By: Cyndi Summers

A Whole New Mind Joyfulness, as exemplified by unconditional laughter, is demonstrating its power to make us more productive and fulfilled. In the Conceptual Age, fun and games are not just fun and games- and laughter is no laughing matter. Humor is showing itself to be an accurate marker for managerial effectiveness, emotional intelligence, and the thinking style characteristic of the brain’s right hemisphere. Pink

Fundamentals of Humor Understand that a SERIOUS demeanor does not make you successful in life or workImplement humor to make a MESSAGE more MEMORABLERecognize the value of humor in creating a healthier PERSPECTIVEConnect with others using humor and laughter for a more BALANCED life

Research University of Maryland School of Medicine (2005) * Study states that mental stress constricts blood vessels, reducing blood flow. *Laughter causes the tissue that forms the inner lining of blood vessels (endothelium) to expand, increasing blood flow. It boosts immunity too. * Laughter delivers oxygen to the brain, keeps your heart beating and burns 3 ½ calories per hearty laugh.

More Research Physical Effects Merely anticipating something funny reduces levels of at least four of the neuroendocrine hormones associated with stress. Depression fell by 51%, Confusion down 36%, Anger went down 19%, Fatigue by 15%, and Tension by 9% Laughing exercises the lungs, diaphragm, arms, and legs. It lowers blood pressure and increases the production of natural pain suppressants.

Laughter is the best medicine. By using the example of Dr. Madan Kataria, the guru of giggles, and James Thorson, a professor of the University of Nebraska who has created a multidimensional sense of humor scale, the author Daniel Pink reiterates the old adage that “laughter is the best medicine”. He also shows that people who are happy and satisfied at their places of employment are more productive and successful than those who are not. =category&layout=blog&id=319&Itemid=711

Stress Test

Character Traits of People with a Sense of Humor Viewed by others as more intelligent and creative Well-developed sense of humor is a sign of giftedness (Holt 1995)

Benefits of Humor in a Learning Environment Creates a more supportive learning environment Retains more knowledge Creates a sense of community Reduces stress Engages minds *

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More Kids and Humor A 5-year-old laughs more than 400 times a day! The average adult laughs only ? times. content&view=category&layout=blog&id=640&Itemid = content&view=category&layout=blog&id=640&Itemid =1405

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