Comedian Bill Cosby once said, “If you can laugh at it you can survive it.” Our emotions and moods clearly affect our perspective on life. A change of outlook can turn what we fear as a threat into a challenge and our ability to laugh can lead the way in guiding our thoughts and changing our emotional and physical responses.
According to carefully controlled studies by Dr. Lee Berk and fellow researcher Dr. Stanley Tan at Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Laughter lowers serum cortisol levels, increases the amount of activated T lymphocytes, increases the number and activity of natural killer cells, and increases the number of T cells that have helper/ suppresser receptors. In short, laughter stimulates the immune system, off-setting the immunosuppressive effects of stress.
Humor gives us a different perspective on our problems. If we can make light out of the situation, it is no longer threatening to us. We already discounted its effect. With an attitude of detachment, we feel a sense of self-protection and control in our environment. It's sometimes difficult to force a laugh in tense situations. But that's precisely when you need it most. One trick for finding humor in the worst of situations is to blow things absolutely, ridiculously out of proportion. When your scenario reaches the point of absurdity, you begin to smile. The situation is put in perspective. Now you can calm down.
For more information on Humor Therapy go to:
http://stress.about.com/od/stresshealth/a/laughter.htm
http://Holisticonline.com
