![]() ![]() Importantly, the positive emotions of humor and laughter decrease the risk for stress-related diseases ( 33). Together, these physiological responses to stress increase the risk for cardiovascular and other diseases ( 52). Chronic stress also increases the susceptibility to blood clots. As examples, chronic stress persistently elevates levels of stress hormones, including epinephrine and cortisol. He often expressed his belief that, since negative emotions lead to negative physiology, then positive emotion, such as humor, can lead to positive physiology. Cousins served as an Adjunct Professor at University of California–Los Angeles, where he conducted research on the biochemistry of human emotions, which he long believed were the keys to success in resisting and fighting illness. The disorder caused constant pain and suffering and was accompanied with a poor prognosis of only a few months to live. In 1964, norman cousins was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, a degenerative disease causing the breakdown of collagen. In this brief review, we discuss the history and relationship between humor, laughing, learning, and health with an emphasis on the powerful, universal language of laughter. Self-effacing humor illustrates to students that the teacher is comfortable making mistakes and sharing these experiences with the classroom. To achieve these benefits, it is important to use humor that is relevant to the course content and not disparaging toward others. Moreover, humor stimulates multiple physiological systems that decrease levels of stress hormones, such as cortisol and epinephrine, and increase the activation of the mesolimbic dopaminergic reward system. Specifically, humor improves student performance by attracting and sustaining attention, reducing anxiety, enhancing participation, and increasing motivation. ![]() In this context, when used effectively, humor is documented to build relationships and enhance performance. This is an important consideration because teaching is not just about content: it is also about forming relationships and strengthening human connections. Health care providers and educators may utilize the power of laughter to improve health and enhance teaching and learning. Laughter is part of a universal language of basic emotions that all humans recognize. These emotions form a set of basic, evolved functions that are shared by all humans. Human emotions, such as anxiety, depression, fear, joy, and laughter, profoundly affect psychological and physiological processes. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |