Everyone loves a good laugh!
Dr. Debra Molsick, MBA, PT
The science of humor has been studied more closely in the last few decades. Much discussion has been documented in the attempt to define humor, and it seems no universal conclusions have been made. Philosophers, psychologists, sociologists, poets, comedians and educators have all attempted to explain and define it, but have not been able to come to a consensus. W.F. Fry was able to identify the three basic elements in the science of laughter or Gelotology:
1) The stimulus- humor/comedy
2) The emotional response- mirth
3) The accompanying behavior- laughter/smiling
Research has shown that laughter involves extensive physical activity and is comparable to that of physical exercise. The respiratory rate, heart rate, oxygen exchange and muscle activity all increase. This is turn is followed by a relaxation state where the respiratory rate, heart rate, and muscle tension return to below normal levels. Studies have also shown that the immune system is stimulated with humor.
In the healthcare setting, humor serves 3 major functions:
1) A communication function to deliver important messages
2) A social function to promote social relations
3) A psychological function to manage the “delicate” situation which may occur in this setting
In times of illness, strangers are thrown together into very intimate contacts without time to build a relationship. We must interact without much knowledge of each other. Our patients must trust us and accept our competency and we expect cooperation almost without question. What are some examples of how we use humor in our daily work life?
Humor to communicate
You are working with a woman who fell at home and is very anxious about falling. Your attempts to reassure her are not very successful. Then her therapist says “Don’t worry Mrs. Smith, we will not let you fall- it is too much paperwork!” Then she laughs and is more at ease.
Humor to socialize
You are working with a male who had a myocardial infarction. He says in an attempt to connect with his nurse “It’s you who makes my heart race and raises my blood pressure!” You respond “Relax, I’m really your mother in law in Disguise!”
Humor as a psychological function
The recent H1N1 or “swine flu” outbreak is a good example of our coping mechanisms. An online greeting card site has a popular card that reads “I think it is best if I work from home today rather than risk infecting people with my paralyzing fear of swine flu”.
The key is to use humor while being sensitive to whose needs are being met. Planned well, the use of humor can be as healing and therapeutic as the spontaneous situational humor which occurs in our daily work. “Humor can restore the human touch , the caring, to the highly technical , potentially dehumanizing world of healthcare.”
Dr. Debra Molsick, MBA, PT
References:
Benson, Herbert: The Relaxation Response
Cousins, Norman: Anatomy of an Illness, NY , Bantam, 1979
Johnson, “Non- pharmacologic pain management in RA” Nursing Clinics of North America, 1984 Dec, 19(4)583-91
Moody, Raymond: Life after Laughter, Headwaters Press, 1978
Robinson, Vera: The Therapeutic use of Humor in Healthcare, NJ, Slack Inc, 1991
Ziv, A: Personality and Sense of Humor, NY, Springer, 1984
Marcus and Godlasky, “Jokes break out over swine flu” USA Today , May 11,2009
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