Humor and the Immune System

There is a definite healing power found in humor and laughter. Science is now finding proof to support the Bible verse, “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine.” (Proverbs 17:22) The medical profession is finally recognizing humor as a true mode of healing as increasing scientific research proves its positive effects on the body. The healing power of humor has spread to private practice, long-term care facilities, and hospice care in the corporate world.

The nature of laughter truly proves that it is the best medicine. The breathing experienced when laughing increases the breath rate which also increases the amount of oxygen circulated through the blood. It provides limited conditioning to the muscles and also muscle relaxation. Some findings show that laughter also offers relief of muscle pain. The effect on the cardiovascular system involves an increase in heart rate and blood pressure, increase in circulation, and an overall increase in oxygen to all the body cells. Other benefits include strengthening of the heart, improved digestion, and reduced allergic reaction.

Humor has a definite positive impact on health. It is comparative to aerobic activity in its physical benefits, providing the body with a full inner body workout. It also encourages a broad perspective, and flexibility or adaptability in coping with intense situations. Research shows that it has positive effect especially on people suffering from heart disease. In fact, it has an overall strengthening effect on the immune system. It elevates growth hormones, and decreases stress hormones providing stress relief. Psychologically, it helps to increase self-esteem and optimism. It also increases longevity, and who does not want a longer, happier life?

Spirituality and Resiliency

In our textbook, Bruno Cortis asks, "How can health be without spirituality? Can the body live without the soul that makes it? The spiritual powers within far surpass any others; transcendent, they lift all of humanity."

Spirituality not only lifts all of humanity but it also effects the rate a which people are able to heal. In a study done on successful business executive and other prominent people, researchers found a correlation between good spiritual health and good physical health. The people who had a sense of spirituality reported a more complete recovery from minor illness than the national average.

Another study was performed on 300 terminally ill and non terminally ill hospitalized adults. The patients with the greatest spirituality showed a more resilient emotional health. They all had low fear of death, low discomfort, decreased loneliness, emotional adjustment, and positive death perspectives.

A panel of experts carefully reviewed many studies in medical literature and found that spirituality and religiousness were related to greater subjective well being, life satisfaction, and marital satisfaction. It also caused less depression, delinquency, and drug/alcohol use.

Spirituality helps people have better health and resiliency because they often have a needed social support that can carry them through times of bad health and give them something to live for. People also have faith in a supreme being who is always there for them and is always looking out for their well-being. They have an identity of a child of god and it gives them something to live for because they have that reassurance that the right thing will happen in their lives.

"Keep on the Sunny Side"

According to our textbook, optimism " is an active priority of the person, not merely a reflex that prompts us to 'look on the sunny side.'"

Numerous studies have shown that optimists live longer. Other benefits include:

• Better health (less risk of chronic disease)
  
• Stronger immune system
• Better healing/recovery
  
• Better coping skills
• And more!
  

Are you an optimist? Some characteristics of optimistic people:

• See the good in situations
• Are less stressed--they cope pro-actively with challenges
• Possess the "3 C's of Hardiness": Commitment, Control, & Challenge
• Commitment--optimists don't give up. They are known for their perseverance.
  
• Control--optimists believe outcomes are in their control so they "put forth greater effort to attain the desired outcome."
• Challenge--optimists are not victimized by their circumstances.
• Expect things to go their way
• Focus on the things they have control of
• "Take reality into account but do everything possible with the reality they find."
• Approach the world in an active productive way
• Take better care of their health--Result: better health and longevity!

Children are generally optimistic, so we feel that pessimism is learned. How do we combat this in our own lives? Some suggestions from the book include:

• Be aware of your attitude
• Choose one area of your life in which to become more optimistic
• Set goals small enough to achieve quickly--pick a reward
• Seek out optimistic people
• Stay flexible

Once you've found some optimism of your own. Share it with others!! How to be an optimistic friend:

• Be consistent, positive, and responsive.
• Encourage not generalizing from specific failures. Instead see failure as a challenge to do better.
  
• Help them set realistic goals and encourage problem solving.
• Encourage humor as a way of coping.
• Challenge pessimistic views.
• Be a role model yourself of realistic optimism.

"...it is far better to pursue a remote and even unlikely goal than to deprive oneself of the forward motion that goals provide....Nothing I have learned is less theoretical than the way the entire world seems to open up when courage and determination are connected to truly important aims."--Norman Cousins

Enjoy the music--it is increasing your lifespan!