Humor is a communication with others; one whose creativity, verbal skill, and absurdity has the power to bring about laughter. Laughter is the biotic response of humans to moments of humor. It is considered an outward expression of amusement with others. While humor may bring joy with others, it is considered to have many health, mental, and emotional benefits. These benefit may bring about an overall happier day.
There are different types of humor; not all are appropriate for health care professional-patient relationships. These types of humor may include positive, negative, and black humor (Riley, 2012, p. 163-173). Positive humor builds relationships and releases tension. Negative humor, unlike positive humor, is not supportive. It makes people uncomfortable or defensive. Negative humor is unprofessional and disrespectful and should not be used between interactions. So-called “black humor” is used among staff to provide relief during situations, as it provides a psychological escape from the harsh realities and may strengthen staff relationships. However, black humor should never be shared with from staff to patients and should still be used cautiously among staff (Kennedy, 2014, p. 109). Humor may also be culturally different, so developing an understanding the patient's cultural background is important to avoid offending patients (Giger & Davidhizar,2008).
Many consider that if one is to maintain good humor, it is useful for a great amount of quality in his or her life. The sense of humor we have gives us the ability to find thrill, experience, and release tension. Furthermore, laughter can expand our capacity to fight diseases and initiate the chemistry of the will to live, which makes it a great self-tool for life.
According to Norman Cousin, MD, Anatomy of Illness (1979), laughter was used to ease his pain while undergoing treatment for extremely painful inflammation of tissues. As a result, scientific evidence shows the effectiveness of humor; its health benefits are immense. Humor can physically benefit the immune system, reduce pain, help the heart, and provides a good workout. Additionally, it can expand one’s mental, emotional, and social state of health.
Lee Berk at Loma Linda University, after having conducted a clinical study and studies in Bangalore, India, found that the anticipation of a laughter event increased certain beneficial chemicals and hormones (2006). In Berk’s experiment, the researchers proposed that the anticipation of a laughter event might reduce stress hormones. To test their theory, they studied 16 male volunteers for cortisol and catecholamine level changes. Not only was this study able to reduce stress hormone, this study was able to show that laughter was able to strengthen the immune system by increasing the infection-fighting antibodies and reduce blood pressure (as shown in Figure 1 for studies in Bangalore, India).
Figure 1
Laughter also allows one to “forget” about pains such as headaches, arthritis, anxiety, and depression. Texas Tech Psychologist Rosemary Cogan also conducted an experiment where subjects (both male and female) watched a 20-minute video of Lily Tomlin routine; after viewing, researchers found that subjects could tolerate a tighter cuff than those who had the watch and informational tape or no tape at all (1987). This was able to show the discomfort of pressure cuff to test the medical benefits of laughter on pain management.
While laughter the can also help stimulate brain function and respiration, the heart is what keeps us going the most. "The old saying that 'laughter is the best medicine,’ definitely appears to be true when it comes to protecting your heart," says Michael Miller, M.D., F.A.C.C., director of the Center for Preventive Cardiology at the University of Maryland Medical Center. Laughter, besides with a vigorous sense of humor, may help protect you against a heart attack, in consonance with a study at University of Maryland Medical Center (2000). The Mayo Clinic defines heart disease, or cardiovascular disease, to conditions that involve narrowed or blocked blood vessels that can lead to a heart attack, chest pain (angina) or stroke. The University of Maryland Medical Center study was the first to indicate that laughter may help prevent heart disease; researchers found that people with heart disease were 40% less likely to laugh in a variety of situation compared to people of the same age with heart disease.
Lastly, laughter is benefitted towards a good workout, as laughter is correspondent to what is known as “internal jogging.” One minute of laughter is equal to ten minutes on a rowing machine, according to William Fry, MD, Professor of Psychiatry at Stanford University (1979). Laughter can also provide great cardiac, facial, abdominal, and back muscle conditioning especially for those who cannot perform physical exercise.
Since there are health benefits, it’s good to know that laughter can benefit us mentally, emotionally, and socially. Humor and laughter are the powerful emotional medicine the can dissolve anger, lower stress, and unite people in troubled times. Mood is elevated by seeking to find humor in times that we find difficult and frustrating. Laughing at ourselves, and the situation we find ourselves in, will help with resiliency and reveal that thing we considered so small not to be as drastic as they seem to be. Looking at life from a different angle can make life seem less intimidating for a greater insight. Humor can also help us avoid loneliness by connecting with others who are attracted to genuine good-humor.
References
Balzer-Riley, J. W. (2012). Communication in nursing (7th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Mosby/Elsevier.
Berk, L. S. (1989). Neuroendocrine and Stress Hormone Changes During Mirthful Laughter. The American Journal of the Medical Sciences, 298(6), 390-396. Retrieved March 28, 2016.
Chaya, D. (2007). Bangalore Study. Retrieved March 28, 2016, from http://laughteryogawithalexa.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Bangalore-Study.pdf
Chopra, H. K. (2006). Dr. H.K. Chopra's programme on lifestyle and health: A mind-body capsule. New Delhi: Sterling.
Cogan, R. (1987). Effects of laughter and relaxation on discomfort thresholds. J Behav Med Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 10(2), 139-144. Retrieved March 28, 2016.
Cousins, N. (1979). Anatomy of an Illness as Perceived by the Patient: Reflections on Healing. Los Angeles: Hamner/Gershwin Productions.
Giger, J. N., & Davidhizar, R. E. (2008). Transcultural nursing: Assessment and intervention (5th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Mosby Elsevier.
Laughter is Good for Your Heart, According to a New University of Maryland Medical Center Study. (2006). Retrieved March 28, 2016, from http://www.umm.edu/news/releases/laughter.html
Nicolson, H. (1956). The English sense of humour: And other essays. London: Constable.
Osborne, H. (2005). Health literacy from A to Z: Practical ways to communicate your health message. Sudbury, Mass: Jones and Bartlett.
Sheldon, L. K. (2014). Communication for nurses: Talking with patients (3rd ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett.
Smith, M.A., M., & Segal, Ph.D, J. (2016, February). Laughter is the Best Medicine. Retrieved March 28, 2016, from http://www.helpguide.org/articles/emotional-health/laughter-is-the-best-medicine.htm
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