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Road to Wellness
Healing Power of Humor
By Janet Berg
We've all heard the saying "Laughter is the best medicine," but how many of us seek humor on a regular basis? It seems that some people find it easier than others to laugh, though humor is actually a learned coping skill that can be practiced and improved (as is optimism).
The stress we deal with is diffused by humor. In The Wellness Book by Herbert Benson M.D. and Eileen Stuart R.N., research shows that, physiologically, this translates into enhanced immune function and that "people who use humor suffer less fatigue, tension, anger, depression and confusion in response to stress." In a study at the Loma Linda University School of Medicine, it was shown that "merely watching a humorous video alters your physiology beneficially -- even those anticipating the humorous video had a lower level of stress hormones."
You must be "in the moment" to enjoy or see the humor. It gives the mind a rest from dwelling on negativity and defuses touchy situations.
Looking for the humor in an otherwise grim situation can be a lifesaver. Norman Cousins felt that there was a direct correlation between laughter and the remission of his terminal illness.
A good bout of laughter seems to rebalance our systems and relax us in body, mind and spirit -- it even works our abs. Humor strikes a chord of familiarity and identification and helps us see how absurd our behavior can be. Learning to lighten up and laugh at ourselves helps improve our moods, our health, our relationships with others and the quality of our lives. ©
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Previously in The Road to Wellness
Help Heal the World
By Kate Jacobs
(September 12, 2002)
Connecting to Nature
By Janet Berg
(September 5, 2002)
Herbs for Life, Part 3
By Kate Jacobs
(August 29, 2002)
more...
Other articles by Janet Berg
The Road to Wellness (August 22, 2002)
The Road to Wellness (August 1, 2002)
The Road to Wellness (July 25, 2002)
more...
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