2. Life is Tough…So Laugh Hard B. Renee Dugger, DNP, RN, GCNS-BC

3. Are humor and laughter appropriate responses in tough times?

4. What we will talk about today  Humor Aikido  Examples of humor use in tough situations  Health benefits of humor/laughter  Ways to add humor/laughter to your life

5. Humor Aikido

7. “I don’t laugh because I’m happy, I’m happy because I laugh.” (author unknown)

8. “ Waitress wanted. Must be able to swim under water.” (author unknown)

9. “House for rent. Some assembly required.” (author unknown)

10. “House for sale, ½ price” (author unknown)

11. Association of Applied and Therapeutic Humor  http://www.aath.org/annual-conference http://www.aath.org/annual-conference

12. AATH Mission  “to serve as a community of professionals who study, practice and promote healthy humor and laughter.” http://www.aath.org/annual-conference http://www.aath.org/annual-conference

13. AATH Definition of Therapeutic Humor  “any intervention that promotes health and wellness by stimulating a playful discovery, expression or appreciation of the absurdity or incongruity of life's situations. This intervention may enhance health or be used as a complementary treatment of illness to facilitate healing or coping, whether physical, emotional, cognitive, social or spiritual.” http://www.aath.org/annual-conference http://www.aath.org/annual-conference

14. Story Time…….  A beautiful example of Humor Aikido from Dr. Ann Weeks

15. Health Benefits of Humor/Laughter

16. Self Assessment  What is your humor quotient?  Do you have any of the 4 Warning Signs of Terminal Seriousness?

17. The Giggling Guru Laughter Yoga  Dr. Madan Kataria, a Physician from Mumbai, India, launched the first Laughter Club at a Park on March 13, 1995

18. Images from World Laughter Day in Mumbai, India - 5.5.2013

19. How this works…..  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EGTETc5oFU http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EGTETc5oFU

20. Now it is time for us to LAUGH!

21.  “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” Proverbs 17:22

22. Remember…Life is tough…so laugh hard.  THANK YOU for allowing me to share with you today!  Contact Information: rdugger@uscb.edu; 812-573-9146rdugger@uscb.edu