June 2008
The monthly, members-only, e-zine keeps AATH members updated on the latest developments in the world of applied and therapeutic humor. Each link will open a new window for anything outside the AATH website. All web links below have been carefully checked and worked at the time of publication. If the link does not take you to the listed article, please contact the owners of that website about finding that article. Disclaimer: Published by Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor. AATH accepts no responsibility for any claims, either expressed or implied, in this publication. The information and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of AATH, its officers, directors, staff, or members. |
Dear AATH E-Zine Readers,
Please email me at ezine@aath.org if you have an article, quote, etc. for future issues.
Thanks!
Chip Lutz,
Ezine Editor
AATH in the NEWS:
Time to tickle your funny-bone — The Tribune - Kingwood,TX,USA — Let me share a few research findings to show you the healing power of humor. According to the Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor, laughter can…
A Roar of Laughter: Good for Your Health? Laughter increases circulation, exercises the lungs, oxygenates blood, works abdominal muscles and lowers stress hormones, according to Lenny Dave, president of the Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor based in Aliso Viejo, Calif. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/23/AR2008052302525.html?sub=new
MEMBERS in the NEWS:
Mpls. woman inspires other cancer patients through 'Cancer Club'. Christine Beckwith, CSP. Some of the hardest words to hear from your doctor: You have cancer. A Minneapolis woman is trying to make the best of such news by reaching out to others like her and inspiring them. http://kstp.com/article/stories/s431241.shtml?cat=1.
Aliso Viejo association tries to get the last laugh. Dr. Steve Sultanoff. On any given day, Steve Sultanoff tries to pass for John Wayne, Marilyn Monroe or Elvis Presley. http://www.ocregister.com/articles/humor-sultanoff-says-2053720-people-funny
Laughter reaches places that medicine can't. Kathy Passinini, CSP, CPAE. he adage that laughter is the best medicine might not be too far off, according to motivational speaker Kathleen Passanisi. http://www.herald-review.com/articles/2008/05/21/life/features/1032666.txt
HUMOR in the NEWS:
Sense of humor keeps things in balance — Enid News & Eagle - Enid,OK,USA — They exude happiness. They see the fun side of life. Little girls giggle at everything. Is anything more delightful to hear? They don’t take things too…
A roar of laughter: good for your health? — The Oregonian - OregonLive.com - Portland,OR,USA — And participants in the International Laughter Yoga Conference in India may look a lot less silly if conjecture tying laughter to improved health proves…
Brain Research and Learning Seminar at LSUA — KALB-TV Newschannel 5 - Alexandria,LA,USA — Studies have shown that active exploration, repetition, sensory exploration and laughter can boost brain power, and the seminar is designed to show teachers…
Laughter clubs help people 'yuk' their way to better health — The Plain Dealer - cleveland.com - Cleveland,OH,USA — Since Cousins' book "Anatomy of an Illness" was published in 1979, many others have documented the benefits of humor and laughter.
Health Benefits Humor Laughter Healing Power Humor Laughter Stress ... — Health Benefits Humor Laughter Healing Power Humor Laughter Stress Reduction Seattle Comedy Club Therapy Immune System Blood Pressure Mental Health Care
Clowning around has serious benefits — ChronicleLive - Newcastle upon Tyne,England,UK — Clown doctors often visited the region’s hospitals to provide laughter and help them understand what is going on. The “doctors” use circus skills…
The role of comedy in the society — Vanguard - Apapa,Lagos,Nigeria — If laughter is food for the soul, as Shakespeare put it, then Nigerians are having a belly-full of it. This, perhaps, explains why, in the face of stark…
Take control of your stress — The Swazi Observer - Mbabane,Swaziland — Laughter really is the best medicine. Laughing has loads of benefits, it relieves stress and makes those around you feel better. So think about something…
Laughter Really Is the Best Medicine — Stop Aging Now - Washington,DC,USA — The Anti-Aging Bottom Line: Protect your health with a daily dose of humor. Don’t just think of it as a time out. Realize that just anticipating having a…
Healthy Advice For Moms On Stress Relief — eMaxHealth.com - Hickory,NC,USA — Did you know laughter can actually lower stress? It's true. Laughing can reduce levels of stress hormones while increasing hormones such as endorphins…
Laughter is the best fertility medicine — Jerusalem Post - Israel —... that influences the immune system and the heart and lung systems, and there is a real connection between laughter and medicine and humor and health."
You Docs: Laugh your way to good health — Seattle Post Intelligencer – USA — All of which explains one of our favorite health factors: Frequent laughter can make your RealAge -- that's your biological, not your birthday age -- up to…
Self-Therapy with Sessions of Laughter — New University Online - CA,USA — Laughter releases endorphins and antibody-producing cells to enhance the immune system and promote health. Endorphins, often referred to as the “feel-good”…
Norman Cousins: A Spokesman for the Human Race — Mother Earth News - Topeka,KS,USA — PLOWBOY: Speaking of the power of expectations, some of the current research here at the UCLA Medical Center has been backing up many of your beliefs with…
Good humor is a winning strategy — Minneapolis Star Tribune - Minneapolis,MN,USA — "It creates happiness in the home, fosters goodwill in a business, and is the countersign of friends. It is rest to the weary, daylight to the discouraged…
Jerry's still a kid: Veteran comic returns to stage — The Star-Ledger - NJ.com - Newark,NJ,USA — "The doctors will verify that they have science and research telling them that most people with a sense of humor are going to live at least 10 more years…
High blood pressure has a humorous side — Glens Falls Post-Star - Glens Falls,NY,USA — There appears to be more than one "funny side" to contemplate when passing judgment about using laughter as therapy. Marvin Ackerman, MD, is a retired local…
Having fun at work increases loyalty, productivity — AZ Central.com - AZ,USA — The research firm Ipsos surveyed 1000 employees, and those who rated their manager's sense of humor "above average" said there was a 90 percent chance…
Humor Plays an Important Role in Healthcare Even When Patients are Terminally Ill. Humour can play an essential role in the most serious healthcare settings, even when patients are receiving intensive or end of life care, according to research in the April issue of the UK-based Journal of Clinical Nursing. http://cfhcweblog.typepad.com/fpcpp/2008/05/humor-plays-an.html
Humor with heart: Naperville doc organizing Comedy Night benefit. Edward Hospital physician David McElligott is a man who takes his humor seriously. http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=190028
Confirmed! Bureaucrats have no sense of humor, funny stop signs nixed. Inhabitants of Oak Lawn, Ill. apparently have a hard time understanding the meaning of the large red octagons posted on street corners through the city.
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/02/confirmed-bureaucrats-have-no-sense-of-humor-funny-stop-signs/?icid=1615984946x1201521729x1200303547
The World of HUMOR
Dr. David Cannon: Research refines views about depression — Daily Journal - Seneca,SC,USA — Third, bring as much humor into your life as possible. Finding some humor in a problem often removes much of its sting. Finally, give to others…
Cancer survivors share love, laughter and dreams — TheReporter.com - Vacaville,CA,USA — By Kimberly K. Fu Dr. Stuart Robertshaw, also known as "Dr. Humor," extols the virtues of healing humor Sunday at the 12th Annual National Cancer Survivors…
Achieving Happiness: Here's how to take charge of your destiny — Annapolis Capital - Annapolis,MD,USA —... faithfulness, fitness, forgiveness, freedom, friendship, gratitude, happiness, health, helping, honesty, hope, humility, humor, influence, integrity…
Do happy employees make happy customers? — MyCustomer.com - UK — Can the happiness of your employees actually influence the happiness of your customers? The evidence certainly suggests so. Historically, a great many…
With age come happiness and improved self-esteem — Wicked Local Roslindale - Needham,MA,USA — It is hard to imagine anyone being happy without a sense of humor. Unless you can laugh at certain human predicaments, you will almost surely become unhappy…
Smile - happiness is good for you — Canada.com - Don Mills,Ontario,Canada — As well, because the results were collected over such a short period, more research needs to be done on the long-term health differences between happy and…
Other Things Going On
We are happy to announce that the registration for the 8th International Summer School and Symposium on Humour and Laughter, from the 23rd to 28th of June, 2008 is now open. In fact the deadline for early registration is March 20th. Details and the registration procedure can be found at http://www.humoursummerschool.org/08/
Great Story
In 1986, Peter Davies was on holiday in Kenya after graduating from Northwestern University . On a hike through the bush, he came across a young bull elephant standing with one leg raised in the air. The elephant seemed distressed, so Peter approached it very carefully.
He got down on one knee and inspected the elephant's foot and found a large piece of wood deeply embedded in it. As carefully and as gently as he could, Peter worked the wood out with his hunting knife, after which the elephant gingerly put down its foot. The elephant turned to face the man, and with a rather curious look on its face, stared at him for several tense moments.
Peter stood frozen, thinking of nothing else but being trampled. Eventually the elephant trumpeted loudly, turned, and walked away. Peter never forgot that elephant or the events of that day.
Twenty years later, Peter was walking through the Brookfield Zoo with his teenaged son. As they approached the elephant enclosure, one of the creatures turned and walked over to near where Peter and his son Cameron were standing.
The large bull elephant stared at Peter, lifted its front foot off the ground, then put it down. The elephant did that several times then trumpeted loudly, all the while staring at the man.
Remembering the encounter in 1986, Peter couldn't help wondering if this was the same elephant. Peter summoned up his courage, climbed over the railing and made his way into the enclosure. He walked right up to the elephant and stared back in wonder. The elephant trumpeted again, wrapped its trunk around one of Peter legs and slammed his stupid ass against the railing, killing him instantly.
Probably wasn't the same elephant.
