By perspective-shifting, humour can be used to help us cope with stress. By Dr. Davidicus Wong

A little girl goes to the doctor.  She's got a  pea  in one nostril, a grape in the other, and a string bean stuck in her ear. She says, "I don't feel good." The doctor replies, "The problem is clear to me. You're not eating right."

That joke is courtesy of Dr. Steven Sultanoff, mirthologist and clinical psychologist. He is one of the growing number of health professionals using humor to heal. One organization, the American Association of Therapeutic Humor was founded in 1988 to advance our understanding of how humour and laughter relate to healing and well-being.

Humor is the ability to, see the amusing in our lives. It makes us shift perspectives; sometimes distancing ourselves from our problems. It requires a degree of creativity in order to see things in unconventional ways.

Humor and Stress

By perspective-shifting, humor can help us cope with stress. Hans Selye stated that stress caused the diagnosis of a chronic illness, for example, can be viewed as either a challenge or a threat. The latter perspective obviously causes distress and all the negative health consequences with which we are familiar.

Humor can help us adopt the former perspective. By viewing a problem as a challenge, we can rise to the occasion and feel empowered. This is positive stress or eustress.

In his book, Anatomy of an Illness, Norman Cousins described how he harnessed the positive aspects of his emotions, including humor, to conquer the potentially crippling disease of ankylosing spondylitis. By watching the Marx Brothers and Candid Camera he found that laughter was an effective pain killer.

Subsequent research has shown that laughter stimulates the immune system. Lecourt at the University of Waterloo found that secretory IgA (antibodies in saliva) increased after watching a humorous video. Berk at Loma Linda University has demonstrated that laughter decreases the level of serum cortisol (a hormone which rises with stress) and increases the production of Tlymphocytes and natural killer cells, in particular. Natural killer cells attack viruses and cancer cells, allowing us to fight infections and cancer.

Humor is useful in cognitive therapy, a process that helps us transform negative emotional states.

It is hard to remain angry or depressed when you are laughing. By seeing the amusing in the situations we are in, or in our perceived enemies, a tincture of levity can disperse negativity. I've found this useful in converting my six year son's grumbles into giggles.

How Physicians Can Use Humor

Humour has many uses in health care. A good belly laugh can easily demonstrate an abdominal hernia.  However, the sensitive physician  must be cautious not to make the patient feel laughed at or belittled. Humor is best used to help put patients at ease.  On the ceiling above the head of my exam tables, I tape cartoon strips, which invariably surprise and amuse patients. Children respond particularly well to my light-hearted commentary during physical examinations. I often tell them I hear the breakfast cereal or the cup of milk in their bellies.

The modern hospital should include a selection of comedy videos to speed patient recovery. Sitcoms would make a good prescription for anyone with physical or emotional pain. Of course, the nightly news is inadvisable..

Dr. Patch Adams, founder of the Gesundheit Institute and real-life inspiration for an upcoming Robin Williams movie, wears his clown costume all the time. I think I will settle for the funny ties I got for Father's Day.

Using Humor Yourself

How can you use humor to improve your health? Start each day by reading the comics before you look at the rest of the paper. If you want to be ahead, skip the rest of the paper.

Talk regularly with good humored friends. They can help you maintain a light-hearted perspective of your life. Avoid sarcasm, which is humor that is mean-spirited or angry. Humor, like pizza, is best served warm.

Humor is not a panacea. It will not, in itself, cure cancer or even pneumonia. It can complement a holistic approach to health. In this way, levity may promote longevity. Those who laugh most, laugh last. #