Managing Stress with Humor

2 Stress  Individual/Family  “Fight or flight”  Physical symptoms  Mental symptoms  Learning to handle stress is a skill

3 Laughter Therapy  Releases pain.  Helps heal.  Expresses emotion.  Increases self-esteem/self confidence.  Teaches us a new way to look at situations.  Helps us to cry.  Laughing with others brings us closer; encourages teamwork.  Helps us think “out of the box”.  Strengthens the immune system.

4 Facts About Laughter  It’s contagious.  It doesn’t come from happiness – we are happy because we laugh. Laughter can come from tension, stress and pain.  It can help your body in dealing with situations like crying, sweating, yawning, trembling and raging do.  It’s a cathartic part of the healing process.

5 Self-Esteem Get in touch with your feelings:  Art  Journal  Self-assessment/Self-talk  The little engine that could  Raise the sky

6 Benefits of Laughter  Dilation of the cardiovascular system increases flexibility.  Exercises our blood vessels by increasing our heart rate.  Diaphragm convulses – internal organs get massaged.  Gulp in air and then we send out air at a rate of 70 mph – great exercise for our respiratory system.  Produces beta endorphins which reduce pain as well as produce cortisol which is a natural anti-inflammatory for arthritis.  Belly laughter is cardiovascular exercise.

7 How to Laugh More  Take control of your feelings.  Enjoy and learn from your problems.  Charlie Chaplin – take the pain and play with it.  Laugh about the unlaughable.  Surround yourself with useful, positive materials/people.  Plan and prioritize your life.

8 Ways to Laugh More Laugh in front of a mirror for 15 seconds – until your belly shakes. Wear bright colors. Conduct or pretend to conduct music. Stand up straight – look alert. Even if you have to fake it – ACT HAPPY!!!

9 Resources Books Tapes Sitcoms Laughter club Surrounding yourself with people who love to laugh Teaching others