Use Humor to Manage Stress
There is much to be said about bringing a little humor into our stress filled lives. Humor can literally diffuse tense situations and can help you cope better through stressful periods.
What The Research Says About Laughter
Dr. Lee Berk and his associates at Loma Linda University in California have been studying the effects of laughter on the immune system. Laughter has been shown to lower blood pressure, reduce stress hormones, increase muscle flexion, and boost immunity. Laughter can also trigger the release of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers (The Laughter-Immune Connection: New Discoveries, Lee S. Berk, DPH, Humor and Health Journal, vol. 5, no. 5, 1996).
A study from the University of Maryland Medical Center (2005) has shown that laughter is good for your heart. This study showed how laughter can literally help blood vessels function better. Researchers found that people with heart disease were 40 percent less likely to laugh in a variety of situations compared to people of the same age without heart disease.
Fun Ways to Learn More About Managing Stress
In The Wise and Witty Stress Solution Kit, you will find loads of FUN and a deck of cards, a fun-filled workbook, a journal,a hilarious CD by Loretta on Life's little stressors, and a red feather boa.
Why humor? Why not? Loretta LaRoche offers a unique approach to help you learn more about how to reduce stress through positive emotions and laughter, and how to make the most out of any situation.
LaRoche's Top Nine Traits to Develop so That You Live a Happier Life
LaRoche also provides very specific exercises to help you develop what she calls the nine most important traits people need to live a happy and successful life: Resilience; Optimism; Connection; Mindfulness; Humor; Respect; Integrity; Creativity; and Purpose.
There are also a ton of humor sites on the internet.
Pendulum Resources suggest a Few Ways to Handle Stress:
- Jam 39 tiny marshmallows up your nose and try to sneeze them out.
- Use your Mastercard to pay your Visa.
- Pop some popcorn without putting the lid on.
- When someone says "have a nice day" tell them you have other plans.
- Find out what a frog in a blender really looks like.
- Forget the Diet Center and send yourself a candygram.
Check out more fun ways to handle stress.
More on Humor and Healing
- The HaHa Institute - International Institute of Humor and Healing Arts
- Laughing At & Understanding Good Humor Seminars - to learn how laughter and humor can be used to cope with stress.
- The Humor Project - dedicated to the cause of humor!
- The World Laugher Tour - become a certified laughter leader
© Copyright, Sylvia Carlson April, 2007. Reproduction wit hout permission prohibited.
