It’s the beginning of school and the first class of the day is everything but comfortable. It is much too early in the morning; nobody knows anybody and awkward looks are being exchanged around the room. Just as the anxiety is about to intensify suddenly the professor walks into the room only to stumble on her own foot damaging the projector causing all of her books to fall out of her hands and spilling her coffee all over her white top. Several students get up to help the poor professor while the remaining students now begin to exchange light hearted smiles with one another. Not so much to laugh and look down at the professor but because the aura of the room has strangely changed. Smirks replace distance and discomfort. Laughs replace unfamiliarity. Humor healed what could have been a very uneasy start to the school year.
Humor has the power to heal to revitalize
Although the above scenario may appear as though it is not very significant the truth is humor has a healing power that can touch even the most complicated situations and yet most people are not aware of it. Its impact can even date back to the Proverbs where 17:22 notes “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.”
That’s right the latter of that statement indeed alludes to a death anticipated too soon. Sadly too often this is the result for many people who have allowed the challenges they face in their life to consume the entirety of their being. It may seem farfetched and slightly ironic yet embracing a comical outlook on life’s difficulties can sometimes be the most reliable remedy.
Both physiologically and emotionally a simple laugh can alleviate physical pains as well as mental strains. According to the American Cancer Society humor therapy is a “complementary tool to promote health enhance immune system performance and cope with illness.”
This statement is evident in daily clinical practices as well. Oncologist and Hematologist Dr. Nabil Phillips has faith in this remedy and counts it as the most successful means to overcome any type of diagnosis of cancer. “When I meet with my patients I am always telling jokes and remaining enthusiastic no matter what we are dealing with not only because this is my nature but because I have seen the effect it has had on them. They are often eager to come back and meet with me. From my experience those with the highest hopes and biggest smiles are the ones to survive and heal even faster.”
When you see clowns or comedians at hospitals their function is not only to allow patients to burn a few calories through a little laughter but this laughter also serves to stimulate the circulatory respiratory and immune systems promoting a faster healing process.
Cultivating humor during a solemn experience in life may seem difficult and downright inappropriate to some yet those who have experienced its positive effects testify to its ability to keep one remaining optimistic. Pressures ranging from finances career concerns educational goals personal relationships and physical appearance often cause an individual to drown in the all too American term we call stress. Senior Cindy Ananias recounts how this remedy worked for her. “During finals week my friend and I were in the library for a good 24 hours although we were in the midst of torture just looking outside of the box and seeing how we basically moved in with our food and blankets made us laugh so much. It definitely helped me get through the situation.” Avoiding a stressful outlook on life can be achieved through merely looking at the bright side of things an alternative very few have chosen to take in today’s fast paced society where negativity is frequently the first reaction.
Finding a way to laugh at one’s own circumstances can go a long way to reduce the stress being felt beforehand. Laughter causes the release of endorphins improves blood flow and strengthens immunity. An individual can become revitalized with fresh energy feel detached from the issue at hand and most importantly reduce anxiety and produce spontaneity. So go ahead laugh alone or laugh with friends. Just laugh. It’s free!