casey
How good do you feel after laughing so hard that you “busted a rib”, so to speak? Humor can be found anywhere, in most situations, places, and people; it’s our most abundant medical and non-medical resource. Over the last three decades, humor has taken the medical world’s attention with its healing power and potential (Seaward 1992). Humor can be a very powerful healing agent for one’s everyday stress, mental health, and even overall well-being. [Create a stronger, clearer thesis by better defining the term ‘overall well-being.] Laughter is very effective in stress relief. It provides a physical release for built up tension (Wooten 1996). When you’re stressed, your muscles tense up, you feel uncomfortable, and your mood progresses in a downward spiral. You can be achy and have pains, be very irritable and have a sense of loneliness and nervousness (Smith, Segal, Segal 2013). The side effects of stress can be contagious. Luckily, so can the effects of humor. “Humor and laughter strengthen your immune system, boost your energy, diminish pain, and protect you from the damaging effects of stress.” Best of all, it’s free (Smith, Segal 2013). Dr. Paul McGhee says, “Your sense of humor is one of the most powerful tools you have to make certain your daily mood and emotional state support good health.” Laughter relaxes your body. It can leave your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes (Smith, Segal 2013). It also releases endorphins, the chemicals in your body that control the happiness and a sense of well-being; they can even temporarily relieve pain (Smith, Segal 2013)! You can’t feel any way but happy when you’re laughing! We often hear that “laughter is the best medicine”. Is it just one of those phrases with no backbone? Or is it actually plausible? The effect of laughter in psychiatric healing is 100% positive. The very attitude that humor brings on can have a healthful and even preventative effect on one’s health, both psychiatric and physical (Saper 1988).