Brain-Heart Matters Newsletter Article
Laughter - An Instant Vacation!by Dr. Earl HenslinMay 05, 2009
A laugh a day will keep the doctor away? Some studies say that 12 laughs per day will keep the doctor away! A well-developed sense of humor provides a beneficial ingredient to the patient's coping or adjustive ability. In fact one journal article suggests that to be optimally effective the psychiatrist should undertake formal training in the use of humor techniques comparable to the traditional training in the usual assessment and therapeutic procedures (Psychiatr Q. 1990 Winter; 61(4):261-72)! I am fortunate so far, in that I have not received hints by family, friends, or patients that I need to take a course in humor. Of course there have been a few groans from those close to me at some of the things I might say or do! Did you ever consider that watching a humorous video was crucial to your health care? Two hormones – beta-endorphins (the family of chemicals that elevates mood state) and human growth hormone (HGH; which helps with optimizing immunity) – increased by 27% and 87 % respectively in study subjects who anticipated watching a humorous video. There was no such increase among the control group who did not anticipate watching the humorous film. In another study, they found that the same anticipation of mirthful laughter reduced the levels of three detrimental stress hormones. Cortisol (termed "the steroid stress hormone"), epinephrine (also known as adrenaline) and dopac, (the major catabolite of dopamine), were reduced 39, 70 and 38%, respectively (statistically significant compared to the control group). Chronically released high levels of these stress hormones can be detrimental to
the immune system. Researchers at Loma Linda Hospital in Redlands, Ca. found that 30 minutes of self-selected humor a day lowered the risk of cardiovascular disease associated with diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome. They also found that laughter raised good cholesterol, and reduced inflammation (American Physiological Society (2009, April 17). Laughter Remains Good Medicine. (Science Daily. Retrieved May 5, 2009, from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090417084115.htm) Laughter is an Instant Vacation: Humorous Quotes on Life To help you on the road today, in taking another step in your over all physical, emotional, and spiritual well being I thought you might enjoy this short movie clip! That is the news from Brea! Where all the women are laughing, the men are wondering what the joke is, and the children are finding their parents and grandparents amusing! With Respect, Dr. Earl R. Henslin If your church or organization would like to invite Dr. Henslin to speak at an upcoming event you can contact him at 714-256-2807. E-mail me at
or call the Henslin and Associates at 714-256-2807 if I or my staff can be of help!
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