Using Laughter as Medicine - 696 Words

Using Laughter as Medicine The saying â€Å"laughter is the best medicine† is one that many people know. But is this actually true? Can laughter be used as a form of curing the body? With three out of four adults claiming to laugh four or more times a day (Polaroid Corp, 2004) it is something that is obviously easy to do, and of which the answer to the time old question of whether or not it is the best medicine, might surprise many skeptics out there. To laugh is defined as: â€Å"to express certain emotions, especially mirth or delight, by a series of spontaneous, usually unarticulated sounds often accompanied by corresponding facial and bodily movements† (Dictionary, 2013). This simple act has been suggested to boost immunity, lower stress hormone, decrease pain, relax muscles, and prevent heart disease (Smith Segal, 2012), and those are just the physical health benefits. Other studies have suggested that laughter is a great way to ease anxiety and fear, relieve stress, improve mood, and even enhance resilience (Bennett et al., 2003). Not to mention that sharing a good laugh with friends and family can bring these relationships closer (Bennett et al., 2003). The idea that the use of laughter can be used as a form of making one feel better, or as what is known to many today as, medicine, is not a new one--but one that is gaining much more popularity and interest with practitioners as one having some actual truth to it, today. The bible even makes reference to thisShow MoreRelatedLaughter Is An Essential Part Of Life1370 Words   |  6 Pagesdictionary defines medicine as â€Å"The science and art dealing with the maintenance of health and the prevention, alleviation, or cure of disease† (â€Å"Medicine†). The definition of â€Å"medicine† creates a large gray area in which many items can fall into this category. Therefore, laughing falls into this category as a medicine. Laughter is an essential part of life and has been linked to promote a healthy state of mind and a healthier physical state in humans. What exactly is laughter? Laughter is the body sRead MoreBenefits Of Laughter As Medicine1483 Words   |  6 PagesUsing Laughter as Medicine There are thousands of medicines ranging from the modern medicines to those medicines that are not necessarily commonplace, hence the name alternative medicine. The question arises around the idea of what exactly â€Å"medicine† is. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines medicine as â€Å"the science that deals with preventing, curing, and treating diseases†. So with this vague definition what should be considered medicine? I say that laughter is definitely a medicine because ofRead MoreBackground: Humor, Laughter And Play Have Been Therapeutic1162 Words   |  5 PagesBackground: Humor, laughter and play have been therapeutic interventions used on pediatric patients for many years. More recently, the use of humor has shown to improve adult patient, outcomes as well. Humor therapy is a complimentary intervention that is used either with or in place of traditional medicine. Benefits of therapeutic humor include biological, and psychological. Humor therapy has also show n to improve nurse-patient relationships and communication. Purpose: The purpose of this studyRead MoreAnalysis Of The Movie Patch Adams 921 Words   |  4 PagesMedical ethics could be considered a really broad spectrum that dictates the healthcare system. Defined as a system of moral principles that apply values and judgments to the practice of medicine. This however, can become quite tricky when deciding what is morally correct to one person to another. The movie Patch Adams deals firsthand with an aspect of medical ethics. The movie displays Robin Williams as the main character, Patch Adams, as a medical student who believes treating patients with happinessRead MoreCoping Strategies For Pediatric Patients Essay1282 Words   |  6 PagesResearch is being done to evaluate the responses and outcomes of using humor as a coping mechanism during the patients distressing time. In this study, research is conducted to evaluate numerous activities to implement humor in pediatric clinical settings as well as determining the appropriate and inappropriate use of humor in the various stages of childhood development. However, little scientific research is done about using humor as a coping strategy and it is impressively supported byRead MorePhysiology of Laughter: What Creates the Wonderful Sound of Laughter?1400 Words   |  6 PagesLaughter is unique movements of the face and body that are expressed due to amusement and sometimes contempt or derision. (Websters) But do we not need more than that? Do we not deserve to know more? Of course. Although laughter is something that we don’t ever really think about doing, it still requires a lot of our brain, lungs, and muscles. Laughing’s medical definition is a psycho-physiological reflex, a successive, rhythmic, spasmodic expiration with open glottis and vibration of the vocalRead MoreThe Physio logy of Laughter Essay1456 Words   |  6 PagesLaughter is part of everyday life for every human. Although we do it daily, most people do not know how it works, nor how it helps us with our health. Something that we do all the time is something that we do not even think about. We, as humans, take laughter for granted. It might come easy to us, but laughing is actually very complex. It also helps us physically, mentally, and socially. Although, many people do not agree on humor, we can all agree on one thing: laughter is important. LaughterRead MoreHumor in the Halls of an Asylum in Ken Keseys One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest763 Words   |  3 Pagesthem the best medicine possible- laughter. He gives back the life to the much needed patients. At heart, becoming his sanctuary, allowing him to heal and escape while at the same time, healing his fellow friends. This novel involves a mess of symbolism, thus the issue in showing why laughter could be a key theme is vast. Look how many of the patients cant help it....theyre tired(52 Kesey) when in reality they are sick of the life they are living. With the aim of laughter as a healingRead MoreDon t Laugh At Me, Laugh With Me ! Supported By The Wounded Veterans998 Words   |  4 PagesDon’t laugh at me, laugh with me! Supported by the Wounded warrior project a group of wounded veterans have found a way to use laughter to uplift society without being affected by the emotional or physical tragedy that they have been through. The purpose of not allowing the tragedy to turn them away from a pleasant or positive state of being. The Comedy warriors are made of five wounded veterans from different wars. Watching the dvd of the comedians is a delightful way to be entertained, but itRead MoreTerm Paper Fitness Um Davao City1730 Words   |  7 PagesAmazing World of Laughter amp; it Super Hea ling Power A Book Review Presented to PROFESSOR ESPIE CHINEL APARIS Managing Director UM Fitness amp; Wellness Centre In Partial Fulfilments Of the Requirements in PE 2, 7089, 2012-2013 Exam permit number†¦ By: ELLORIMO, JUMEL BENCER B. Date of Submission†¦ INTRODUCTION A lot of people could have been cured had they learned to laugh. More life losses could have been prevented had they laughed their problems off. After exposure to laughter, there is a general