A Humourous Disposition

This article has been submitted by a GrownUps member. GrownUps accepts no liability for its content and the views and information contained within are not necessarily those of the GrownUps website.

Humour ~ more than caned laughter. By Allen Little (c) 2007

A humorous disposition

By Allen J Little QSM,JP

www.kiwllittle.net

In fast changing economic times when the world media and politicians would have us think life could be a bit tough. I believe people with an ability to laugh and smile will survive to tell a tale. These thoughts have been edited out of a Conference paper I presented in Adelaide during April 2008.

“Humour” is not simply about being hilariously funny and or entertaining ones self or others with endless laughter. My aim was to give some practical comments on coping using the funny things which happen to and about us in every day life.

“Humour” is according to Christopher Morley “a sense of intellectual perspective: an awareness that some things are really important, others not; and that the two kinds are most oddly jumbled in everyday affairs”

Some of the topics I touched on included: -

• Funny things happen,

• Learning to laugh,

• Physiology of laughter,

• Health & well being,

• Being yourself,

• Sensitivities,

• Atmosphere,

• Energy & imagination,

• Comedy,

Web References:-

http://www.humourfoundation.com.au/

http://www.chy.com.au/

http://www.cultureandrecreation.gov.au/articles/humour/

I feel we need to take every opportunity to bring more “humour” and laughter into our lives.

The sound of roaring laughter is far more contagious than any cough, sniffle, or sneeze. Humour and laughter can cause a domino effect of joy and amusement, as well as set off a number of positive physical effects. Humour and laughter strengthen our immune systems and help us recover from illness, as well as bring joy into our lives. The question is, how do we gain access to this priceless medicine?

A sense of humour is notoriously valuable in coping with adversity. Perhaps self-deprecating humour is most effective, for it reduces the need to protect the ego from reality. Personal humour deflects self-pity, which is a corrosive emotion

The Health benefits of Humour and laughter are well documented but sadly too many high flyers today fail to recognise them. A good hearty laugh can help: -

• reduce stress

• lower blood pressure

• elevate mood

• boost immune system

• improve brain functioning

• protect the heart

• connect you to others

• foster instant relaxation

• make you feel good.

Humour changes our biochemical state. Laughter decreases stress hormones and increases infection fighting antibodies. It increases our attentiveness, heart rate, and pulse.

Laughter gives our bodies a good workout. Laughter can be a great workout for your diaphragm, abdominal, respiratory, facial, leg, and back muscles. It massages abdominal organs, tones intestinal functioning, and strengthens the muscles that hold the abdominal organs in place. Not only does laughter give your midsection a workout, it can benefit digestion and absorption functioning as well. It is estimated that hearty laughter can burn calories equivalent to several minutes on the rowing machine or the exercise bike.

Humour improves brain function and relieves stress. Laughter stimulates both sides of the brain to enhance learning. It eases muscle tension and psychological stress, which keeps the brain alert and allows people to retain more information

Humour improves mental and emotional health

Humour is a powerful emotional medicine that can lower stress, dissolve anger and unite families in troubled times. Mood is elevated by striving to find Humour in difficult and frustrating situations. Laughing at ourselves and the situation helps reveal that small things are not the earth-shaking events they sometimes seem to be. Looking at a problem from a different perspective can make it seem less formidable and provide opportunities for greater objectivity and insight. Humour also helps us avoid loneliness by connecting with others who are attracted to genuine cheerfulness. And the good feeling that we get when we laugh can remain with us as an internal experience even after the laughter subsides.

Mental health professionals point out that Humour can also teach perspective by helping patients to see reality rather than the distortion that supports their distress. Humour shifts the ways in which we think, and distress is greatly associated with the way we think. It is not situations that generate our stress, it is the meaning we place on the situations. Humour adjusts the meaning of an event so that it is not so overwhelming.

Here are some additional things we can do to improve our mood, enjoyment of life and mental health.

Attempt to laugh at situations rather than bemoan them – this helps improve our disposition and the disposition of those around us.

Use cathartic laughter to release pent-up feelings of anger and frustration in socially acceptable ways.

Laugh as a means of reducing tension because laughter is often followed by a state of relaxation.

Lower anxiety by visualizing a Humorous situation to replace the view of an anxiety-producing situation

Humour helps us stay emotionally healthy

A healthy sense of Humour is related to being able to laugh at oneself and one's life. Laughing at oneself can be a way of accepting and respecting oneself. Lack of a sense of Humour is directly related to lower self esteem. (Note that laughing at oneself can also be unhealthy if one laughs as a way of self degradation.)

Our work, marriage and family all need Humour, celebrations, play and ritual as much as record-keeping and problem-solving. We should ask the questions "Do we laugh together?" as well as "Can we get through this hardship together?" Humour binds us together, lightens our burdens and helps us keep things in perspective. One of the things that saps our energy is the time, focus and effort we put into coping with life's problems including each other's limitations. Our families, our friends and our neighbors are not perfect and neither are our marriages, our kids or our in-laws. When we laugh together, it can bind us closer together instead of pulling us apart.

Remember that even in the most difficult of times, a laugh, or even simply a smile, can go a long way in helping us feel better

Laughter is the shortest distance between two people.

Humour unites us, especially when we laugh together.

Laughter heals.

Laughs and smiles are enjoyed best when shared with others.

To laugh or not to laugh is your choice.

Bringing more Humour and laughter into our lives

If laughter is the best medicine, where is the pharmacy where we can fill our prescriptions?

print