Humor Class #5 - Tuesday - Physiological Benefits to Humor.
When the Humor students enter the classroom, they find Pippi sitting on the front desk, next to an overhead projector.
Also set out is coffee, tea, and a variety of delightful and fresh baked goods.
"Hi everybody! As you know I'm Dr. Wilson's TA. He can't be here today so you're all stuck with me! I got stuff to show you though, so keep your eyes trained on the screen." She explained crossing her eyes momentarily.
Humor Class #5 Physiological Benefits to Humor.
Wilson had sent along overheads for Pippi to put up on the projector for the students to take notes, in lieu of his usual lecture. Though he had little comments written on the transparencies at particular points he wanted the students to note.
You can bet you’ll see this definition on the exam Psychoneuroimmunology - The science of studying the benefits of laughter to our immune system.
Lecture
“When we laugh, natural killer cells which destroy tumours and viruses increase, along with Gamma-interferon (a disease-fighting protein), T-cells (important for our immune system) and B-cells (which make disease-fighting antibodies). As well as lowering blood pressure, laughter increases oxygen in the blood, which also encourages healing.” "Science of Laughter” Discovery Health Website
“Without humor one's thought processes are likely to become stuck and narrowly focused leading to increased distress.” Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor
“Laughter is very powerful medicine. It can lower stress, dissolve anger and unite families in their resolve to overcome troubled times.” University of Nebraska
"Nothing is good or bad. It is thinking that makes it so." Shakespeare
“By the time a child reaches nursery school, he or she will laugh about 300 times a day. Adults laugh an average of 17 times a day.” “Science of Laughter” Discovery Health
What are the health benefits of humor and laughter?
The sound of roaring laughter is far more contagious than any cough, sniffle, or sneeze. Humor and laughter can cause a domino effect of joy and amusement, as well as set off a number of positive physical effects. 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, and
• make you feel good.
"Doctor I have a ringing in my ears." "Don't answer!" - Henny Youngman
Laughter activates the chemistry of the will to live and increases our capacity to fight disease. Laughing relaxes the body and reduces problems associated with high blood pressure, strokes, arthritis, and ulcers. Some research suggests that laughter may also reduce the risk of heart disease. Historically, research has shown that distressing emotions (depression, anger, anxiety, and stress) are all related to heart disease. A study done at the University of Maryland Medical Center suggests that a good sense of humor and the ability to laugh at stressful situations helps mitigate the damaging physical effects of distressing emotions. Some other specifics about laughter’s affect on the body are listed below.
Laughter lowers blood pressure. People who laugh heartily on a regular basis have lower standing blood pressure than the average person. When people have a good laugh, initially the blood pressure increases, but then it decreases to levels below normal. Breathing then becomes deeper which sends oxygen enriched blood and nutrients throughout the body.
Humor changes our biochemical state. Laughter decreases stress hormones and increases infection fighting antibodies. It increases our attentiveness, heart rate, and pulse.
Laughter protects the heart. Laughter, along with an active sense of humor, may help protect you against a heart attack, according to the study at the University of Maryland Medical Center (cited above). The study, which is the first to indicate that laughter may help prevent heart disease, found that people with heart disease were 40 percent less likely to laugh in a variety of situations compared to people of the same age without heart disease.
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.
Humor 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.
What is the difference between hurtful and healthful humor?
In general, healthful humor stimulates wit, mirth, or laughter. It creates closeness and intimacy between people. Hurtful humor creates pain and distance.Often healthful humor pokes fun at oneself and situations while harmful humor pokes fun at other individuals or groups. Sarcasm, put downs, ethnic jokes, and anti jokes (anti men, women, religious groups, nationalities, ethnicity, etc) are all considered hurtful as opposed to therapeutic. "Laughing with others is an ice breaker while laughing at others is an ice maker."
Class Participation:
Health benefits of laughter
University of Maryland Media News has several articles that offer results of a study that shows a good sense of humor may help prevent heart disease and heart attacks. The articles also contain a multiple-choice humor survey to rate your "laugh protection" against heart disease..
LAUGHTER IS GOOD FOR YOUR HEART, ACCORDING TO A NEW UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND MEDICAL CENTER STUDY
Laughter, along with an active sense of humor, may help protect you against a heart attack, according to a new study by cardiologists at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore. The study, which is the first to indicate that laughter may help prevent heart disease, was presented at the American Heart Association’s 73rd Scientific Sessions on November 15 in New Orleans. The researchers found that people with heart disease were 40 percent less likely to laugh in a variety of situations compared to people of the same age without heart disease.
"The old saying that ‘laughter is the best medicine,’ definitely appears to be true when it comes to protecting your heart," says Michael Miller, M.D., F.A.C.C., director of the Center for Preventive Cardiology at the University of Maryland Medical Center. “We don’t know yet why laughing protects the heart, but we know that mental stress is associated with impairment of the endothelium, the protective barrier lining our blood vessels. This can cause a series of inflammatory reactions that lead to fat and cholesterol build-up in the coronary arteries and ultimately to a heart attack,” says Dr. Miller who is also an associate professor of medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.
In the study, researchers compared the humor responses of 300 people. Half of the participants had either suffered a heart attack or had undergone coronary artery bypass surgery. The other 150 were healthy, age-matched participants who did not have heart disease.
Participants in the study were asked to complete two questionnaires. One questionnaire had a series of multiple-choice answers to find out how much or how little the participant laughs in certain situations. The second questionnaire used 50 true or false answers to measure anger and hostility.
For example, the questions included the following:
From the multiple-choice section:
• If you arrived at a party and found that someone else was wearing a piece of clothing identical to yours, would you (a) not find it particularly amusing (b) be amused but not show it outwardly (c) smile (d) laugh or (e) laugh heartily.
• If you were eating in a restaurant with some friends and the waiter accidentally spilled a drink on you, would you (a) not find it particularly amusing (b) be amused but not show it outwardly (c) smile (d) laugh or (e) laugh heartily.
From the true or false section:
• I often wonder what hidden reasons another person may have for doing something nice for me. True or False.
• I am likely not to talk to people until they speak to me. True or False
People with heart disease were less likely to recognize humor or use it to get out of uncomfortable situations. They generally laughed less, even in positive situations and they displayed more anger and hostility.
“The ability to laugh - either naturally or as learned behavior may have important implications in societies such as the U.S. where heart disease remains the number one killer,” says Dr. Miller. “We know that exercising, not smoking and eating foods low in saturated fat will reduce the risk of heart disease. Perhaps regular, hearty laughter should be added to the list.” Dr. Miller says it may be possible to incorporate laugher into our daily activities, just as we do with other heart-healthy activities, such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator.
“We could perhaps read something humorous or watch a funny video and try to find ways to take ourselves less seriously,” Dr. Miller says. “The recommendation for a healthy heart may one day be -- exercise, eat right and laugh a few times a day.”
Notes from Wilson
Today I want you to take this survery and submit your results to Pippi at the end of the class. Homework will be an extra week to find and partner yourselves up for the project which will be due at the end of the semester and worth 20% of your final grade so pair up wisely.
Mr. Sanders, Mr. Griffin, Mr. Dorian I will be holding special office hours on Friday and would like you three to attend or call and make an appointment.
[ooc: PLEASE WAIT FOR OCD. OPEN! Class shamelessly cribbed from the following sources Help Guide and “The University of Maryland Medical Center”]
Also set out is coffee, tea, and a variety of delightful and fresh baked goods.
"Hi everybody! As you know I'm Dr. Wilson's TA. He can't be here today so you're all stuck with me! I got stuff to show you though, so keep your eyes trained on the screen." She explained crossing her eyes momentarily.
Humor Class #5 Physiological Benefits to Humor.
Wilson had sent along overheads for Pippi to put up on the projector for the students to take notes, in lieu of his usual lecture. Though he had little comments written on the transparencies at particular points he wanted the students to note.
You can bet you’ll see this definition on the exam Psychoneuroimmunology - The science of studying the benefits of laughter to our immune system.
Lecture
“When we laugh, natural killer cells which destroy tumours and viruses increase, along with Gamma-interferon (a disease-fighting protein), T-cells (important for our immune system) and B-cells (which make disease-fighting antibodies). As well as lowering blood pressure, laughter increases oxygen in the blood, which also encourages healing.” "Science of Laughter” Discovery Health Website
“Without humor one's thought processes are likely to become stuck and narrowly focused leading to increased distress.” Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor
“Laughter is very powerful medicine. It can lower stress, dissolve anger and unite families in their resolve to overcome troubled times.” University of Nebraska
"Nothing is good or bad. It is thinking that makes it so." Shakespeare
“By the time a child reaches nursery school, he or she will laugh about 300 times a day. Adults laugh an average of 17 times a day.” “Science of Laughter” Discovery Health
What are the health benefits of humor and laughter?
The sound of roaring laughter is far more contagious than any cough, sniffle, or sneeze. Humor and laughter can cause a domino effect of joy and amusement, as well as set off a number of positive physical effects. 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, and
• make you feel good.
"Doctor I have a ringing in my ears." "Don't answer!" - Henny Youngman
Laughter activates the chemistry of the will to live and increases our capacity to fight disease. Laughing relaxes the body and reduces problems associated with high blood pressure, strokes, arthritis, and ulcers. Some research suggests that laughter may also reduce the risk of heart disease. Historically, research has shown that distressing emotions (depression, anger, anxiety, and stress) are all related to heart disease. A study done at the University of Maryland Medical Center suggests that a good sense of humor and the ability to laugh at stressful situations helps mitigate the damaging physical effects of distressing emotions. Some other specifics about laughter’s affect on the body are listed below.
Laughter lowers blood pressure. People who laugh heartily on a regular basis have lower standing blood pressure than the average person. When people have a good laugh, initially the blood pressure increases, but then it decreases to levels below normal. Breathing then becomes deeper which sends oxygen enriched blood and nutrients throughout the body.
Humor changes our biochemical state. Laughter decreases stress hormones and increases infection fighting antibodies. It increases our attentiveness, heart rate, and pulse.
Laughter protects the heart. Laughter, along with an active sense of humor, may help protect you against a heart attack, according to the study at the University of Maryland Medical Center (cited above). The study, which is the first to indicate that laughter may help prevent heart disease, found that people with heart disease were 40 percent less likely to laugh in a variety of situations compared to people of the same age without heart disease.
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.
Humor 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.
What is the difference between hurtful and healthful humor?
In general, healthful humor stimulates wit, mirth, or laughter. It creates closeness and intimacy between people. Hurtful humor creates pain and distance.Often healthful humor pokes fun at oneself and situations while harmful humor pokes fun at other individuals or groups. Sarcasm, put downs, ethnic jokes, and anti jokes (anti men, women, religious groups, nationalities, ethnicity, etc) are all considered hurtful as opposed to therapeutic. "Laughing with others is an ice breaker while laughing at others is an ice maker."
Class Participation:
Health benefits of laughter
University of Maryland Media News has several articles that offer results of a study that shows a good sense of humor may help prevent heart disease and heart attacks. The articles also contain a multiple-choice humor survey to rate your "laugh protection" against heart disease..
LAUGHTER IS GOOD FOR YOUR HEART, ACCORDING TO A NEW UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND MEDICAL CENTER STUDY
Laughter, along with an active sense of humor, may help protect you against a heart attack, according to a new study by cardiologists at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore. The study, which is the first to indicate that laughter may help prevent heart disease, was presented at the American Heart Association’s 73rd Scientific Sessions on November 15 in New Orleans. The researchers found that people with heart disease were 40 percent less likely to laugh in a variety of situations compared to people of the same age without heart disease.
"The old saying that ‘laughter is the best medicine,’ definitely appears to be true when it comes to protecting your heart," says Michael Miller, M.D., F.A.C.C., director of the Center for Preventive Cardiology at the University of Maryland Medical Center. “We don’t know yet why laughing protects the heart, but we know that mental stress is associated with impairment of the endothelium, the protective barrier lining our blood vessels. This can cause a series of inflammatory reactions that lead to fat and cholesterol build-up in the coronary arteries and ultimately to a heart attack,” says Dr. Miller who is also an associate professor of medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.
In the study, researchers compared the humor responses of 300 people. Half of the participants had either suffered a heart attack or had undergone coronary artery bypass surgery. The other 150 were healthy, age-matched participants who did not have heart disease.
Participants in the study were asked to complete two questionnaires. One questionnaire had a series of multiple-choice answers to find out how much or how little the participant laughs in certain situations. The second questionnaire used 50 true or false answers to measure anger and hostility.
For example, the questions included the following:
From the multiple-choice section:
• If you arrived at a party and found that someone else was wearing a piece of clothing identical to yours, would you (a) not find it particularly amusing (b) be amused but not show it outwardly (c) smile (d) laugh or (e) laugh heartily.
• If you were eating in a restaurant with some friends and the waiter accidentally spilled a drink on you, would you (a) not find it particularly amusing (b) be amused but not show it outwardly (c) smile (d) laugh or (e) laugh heartily.
From the true or false section:
• I often wonder what hidden reasons another person may have for doing something nice for me. True or False.
• I am likely not to talk to people until they speak to me. True or False
People with heart disease were less likely to recognize humor or use it to get out of uncomfortable situations. They generally laughed less, even in positive situations and they displayed more anger and hostility.
“The ability to laugh - either naturally or as learned behavior may have important implications in societies such as the U.S. where heart disease remains the number one killer,” says Dr. Miller. “We know that exercising, not smoking and eating foods low in saturated fat will reduce the risk of heart disease. Perhaps regular, hearty laughter should be added to the list.” Dr. Miller says it may be possible to incorporate laugher into our daily activities, just as we do with other heart-healthy activities, such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator.
“We could perhaps read something humorous or watch a funny video and try to find ways to take ourselves less seriously,” Dr. Miller says. “The recommendation for a healthy heart may one day be -- exercise, eat right and laugh a few times a day.”
Notes from Wilson
Today I want you to take this survery and submit your results to Pippi at the end of the class. Homework will be an extra week to find and partner yourselves up for the project which will be due at the end of the semester and worth 20% of your final grade so pair up wisely.
Mr. Sanders, Mr. Griffin, Mr. Dorian I will be holding special office hours on Friday and would like you three to attend or call and make an appointment.
[ooc: PLEASE WAIT FOR OCD. OPEN! Class shamelessly cribbed from the following sources Help Guide and “The University of Maryland Medical Center”]