 17
Then there was a postscript: P.S. There was no fire, my health is perfectly fine and I am not pregnant. In fact, I don't even have a boyfriend. But I did get a D in French and a C in math and chemistry, and I just wanted to make sure that you keep it all in perspective. 18
HUMOR Allows us to experience temporary liberation from our anxieties
Using Humor can be be compared to Changing a baby s diaper It doesn t permanently solve any problems, but it makes things more acceptable for a while 20
But Just What IS the Connection Between Humor and Health? 21
Gelotology (from the Greek γέλως gelos "laughter") The study of laughter and its effects on the body, from a psychological and physiological perspective
1979 Norman Cousins
1998 Movie Patch Adams 24
Humor/Laughter help us stay emotionally healthy by helping us cope with life s challenges Dissolve distressing emotions You cannot feel angry, depressed, anxious, guilty, or resentful and experience humor at the same time 25
The Art of Medicine consists of amusing the patient while nature cures the disease Voltaire French Philosopher
HUMOR Stimulates the Immune System By increasing Gamma-interferon (disease fighting protein) T-cells (immune system) B-cells (make antibodies)
HUMOR Helps to relieve Pain Increases endorphins
HUMOR and stress Humor and Laughter reduce hormones associated with stress, such as: Epinephrine Cortisol Dopamine Growth hormone 29
Stress A state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or very demanding circumstances. "he's obviously under a lot of stress" 30
Stress: The confusion created when one s mind overrides the body s basic desire to choke the living daylights out of some jerk who desperately deserves it Anonymous
AMERICA S #1 HEALTH PROBLEM Time magazine's June 6, 1983 cover story called stress "The Epidemic of the Eighties" and referred to it as our leading health problem. Numerous surveys confirm that adult Americans perceive they are under much more stress than two or three decades ago. 32
Reality is the leading cause of stress amongst those in touch with it ---Lily Tomlin
Proof that we ALL have stress in our lives! 34
* IMPORTANT Disclaimer This test can only determine the PRESENCE of stress, NOT the AMOUNT of stress you have It is not accurate enough to distinguish between very low and very high stress levels! A Simple Stress Test* to indicate whether you have stress in your life I will show you a picture of two dolphins. The two dolphins will appear NORMAL when viewed by a totally stress-free individual If there is anything that appears different about the dolphins (ignore the fact of the slight color differences) you have stress Sit upright and viewing the screen head-on, take a deep breath, breathe out and then look directly at the picture
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HUMOR Improves Communication Enhances our ability to affiliate or connect with others 38
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HUMOR Facilitates Learning Makes problems less threatening Fosters joy of Learning Reduces resistance to new ideas Encourages divergent thinking Teaches meaning by interpreting tone of voice, facial expressions, and body language 40
HUMOR in the workplace
96% of Executives Choose Employees With Sense of Humor WHY?
People who laugh frequently tend to be: Creative Good Communicators Team Players Stress Relievers
The Group that Laughs together, Works together Robinson (1991) 44
FACEWORK 45
SMILE, SMILE, SMILE! People smile only 35 percent as much as they think they do! 46
LAUGHTER Biological reaction of humans to moments or occasions of humor Mostly an unconscious response to social, physical, and linguistic clues 47
LAUGHTER
Infants begin smiling during the first weeks of life and laugh out loud within months of being born Children Laugh about 150-400 times per day Adults Laugh about 15-20 times per day
Five Interesting Facts about Laughter Laughter sounds the same across all cultures, leading some researchers to believe that laughter helped bond our ancestors together The sound of laughter is so common and familiar that it can be recognized if played backwards on tape Adults between the ages of 18 and 34 report laughing the most Studies from around the world have shown that an atmosphere of humor results in better patient cure, less anesthesia time, less operating time, and shorter hospital stays Rats laugh when they re tickled, and the more they play together, the more they laugh. Psychologist Jack Panksepp first observed laughing rats in the 1990s; he needed special equipment to hear it, as rats laughs are very high pitched. 50
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PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF LAUGHTER Internal Massage 100 laughs = 10 minutes of aerobic benefits from a rowing machine
Laughing Burns Calories!? One study found that laughing for 10 to 15 minutes a day can burn about 40 calories which could be enough to lose three or four pounds over the course of a year 53
Laughing Burns Calories!? 54
Laughter Protects the heart Enhances circulation Lowers blood pressure Oxygenates the blood Source: www.humorproject.com 55
Heart attack survivors experiencing 30 minutes of laughter daily less likely to experience a 2nd MI, required lower med doses, and had lower BP. (N=24) 2nd MI 20% vs. 50% CAN Journal of Cardiol 1997, 13 (Suppl. B) 190B in Mind/Body Health Newsletter (Vol. 8, Number 2, 1999)
Laughter Expands the Lungs Increases oxygen intake Reduces water vapor and carbon dioxide Has been shown to decrease the risk of pulmonary infection 57
Laughter Helps us to Relax! 10 minutes of laughter Relaxing effect of 2 hours sleep 15 minutes of laughter Relaxing effect of meditation for 8 hours 58
HUMOR and LAUGHTER Have Social Benefits Change behavior when we experience humor and laughter we talk more, make more eye contact with others, touch others, etc. 60
HUMOR and LAUGHTER Help Diffuse Conflicts Barking dogs may occasionally bite but laughing men hardly ever shoot Konrad Lorenz (1963) 61
The Human Race has one really effective weapon, and that is humor - Mark Twain
Laughter is Contagious! The more the merrier. A large group laughs more than a small one Laugh and the world laughs with you Ella Wilcox 1850-1919 63
Without laughter life on our planet would be intolerable Steve Allen (1981)
How to Cultivate Our Sense of Humor
First: Find chuckles in the everyday things around you 66
"From there to here, from here to there, funny things are everywhere." Dr. Seuss
Oops!
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Bring humor into conversations Less than 20 percent of everyday laughter is a response to jokes 71
Is it me, or was that not funny? When someone asks you if you have a sense of humor, they are not asking if you are a clown! Using humor does not mean becoming the Jay Leno of your group! What one may find humorous another may not, so be careful! 72
Laugh at Yourself! A healthy sense of humor is related to being able to laugh at oneself and one's life If I can t make fun of myself, who can I make fun of? 73
Self deprecating Humor I couldn t be two faced, if I was, I sure wouldn t wear this one. --Abraham Lincoln
Do the Alphabet song and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star have the same tune? How many of you just tried singing the two songs above? 75
Knowing When to Use Humor When another person initiates the humor You have a good relationship The situation is appropriate The humor is aimed at a situation or yourself 76
Rules for using Humor in the Healthcare Setting (and any other setting for that matter)
RULE #1 Follow the Patient s Lead ( toe in the water approach)
RULE #2 Be aware of others in the immediate vicinity
RULE #3 Laugh with the patient, not at the patient!
When to avoid using humor 81
"He who laughs; lasts." Anonymous
KEEP EM GIGGLIN!