Humor For Health

Earthly treasures, being susceptible to corrosion eventually wear out; or as it happens in some cases are taken from us. NONE lasts forever. Even our health will eventually fail us. If truly wise, we would build our happiness on things of an intangible nature and prioritize them before all others. Humor, when accepted in good taste is one of the most rewarding of such intangibles. It is a priceless commodity of unlimited power that helps us face life optimistically. Considered one of the very first medications ever discovered, laughter has been helping humans cope with life’s predicaments even before people had the ability to converse in a language. Looking at life’s situations with a sense of humor, and being able to laugh at them renders a beneficial perspective that keeps things in balance, especially when the trauma and troubles of living seem more prevalent than the joys. When we were kids, it just seemed to come naturally but society is bent on programming adults to take life seriously; hence, as adults we become cautious, even hesitant to laugh.nnStatistics has it that good humor not only reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, and improves the immune system…it simply makes us feel better. This “band-aid” for difficult times is the magnet that attracts the positives of our experiences. It is more contagious than a yawn and needs to be a regular part of every life simply because life’s pleasures are echoed with every “ho ho ho”.nnUnderstand however, that humor is much more than laughter and that it has two faces. One is extremely beneficial or healthful. This amiable side stimulates wit, merriment, and pleasantries while inducing closeness and intimacy. The other is the sarcastic, detrimental, and/or hurtful visage that promotes prejudice and animosity by poking fun at ethnicity, circumstance, or people. This aspect of humor is neither therapeutic nor condoned for it gives rise to adversity, perhaps even contempt.nnLaughing with others is an icebreaker, laughing at others is an icemaker! Admittedly, there are times when life presents major challenges and we need to act clearly, but behaving responsibly and efficiently doesn’t preclude humor and light-heartedness. In fact, taking a flexible, upbeat approach will not only improve our attitude towards life, it is crucial to self-development. Laughter, play, spontaneity, and improvisation are integral aspects of being human, healthy, happy, and successful. The beneficial type of humor is a power source of healing that comes to us without prescription. It knows no cultural boundaries, no specific language and has no restrictions on how or when to use (you cannot overdose). Laughter is not considered an aphrodisiac, yet when taken regularly it will enhance desire far more than any existing hormone treatment. As a tranquilizer, good humor it is rightfully rated at the top of all medications formulated to dispel feelings of anger and aggression. We all know the feeling of relief we get when someone in a group makes a ludicrous, bizarre, or otherwise zany comment during a tense situation.nnHaving the ability to perceive and express a sense of what’s clever or amusing is as necessary to our health as daily meals. Our fears dissipate and our excitement for living heightens; then, almost without knowing it, we achieve a positive attitude. In much the same way blooming flowers add beauty and fragrance to life, so too does good humor. Fundamentally, the condition of amusement doesn’t necessarily have to come in the form of “jokes,” although it occasionally manifests itself in them. Humor and laughter are contiguous medicines that are readily available and free of charge (there are no upfront or hidden fees nor are they regulated by any government or insurance policies)!nnEveryone ought to keep a constant supply on hand and readily accessible. By the way, it’s safe to remove the childproof cap because neither humor nor laughter is considered dangerous to children, nor will they reach an expiration date…they just don’t ever go “bad!”nExcerpt from the chapter “Humor” in the author's book OH Brother…nnCopyright 2008 by Paul Ciccone, Jr.