The Truth About Humor And Laughter!

by Roz Trieber, MS, CHES

 

Have you ever heard the following?

• “Laughter is the best medicine,” or “Laughter improves your immunity?”
• Couples who tickle each other before going to bed have happier and longer lasting relationships.
• Raving fans claim how much better business has been since they started laughing and joking with their customers.

Can any of the above statements be validated or supported by scientific study? Ron Berk, Ph.D., professor at The Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, has extensively reviewed humor and laughter scientific literature available to date. Let the truth be known!

TOP 10 BENEFITS AND MYTHS ABOUT HUMOR AND LAUGHTER

(Printed with permission from Ron Berk, Ph.D.,)

Ron Berk, Ph.D.

The Johns Hopkins University

Here is a condensed list of the psychophysiological effects of humor and laughter based on accumulated research evidence. The BENEFITS indicate what claims can be made according to quantitative and qualitative research findings.  The MYTHS are the common beliefs that do not have conclusive research support at this time.

BENEFITS

Humor

1. Reduces negative emotional consequences of stress, anxiety, and tension
2. Decreases depression, loneliness, and anger
3. Improves mood
4. Increases self-esteem
5. Promotes a sense of empowerment

Laughter

1. Increases pain tolerance and threshold
2. Improves respiration and breathing
3. Improves mental functioning (alertness, creativity, and memory)
4. Exercises facial, abdominal, and thoracic muscles
5. Relaxes muscles/decreases muscle tension

MYTHS

Humor

1. Decreases symptoms of illness and medical problems
2. Enhances interpersonal relationships, intimacy, and marriage satisfaction
3. Increases longevity

Laughter

1. Stimulates the production of endorphins which decrease pain
2. Prevents or alleviates pain
3. Lowers heart rate
4. Lowers blood pressure
5. Decreases heart disease
6. Decreases stress hormones (serum cortisol, dopac, and epinephrine)
7. Boosts immune system functions to fight viral and bacterial infections and disease.

• increases immunoglobulin A(IgA), M(IgM), and G(IgG)
• increases natural killer cell activity (NKA)
• increases number of activated T-lymphocytes (T4 and CD4 cells)
• increases T-cell helper/suppressor ratio
• increases levels of Complement 3
• increases number of B-cells
• increases gamma-interferon levels

COPYRIGHT © 2004 Ronald A. Berk, Ph.D.

Without a doubt, humor and laughter are gaining respect. I can’t believe I said that!  Yes, more and more corporate managers, health care administrators and providers, and educators realize the positive benefits that humor and laughter can have on moods, self esteem, coping with stress, and increased learning in the classroom.

Why not wear a pair of Groucho glasses when you meet with your next client or have a joke fest once a month in your office? Teachers, try having your students write a poem or rap song to summarize the lesson you just taught. Let them present their creation to the class. Learning just became fun! If you are feeling a little under the weather, get on top of the weather by taking a daily dose of MirthAid (doing anything that brings a smile to your face and stimulates laughter from the inside out.)  It couldn’t hurt!

 

Roz Trieber works with organizations to reduce stress and increase productivity using humor and improvisation. For more information on Roz ’s speaking programs, books, cd's and learning programs contact HUMORFUSION at 410.998.9585 or Roz@humorfusion.com. (www.humorfusion.com)

© 2004 Copyright by Roz Trieber and Trieber Associates, Inc.

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