If laughter be an aid to health,
Then logic of the strongest
Impels us to the cheerful thought
That he who laughs lasts longest.
W.E. Nesome, 1917
Have you ever gotten the giggles out of fear or nervousness? Have you found yourself in a situation that was perfectly awful saying, “Someday we’ll laugh about this?”
Have you experienced laughing so hard you were bent over, unable to stand up straight or hang onto something heavy?
If you answered yes to any of these than you are well on your way to understanding some of the ‘built in’ tools we all possess. Laughter, along with our sense of humour, can help us cope with the ups and downs of the human condition. Gelotology is the study of laughter and its effects on the body.
Research has shown that laughter:
-decreases cortisol (stress hormone) levels,
-boosts immunity,
-releases endorphins (feel good hormones),
-improves cardiac health,
-creates a sense of well being.
Universal among human races and cultures, laughter can improve our ‘mental fitness’ by easing anxiety and stress, boosting mood, and strengthening our ability to weather life’s storms. When we laugh with others we feel closer to them. Victor Borge, a comedian and conductor, said “A smile is the shortest distance between two people.” When we make others laugh we attract and connect to them, promoting good energy and bonding. The research shows that these benefits are not only good for a good time, they are good for a long time, increasing our resilience and improving our quality of life. In the words of Grenville Kleiser, a toronto born authour and public speaking instructor at Yale university, “Good humour is a tonic for the mind and body.”
Join Amy Sloan for a lunch n learn on November 22, 2018 for a lighthearted and informative talk on how we can use humour and laughter to build resilience.
Reserve your ticket here.
Amy Sloan
Hamilton’s Amy Sloan has been performing stand up comedy and presentations on humour for over 10 years, anywhere from night clubs to church basements. She is a nurse, a massage therapist, and a mom of 3 who has found that using humour helps with almost everything! Amy uses the power of everyday stories to help us understand that humour can be accessed and benefited from by all of us. Recently, she spoke on humour and resilience at regional meeting:
“I would recommend Amy any time for any event where you need humour to help make your day or evening. Can guarantee she will lighten the ambiance in the room and have you in stitches.”
-Carol Barnhardt, Southern and Western Regional Liaison
For the Grandmother to Grandmother Campaign of the Stephen Lewis Foundation.