The Healing Power of Laughter
by Janine Roe, CTRS
Many researchers believe that the purpose of laughter is related to making and strengthening human connections. Some researchers believe that laughter, like the bird’s song, functions as a kind of social signal. According to Dr. William Fry, “Laughing for 10 minutes is similar to rowing on a machine 100 times.”
Other health benefits of laughter include:
- Speeds up production of new immune cells
- Lowers blood pressure
- Promotes relaxation
- Increases oxygen level in blood creating more energy
- Increases joy, more positive, optimistic mood
- Provides sense of control
Increasingly, mental health professionals are suggesting "laughter therapy" which teaches people how to laugh, openly at things that aren’t usually funny and to cope in difficult situations using humor. Following the lead of real-life funny doctor, Patch Adams (portrayed by Robin Williams in a movie by the same name), doctors and psychiatrists are becoming more aware of the therapeutic benefits of laughter and humor.
Why is Humor Essential to an Individual’s Mental Health?
- Assists us to connect with others
- Reduces stress by assisting us to view the world with perspective
- Helps us by replacing distressing emotions with pleasurable feelings
- Changes how we behave
In working environments where humor is supported there develops a culture that utilizes the humor to reduce stress and provide perspective.
Humor as a Recognized Asset in the Workplace:
- Humor facilitates communication
- Humor builds relationships
- Humor reduces stress
- Humor provides perspective
- Humor promotes attendance and energizes individuals
Humor is being recognized more an more throughout the healthcare field as a therapeutic intervention in the care and well being of patients. This is evidenced by the fact that several healthcare facilities and hospitals are using “comedy carts,” with joke books, games, and videos. Others are using “humor rooms” where patients can go to relax, providing a pleasant environment along with television, books, games and many other items. It is important that we realize that we can't cure everything but we can as healthcare providers care for everyone.
Overall, humor can be a useful intervention in many aspects:
- Effective communication
- Creative problem solving
- Relief of tension
- Deflection of anger
- Diffusion of conflict
- Allowance of imperfections
- Creating of positive atmosphere
- Energizes ourselves and others
Let’s take advantage of this powerful tool at our disposal. Everyone can use a good laugh, including ourselves.