Humor as a Cost-Effective Means of Stress Management

by Karyn Buxman, MSN, CSP, CPAE

(Originally published in Managing Employee Benefits , (1998). Humor as a cost-effective means of stress management. Volume 6, Issue 2, pp. 74-78.)

U.S. workers consume 15 tons of aspirin a day. One in four workers suffers from an anxiety related illness. Soon job stress may be the #1 reason for worker’s compensation. “Terminal professionalism” seems to be a sign of the times. But taking oneself too seriously can have some unpleasant side effects.

WHAT IS STRESS? Stress is the body’s response to any demand or pressure. These demands are called stressors. Stressors include major life events, such as death of a loved one or divorce. They entail chronic strains such as living in an abusive relationship. Stressors also consist of occasional strains, such as getting a flat tire in heavy traffic. (Source: Fact Sheet HE-2089, 11-91, Florida Cooperative Extension Service)

RESPONSE (Continue Reading…)

The “Laughter Factor”

by Karyn Buxman, MSN, CSP, CPAE

Life must be lived as play. Plato

Ed Shanks shifts his weight, getting comfortable in the Lazy-Boy while the nurse adjusts the drip rate of his chemotherapy. He picks up the remote control and flips on the video tape he has chosen, “The Best of Laurel and Hardy.” Sound appropriate? Sure is. Is it beneficial? You bet. Patients of all kinds are discovering the numerous healthy benefits of humor.

Benefits of Laughter: Scientists are now finding evidence to support what most of us have suspected all along: that humor and laughter are good for you. William Fry, PhD, of Stanford University in California and one of the leading researchers in the field of humor physiology, states that humor, mirth and laughter have impact on most, if not all, of the major human body systems.

While Ed is laughing at Laurel and Hardy, what’s going on in (Continue Reading…)

A Dose of Humor Keeps You From Losing Your Patients

by Ronald P. Culberson, MSW, CSP
Director or Everything! – FUNsulting, etc.

Humor is not an intervention that is measured by Medicare or the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations surveys. Yet it can be one of the most effective treatments we can offer patients. The following two contrasting experiences show the power of the humor difference.

My friend Jim Ball was accompanying his daughter for her pre-surgical visit with the orthopedic surgeon. When Jim asked the doctor how long her knee surgery would take, the surgeon replied, “They tell me it's a short procedure. I wouldn't know since this is my first one. Don't worry though, we keep a manual in the operating room – I can always refer to that if I need to.”

After glancing at the wall to make sure the surgeon actually had a medical degree, Jim started laughing. (Continue Reading…)

Life is Fun and Funny- and Filled with Magic

by Brad Montgomery

I used to think I was unique.

I’ve been a speaker, comic, and magician for my entire adult life; I’ve never had a real job. I’ve traveled the world performing humor and magic and telling groups to lighten up and mellow out. For me, life is fun and funny. And filled with magic.

I tend to see humor, joy, hilarity, and magic everywhere. I see it at work and at the grocery story. I notice it while I’m in my car and while I’m at home with my kids. And I used to think this magical perspective I had on the world was something I was born with.

But through the years, I’ve realized that this perspective is available to each and every one of us, and is completely learnable. I’ve come to understand that what I call “magic” is actually quite ordinary. (Continue Reading…)

Turn your Trade Show into a FUNvention

by Ronald P. Culberson, MSW, CSP
Director of Everything!, FUNsulting, etc.

I showed up the night before my presentation to the Florida Division of the American Cancer Society and made my way to the ballroom for dinner. In the lobby, I encountered a man in a leopard outfit. As I turned the corner on the second floor, I saw a woman dressed up as a lion. I immediately checked my contact sheet to make sure I was in the right location.

It turns out that the theme for the evening was “Welcome to the Jungle”, and the meeting planners had organized team skits, a Tarzan yelling competition and a “Jane” costume contest for men only! The evening was a rousing success with lots of humor and a wonderful sense of camaraderie.

Researchers have referred to humor as a social lubricant because of the way it brings people together (Continue Reading…)

When Is It OK To Laugh?

The days following my seven year old nephew's death were a blur of activities. The busy-ness of making funeral arrangements, greeting friends and sharing memories kept us conveniently distracted so that our brains would not stumble into the pockets of grief scattered throughout our mind. We would spend enough time there over the months ahead so the distractions were welcomed.

After two viewings, a memorial service and a graveside service, our family gathered at my parents' home for a needed meal and some rest. We picked at our dinner, a generously donated gift of the usuals. Chicken Tetrazine, green bean casserole with the little canned onion rings on top, buttery homemade rolls and rich chocolate brownies made from scratch. Then we slumped into our seats in the living room and let out a collective sigh. We looked like warriors that had just returned from battle and (Continue Reading…)

10 Tips for Adding a Bolt of “Lighten”ing to the Healthcare Workplace

by Ron Culberson

1. Use HUMOR in communicating information through emails, memos and presentations, discharge instructions, etc.

2. Start all staff meetings, team meetings, nurse's reports and case presentations with a bit of HUMOR to create a relaxed atmosphere.

3. Create a FUN committee to help plan parties, celebrations and recognition events for staff.

4. Create a HUMOR Bulletin Board in the nurse's station or staff area where you can put funny cartoons, jokes and pictures to share with other staff.

5. Hold a LAUGH Lunch once each month where, over lunch, staff have a chance to share jokes, stories, embarrassing patient care moments and other funny things.

6. Collect HUMOROUS books, tapes, and magazines to be made available to patients and their families to relieve stress.

7. Create a FUN Stress Relief Area for staff that includes stress balls, candy, Koosh Balls, etc.

8. Cut (Continue Reading…)

Enjoy Yourself

by Allen Klein

Waiting for my plane one morning, I was not aware of any children nearby, only adults reading their newspapers, chatting with others or gazing into space. Suddenly there was an announcement over the loudspeaker that the flight had been canceled. Disgruntled, the passengers made their way to the counter to be reticketed. Two children, perhaps six and seven-years-old caught my eye. They were the only ones not complaining. They were the only ones who seemed to be having a good time in spite of the situation.

Sitting on the floor, they reached into a small carry-on bag, pulled out a handful of plastic Mutant Ninja Turtles, and proceeded to enjoy themselves. When they tired of this, they traced the lines of the carpet with their feet. They repeatedly counted the number of colors in each section of the rug. And they made up a game by hopping from (Continue Reading…)

Seriously, The Joke Is Dead

by WARREN ST. JOHN

In case you missed its obituary, the joke died recently after a long illness, of, oh, 30 years. Its passing was barely noticed, drowned out, perhaps, by the din of ironic one-liners, snark and detached bons mots that pass for humor these days.

The joke died a lonely death. There was no next of kin to notify, the comedy skit, the hand-buzzer and Bob Newhart’s imaginary telephone monologues having passed on long before. But when people reminisce about it, they always say the same thing: the joke knew how to make an entrance. “Two guys walked into a bar”; “So this lady goes to the doctor”; “Did you hear the one about the talking parrot?” The new humor sneaks by on little cat feet, all punch line and no setup, and if it bombs, you barely notice. The joke insisted on everyone’s (Continue Reading…)

What If the Hokey Pokey IS What It’s All About?

by Patt Schwab. Ph.D., CSP

No matter where you are in life, every so often you need to stop and ask yourself the philosophical question this article poses: What if the Hokey Pokey is what it's all about?

Think about it.

Seriously.

What if, when we get up to those pearly gates, they don't ask us how many awards we received or stuff we accumulated or software programs we finally mastered? What if we are asked how much singing and dancing we did with our friends and loved ones?

The Hokey Pokey is a great metaphor for focusing on the goals that matter. Not the stress and structure goals of youth, but the self delighting goals that come when the hard stuff is done and a new world stretches before you. Here are a couple tips on how to use the wisdom of the Hokey Pokey.

Put (Continue Reading…)