Managing Stress 8E Principles and Strategies for Health and Well-Being Brian Luke Seaward, Ph.D. Unless otherwise noted, all images were supplied by Brian Luke Seaward. Credit: © Inspiration Unlimited. Used with permission.

Chapter 13 Humor Therapy (Comic Relief) Source: © digitalskillet/ShutterStock, Inc.

“A smile is the shortest distance between two people.” — Victor Borge, musician, comedian

Definition:

Humor: A perception of something funny or comical; not a mood, but a perception that can trigger a feeling or mood of joy and happiness (even if only for a brief moment!)

Historical Perspective

Figure Because laughter and smiling were thought to be a sin at the turn of the last century, no did so in front of a camera for fear of being blackmailed with the proof. Source: © Photos.com

Three factors must occur for humor to register in the mind:

1. Sources that act as potential stimuli (e.g., a pie thrown in the face)

Three factors must occur for humor to register in the mind: 1. Sources that act as potential stimuli (e.g., a pie thrown in the face) 2. The interpretation of the stimuli (perceiving a whip-creamed face as funny)

Three factors must occur for humor to register in the mind: 1. Sources that act as potential stimuli (e.g., a pie thrown in the face) 2. The interpretation of the stimuli (perceiving a whip-creamed face as funny) 3. Behavioral response: Laughter, smiling

Theories of Humor (Reasons Why We Laugh and Smile)

1. Superiority Theory (emotion-based theory)

1. Superiority Theory 2. Incongruity Theory (cognitive-based theory)

1. Superiority Theory 2. Incongruity Theory 3. Release/Relief Theory (physical/body-based theory)

1. Superiority Theory 2. Incongruity Theory 3. Release/Relief Theory 4. Divinity Theory (spirit-based)

Types of Humor Source: Courtesy of Jim and Nancy Gill

1. Parody (self-parody)

2. Satire

1. Parody (self-parody) 2. Satire 3. Slapstick Humor

1. Parody (self-parody) 2. Satire 3. Slapstick Humor 4. Absurd/Nonsense Humor

1. Parody (self-parody) 2. Satire 3. Slapstick Humor 4. Absurd/Nonsense Humor 5. Double Entendre

1. Parody (self-parody) 2. Satire 3. Slapstick Humor 4. Absurd/Nonsense Humor 5. Double Entendre 6. Black Humor

1. Parody (self-parody) 2. Satire 3. Slapstick Humor 4. Absurd/Nonsense Humor 5. Double Entendre 6. Black Humor 7. Irony

1. Parody (self-parody) 2. Satire 3. Slapstick Humor 4. Absurd/Nonsense Humor 5. Double Entendre 6. Black Humor 7. Irony 8. Dry Humor

1. Parody (self-parody) 2. Satire 3. Slapstick Humor 4. Absurd/Nonsense Humor 5. Double Entendre 6. Black Humor 7. Irony 8. Dry Humor 9. Bathroom Humor

1. Parody (self-parody) 2. Satire 3. Slapstick Humor 4. Absurd/Nonsense Humor 5. Double Entendre 6. Black Humor 7. Irony 8. Dry Humor 9. Bathroom Humor 10. Sarcasm

Figure The popular show Modern Family uses a host of humor styles, from irony and satire to parody and quick wit. Photo © Petter Stone/American Broadcasting Companies, Inc./AP Images

1. Conventional Sense of Humor Senses of Humor

1. Conventional Sense of Humor 2. Life of the Party Sense of Humor Senses of Humor

1. Conventional Sense of Humor 2. Life of the Party Sense of Humor 3. Creative Sense of Humor Senses of Humor

1. Conventional Sense of Humor 2. Life of the Party Sense of Humor 3. Creative Sense of Humor 4. Good Sport Sense of Humor Senses of Humor

Figure The divinity theory of humor becomes apparent in cartoons like Bizarro. Does God have a sense of humor? Most theologians think (and hope) so! Bizarro © Dan Piraro. King Features Syndicate.

Humor as a Coping Technique Source: Courtesy of Andrew Adams

As a defense mechanism, humor decreases anxiety and increases pleasure.

Humor helps crack open the right side of the brain to gain a wider perspective on things so we can laugh at ourselves.

As a defense mechanism, humor decreases anxiety and increases pleasure. Humor helps crack open the right side of the brain to gain a wider perspective on things so we can laugh at ourselves. Humor (e.g., joy, mirth, happiness) balances out common feelings of fears and frustrations

The Effects of Humor:

1. Decreases muscle tension 2. Decreases resting heart rate, blood pressure 3. Decreases emotional stress (anxiety) 4. Increases neuropeptides (endorphins) 5. Increases immune system integrity 6. Increases overall sense of well-being

Figure Renowned physician Patch Adams, MD, has dedicated his life to the healing profession to use humor rather than drugs or surgery. Source: Courtesy of Patch Adams

Steps to Initiate Comic Relief

1. Don’t take life (or yourself) TOO seriously

2. Find one humorous thing a day

1. Don’t take life (or yourself) TOO seriously 2. Find one humorous thing a day 3. Improve your imagination and creativity

1. Don’t take life (or yourself) TOO seriously 2. Find one humorous thing a day 3. Improve your imagination and creativity 4. Start a joke/cartoon collection

1. Don’t take life (or yourself) TOO seriously 2. Find one humorous thing a day 3. Improve your imagination and creativity 4. Start a joke/cartoon collection 5. Learn to hyper-exaggerate when telling a story

1. Don’t take life (or yourself) TOO seriously 2. Find one humorous thing a day 3. Improve your imagination and creativity 4. Start a joke/cartoon collection 5. Learn to hyper-exaggerate when telling a story 6. Build a humor library & start a tickler notebook

1. Don’t take life (or yourself) TOO seriously 2. Find one humorous thing a day 3. Improve your imagination and creativity 4. Start a joke/cartoon collection 5. Learn to hyper-exaggerate when telling a story 6. Build a humor library & start a tickler notebook 7. Seek a host of humorous venues

1. Don’t take life (or yourself) TOO seriously 2. Find one humorous thing a day 3. Improve your imagination and creativity 4. Start a joke/cartoon collection 5. Learn to hyper-exaggerate when telling a story 6. Build a humor library & start a tickler notebook 7. Seek a host of humorous venues 8. Access your humor network (friends)

1. Don’t take life (or yourself) TOO seriously 2. Find one humorous thing a day 3. Improve your imagination and creativity 4. Start a Joke/cartoon collection 5. Learn to hyper-exaggerate when telling a story 6. Build a humor library & start a tickler notebook 7. Seek a host of humorous venues 8. Access your humor network (friends) 9. Improve your self-esteem

Best Application of Comic Relief

Patch Adams, MD (with author Brian Luke Seaward)