Humor, Humor And Laughter

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

Based on Cancer Connect.com, a website on Mind-Body Interventions Complementary Alternative Medicine categories has stated that one research has published in Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 2003 laughter could be a key factor in helping to boost the immune system which may reduce stress and increase natural killer cell levels, a type of white blood cell that attacks cancer cells.

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).”

Through laughter, they are able to “forget” their pain, and their spirits are able to rise from their

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,

Mairs describes the uncertainty of an incorrect diagnosis of a brain tumor, followed by a correct diagnosis of multiple sclerosis a year and a half later. She tells of the physical changes that came on slowly, and how they led to forced changes in her routines and ultimately her way of thinking. Yet through these hardships a sense of humor is persistent in her writing. She tells of an afternoon out with a friend in which she trips and falls, flat and hard, onto the asphalt, interrupting her friend’s story in mid-sentence. This may not be something most people would find entertaining, but Mairs does, citing that humor is important in any life threatening illness.

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

The role of a doctor is not just to prevent death, but rather to enhance the overall human experience. Patch lives by a simple phrase, which is essentially “What’s the point on living if you’re going to be miserable?” Patch is well aware that creating laughter is the best solution to solving one’s emotional and physical instabilities. According to Patch, laughter increases circulation within the body, which directly correlates to the cure for numerous diseases.

Stern’s diagnosis provokes a humorous response to his patients. Dr. Stern’s patients are archetypes to the incessant fears that are perceptively life consuming in contrast to Dr. Stern’s situation. The dark humor evokes a response upon Dr. Stern’s behalf to give tough love and an active approach to resolve such issues. This humor manifests into slapstick and situational humor where the patients might not be aware of the reason of the sudden change of methodology. This humor directly translates to the audience where the threat of death is seen less severe.

While doing an Interview for the “nightline” show; the reporter compliments Morrie, “You look fine”. Morrie replied, unexpected from a dying person, was “That’s what everyone tells me”. The importance of humor is the most familiar way in which reframing is used. We tend to see problems like problems, but humor helps us see situations differently through amusing lens. Your emotions can easily shift and your effectiveness increase, while bringing humor to your perceptions. Morrie used his humor as a weapon to battle his illness. While chatting with Mitch, he mentioned that “someone pretty soon was going to have to swipe my ass… after all, I get to be a baby one more time”. Humor helped him to reframe his life after illness. It was like a pain killer, humor can do that and more! Through laughter you are able to relieve stress, depression, pain, recover, and increase your immune system. Every time that Morrie was asked about his illness and the effects, he would always answer with a joke. He wasn’t making fun of him, or offending people; rather he was having fun in the long process of death.

Imagine a vast concert hall filled with people. The audience excitedly clamor in anticipation for the main star of this event. The event they paid so much money for, cleared up time in their schedule for, spent time getting to the event for. As the lights dim, the spotlight shines on the center stage. Then an average person emerges on the stage with a thousand eyes’ on him. He only has with a microphone in his hand. Just a typical person, with a normal gait and normal sense of fashion. However, after speaking a few words in the microphone, the crowd bursts into a cacophony of laughter. No matter how ordinary or extraordinary the person, entertainment through humor is universal. Utilizing humor, an extensive language of amusement, to open perspectives and challenge what is conceived right or wrong can be impactful- if done correctly. Dave Sedaris accomplishes that goal when he uses humor to illustrate his dilemma because of his identity. Despite being an accomplished successful comedian, author, radio show host, certain people look down at him as just a homosexual freak. Rather than gravely addressing his opposition, Sedaris utilizes a jovial yet relatable anecdote called “Chicken in a Henhouse”. Incorporating ideas from Ardian Bardon’s “The Philosophy of Humor”, specifically, the three theories of humor: superiority theory, incongruity theory and relief theory, Sedaris argues that the American public stereotypes homosexuals as pedophiles and ,as a result, they feel