humor as a tool for good health

Robert Lawrence FriedmanStress Solutions, Inc.

Welcome to Humor and Optimism As Tools For Good Health

Dolphins and Stress

The picture you are about to see has two identical dolphins on it.

Look at both dolphins jumping out of the water.In spite of the fact that both are identical, a person

under stress will find many differences between the two dolphins.

The more differences a person finds, the more stress he/she is experiencing.

Dolphins and Stress

Laughter Quotient

List the comedians, movies, TV shows that you make you laugh.

Can you see any patterns regarding the type of humor you prefer.

What Blocks Our Humor?

What Do We Need to Have Humor?

Setting IntentionPut

Put oyPut

Putting On Your Humor Glasses

Put On Your Humor Glasses

Laughter Begins with a Smile

It has been reported that five year old children laugh an average of 113 times a day.

By the time we reach 44, that number drops to 11 times a day.

Laughter Begins with a Smile

Facial expressions can create emotional reactions.

The Smiling Exercise

The Psychochemistry of Humor

The Psychochemistry of Humor

The drug is our own brain made set of psychochemicals called endorphins which are released every single time we laugh!

Norman Cousins

Studies on Humor

Neurologist Barry Bittman, M.D.

Studies on Humor

Dr. Bittman found:

1) Laughter boosts the production of immune enhancers

2) Laughter suppresses the production of stress hormones that weaken immunity

Studies on Humor

Dr. Lars Jungdahl of Sweden Primary Health Care Facility:

Worked with women with an extreme form of muscle bone disorder for 13 weeks.

Studies on Humor

Stanford Medical Psychiatrist William Fry, Jr. says that laughter is valuable for strengthening the heart muscle.

Humor is Risky Business

Never laugh at someone in pain

Never laugh at someone to boost your ego

Laughter Gives Us Power

Abraham Lincoln lost his job, was defeated in legislature, failed in business, lost his renomination for vice president, three of his sons died and his sweetheart, yet he continually used humor to gain strength.

Laughter Through Irony

Learn to Laugh Exercise

Humor involves the process of letting go and stretching yourself.

Learn to Laugh ExerciseThe Lie

Learn to Laugh Exercise

In groups of four, create a unique, unusual invention for managing stress.

How to Create More Humor in your Life

Spend time with friends you laugh with

How to Create More Humor in your Life

Keep a fun “first aid kit” with clippings from newspapers, modeling clay, brain teasers, bubbles, etc.

How to Create More Humor in your Life

Rent funny movies

How to Create More Humor in your Life

Recall all the fun you had as a child

Questions