Laughter eases stress, nurse explains
by Tiffany Davis, south editor

     When people are stressed, laughter breaks the cycle, allowing those people to put things in perspective, the coordinator of health services said last week when she spoke on South Campus to Women in New Roles (WIN-R).

     Flo Stanton, R.N., presented Laughing Your Way Through Stress by first using interaction to make the group loosen up and laugh.

     The audience members were prime examples as to how laughing relieves tension and helps people feel better.

     Stanton said, “laughter can relieve stress.”

     “Laughter is a natural pain reliever and tension reducer because it increases the immune system and braces the spirit,” she said.

     Stanton provided the guests with informative handouts on laughter and stress. She also offered a stress test handout.

     “It’s not that we laugh because we’re happy; we’re happy because we laugh,” she said.

     “The objective here is to increase awareness about attitudes and feelings, to increase the knowledge about the benefits of laughter and to promote more laughter in everyday life,” she said.

     Stanton pointed out that stress can cause health problems. There are numerous indicators of stress, including nausea, diarrhea, constipation, clumsiness, irritability, loss of focus and even hopelessness.

     “Don’t watch the news at bedtime because sometimes the bad things that are on the news are unsettling for people and caused restlessness,” Stanton advised.

     According to research, from the University of California Santa Barbara Laughter Project, “Stress is a known danger to your health, but a good laugh can chase stress away in a jiffy. Even a smile can counteract the negative energy of gloomy thoughts.”

     Researchers suggest that “people can make laughter work for themselves by watching a funny movie or reading a funny book.

     “Using humor when we find ourselves in tense situations is okay as long as we aren’t making fun of others or joking about someone else’s failings,” Stanton said.

     “Do not laugh at others, but laugh with others. Remember making others laugh works for the spirit too,” she said.

     According to information supplied by Stanton, “By creating happiness for others, people will experience a special joy of accomplishment.”

     Her information said that when laughter subsides, so does tension.

     “The decreased tension can last up to 45 minutes. The greater the intensity of the laughter, the larger the decrease in tension,” she said.

     According to the handout, “A good belly laugh can improve breathing and help digestion because it increases the oxygen in your blood, benefiting your entire body.”

     Laughter tips from UC-Santa Barbara suggested that increasing playfulness and creativity in life would help relieve stress. Spending more time with people who make one laugh is good since laughter is contagious.

     For more information on stress relief, contact Stanton, in the South Campus health center or at 817-515-4531.

     Those who would like more information on the WIN-R program should contact Triesha Light at 817-515-4740.