Background: Humor, laughter and play have been therapeutic interventions used on pediatric patients for many years. More recently, the use of humor has shown to improve adult patient, outcomes as well. Humor therapy is a complimentary intervention that is used either with or in place of traditional medicine. Benefits of therapeutic humor include biological, and psychological. Humor therapy has also shown to improve nurse-patient relationships and communication.
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of laughter/humor therapy on the outcomes of the adult patient population including biological, psychological, and the nurse-patient relationship, by analyzing current research. Implementation of complimentary
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According to the CDC (2015), 48.1 percent of Americans reported taking one prescription medication, while 21.8 percent reported taking three or more. Opioid narcotics are one of the most commonly prescribed medications in the US (CDC, 2015). They are prescribed for pain control, but have more recently been associated with drug abuse. The CDC (2016) reported that two million Americans either abused or overdosed on prescription opioids in the year 2014; over half of which were prescribed. Antidepressants are also one of the most commonly prescribed medications, more-so to the female population, as they are at a higher risk for mental health disorders (O’Mullan, C., Doherty, M., Coates, R., & Tilley, P. M. (2014). Common side effects of antidepressants include, but are not limited to: nausea, headache, somnolence, fatigue, constipation, decreased appetite, and vertigo (Kikuchi, Uchida, Suzuki, Watanabe, & Kashima, 2011).
Importance of the Study The problem identified is that a large population of American adults are not only suffering from their diseases, but from unwanted effects of medications prescribed to manage these diseases. Fortunately, there are complementary and alternative treatments that have been proven to improve patient outcomes; that could potentially decrease the need for as many prescription medications. The purpose of this study is to identify the use of therapeutic humor, a
1-Aside from improving our moods, laughter can reduce stress, help fight infection, and reduce pain.
"Successively, Selekman explains that fostering therapist-client cooperation is purposive use of self-disclosure, the use of humor, normalizing, demonstrating cultural and gender sensitivity, and therapeutic compliments. Mark Twain once said, 'Against the assault of laughter nothing can stand.' Humor can help generate a relaxed atmosphere, influence the client from his or her concerns, and heal those in pain. Madanes (1984) contend that what makes change possible is the therapist's ability to be confident and to see what is funny or desirable in a dire situation'. Laughter releases hormones from the
Norman Cousins said, “Laughter is a powerful way to tap positive emotions" (Moss 1). Humor is studied by many researchers in sociology, psychology, art, literature, and medicine. When people wonder whether humor aids in areas other than health, a treasure trove of possible benefits to the learning or educational community is opened up. Humor can be used as a tool to promote learning.Research speaks to the many benefits of humor in healing, to its benefits in the classroom or boardroom, from reducing stress of students or employees, to boosting self-esteem and feelings of camaraderie. Additionally, studies show that those who use humor to convey a message are often more favorably perceived. Humor helps deliver the presenter's message to
Laughter relates to positive thinking. The positive thinking helps us to improve our immune system and become healthier. It helps in removing the negative thoughts from our mind and not letting our immune system become worse further.
Laughter also proves a vital role in helping the patients deal with their problems. Not only does it help them deal with problems but it also gave them the push toward progress on getting out of the institution.
Laughter is essential to our very existence. It can get you out of a bad day or out of a sad moment. Syvia is a primary example. Syvia’s family is in a situation where her mother has to give her portion of her meal to Syvia. Her Dad explains that “From pain your mother gave you life, through pain she continues to give (Doc A).”
Patch may have been on to something since science itself claims laughter is good for the human body. For one, decreasing the pain you feel and helping your blood vessels to function better; allowing them to expand which increases blood flow. All of which is good for the heart and brain. (Hara Estroff Marano,
Laughter also proves a vital role in helping the patients deal with their problems. Not only does it help them deal with problems but it also gave them the push toward progress on getting out of the institution.
This novel involves a mess of symbolism, thus the issue in showing why laughter could be a key theme is vast. Look how many of the patients "can't help it....they're tired(52 Kesey) when in reality they are sick of the life they are living. With the aim of laughter as a healing agent, take a moment to look towards alternative influential writers and thinkers to tie along happiness and healing. Meriden's dictionary says: laughter- n. a reason for merriment. With this basic understanding of this, laughter seen as merriment or feeling like success, hatred, liberation, and virtually the other feeling that can happen, it is straightforward to image in
People always say that laughter alleviates tension. If this is the case, then it makes sense that the use of humor when discussing uncomfortable topics can make the conversation easier and more light-hearted. One of Mark Twain’s most frequently used devices in works such as “Advice to Youth”, “To the Person Sitting in Darkness”, and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is satire, which can provide society a method to bond over uncomfortable topics, and facilitate the ability to sustain that bond through an easier way to create discussion.
Humor is a very important tool that medical assistants use to help relieve an anxious patient. The way the medical assistant treats a patient affects the patient in every way. In some cases, a patient feels more comfortable talking to the
Joking is often a way for individuals to find light in a very dark situation. The medical arena often serves as a great stage for horrific and tragic events to take place. As a way to alleviate the depth of despair in these situations, many people resort to playful banter to distract from such negativity. Much research has been done on the role humor plays in the doctor-patient relationship (Watson, 2011, p. 38). This research typically aims to look at the benefit that humor may provide to patients in interactions with their physician (Watson, 2011, p. 38). However, little study has been given to the way physicians joke amongst themselves about death (Watson, 2011, p. 38). The method of joking that medical professionals use with each other
Play is a way for children to learn about their environment and how interaction occurs within. It is through trial and error that children are able to create options; follow their own interests and show “independence in thought and actions” using their knowledge and understanding (Moyles, 2005, p.3). Children develop resilience though play. However for a number of children can experience stressful occurrences during their lives and play can often be restricted. Therefore the play worker’s role in supporting children’s play is a crucial measure towards children's development. For those that work with children require the dexterity to prompt and contribute to children’s play, which can be seen as a principle aspect of therapeutic alliance.
Van Wormer, K., and M. Boes. "HUMOR IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM: A Social Work Perspective." Welcome! Web. 23 Sept. 2011. .
As humans, laughing and joking is something that comes natural. This is something that we have been doing even before we knew how to walk or talk. As we start to grow up, we all develop personality traits and our humor styles follow. Before taking this course, I have never consider identifying what my humor styles are until now. I took the Humor Style Questionnaire (Martin et al. 2003) and calculated that my top humor style is self-enhancing and closely following is affiliative. Throughout this paper I am going to reflect on my top humor styles with personal examples, and how it relates to my mental health, with several methods I can use to make myself healthier and happier. I will also be considering the other two styles and how then do not relate to my humor style and mental health.