did you know
The physical act of
laughing gets more blood
flowing to the brain.
"runner's high" because they
make the body relax, open up
the blood vessels, and give
a sense of wellbeing. Studies
have shown that the physical
act of laughing gets more blood
flowing to the brain and the skin,
which is why your face turns red.
Mart, who may be seen
running with a group around
HAC, among other places, says
that enjoyment of interacting
with others and a sense of
humor make for a more pleasant
workout. In his group, there is
almost always "some sort of
laughter and frivolity." Instead of
concentrating on the physical
task, they occupy themselves
with conversation. In his medical
practice, Mart finds that humor
can be a way of putting people
at ease, which reduces stress.
Another dedicated HAC
member, David Maged, MD, also
of Internal Medicine Associates,
agrees with Mart that laughter
is the best medicine. He,
too, sets a good example by
exercising at HAC. "Mind and
body go together," he says.
"A better frame of mind can
help, especially if you're going
through tough times."
Happiness and a positive
attitude help with healing, and
although there are times to
be serious, humor is a way to
"lighten a load even about a
serious subject." He cites the
example of Norman Cousins,
author of Anatomy of an Illness,
who set out to combat a
terminal diagnosis by laughing
at episodes of "The Marx
Brothers" and "Candid Camera."
David believes happiness is so
important that it can be more
powerful than diet and exercise
for overall well-being. He
finds that laughter can make a
treadmill workout fly by when
watching "Seinfeld" episodes.
His advice on ways to foster
a humorous outlook includes
watching comedies, reading
funny articles, and not taking
yourself so seriously. Laughing
with others is also an important
part of being connected to
them. "I really believe that a
positive mental outlook makes
life better," David says.
Here at HAC, we are lucky
to have wonderful classes,
instructors, trainers, and
equipment to nurture our bodies
and dietary consultation to
promote healthy eating. These
things also nourish our souls,
especially when we are positive
and enjoying the process. Even
if we aren't good at everything
we try, which most of us are not,
we can seek out the humor in
the situation as we keep trying
the activity or simply switch to
another one.
Humor is inevitably
found from as early in
the morning as 6
AM in the deep-
water classes, for
example, where a
vigorous workout
and camaraderie
combine to wake
us up. Even though
we are serious about the
exercise, joking makes it feel
as if we're just having fun. We
leave feeling refreshed from
the workout, enhanced by the
positive atmosphere.
A dedicated swimmer, HAC
member, Linda Blankenship,
suffers from chronic pain due to
ischial tuberosity resulting from
an accident. It is painful for her
to sit or stand for long in one
position, but instead of feeling
sorry for herself, she continues
her regular routine of lap
swimming, with modifications.
Though she is eager to resume
a more strenuous workout,
Linda says the laughter with
her pool pals, as well as with
grandchildren, has helped to
make her pain more bearable.
Cecily Sawyer Harmon,
LCSW, is a private practitioner
social worker, as well as clergy
at St. Thomas Parish and
chaplain at UD's Episcopal
Campus Ministry. Cecily has
made HAC her "second home."
In her social work practice,
Cecily sees the benefit of
humor in maintaining good
mental health. "Laughter can
be a catharsis, and a healthy
sense of humor enables us to
laugh at ourselves, keep things
in perspective, and feel good
about ourselves," she says.
"People who laugh
together feel bonded,"
Cecily continues.
This is true among
friends at HAC
as well as in the
therapeutic alliance
she forms with her
clients. "Laughter
decreases stress,
depression, anxiety, and fear.
When things are bad, you can
make a joke.
"Humor and laughter
can elevate mood, increase
energy, and help us to perform
activities." Asked how one
can foster humor to achieve
these benefits, Cecily said
that one way is by coming to
HAC, "where everyone is so
welcoming and positive, where
we are interested in ourselves
and others, and where we take
care of one another."
The Mayo Clinic, which
asserts that positive thoughts
can help fight stress and
potentially more serious
ailments, suggests keeping
humorous photos, greeting
cards, comic strips, and books
on hand for times when we
need an added chuckle.
In my own experience,
humor has always contributed
to my positive outlook. The only
time I didn't want to be kept
in stitches was after a major
surgery when I already was in
stitches. A clown walked into
my hospital room and I held up
my hand like a stop sign and
said, "Don't make me laugh!" He
didn't. I enjoyed laughing about
the episode later.
I think the consensus is
clear – injecting some humor
into every day will make us
healthier, happier, and probably
even wiser!
Jean Youkers has been an enthusiastic
HAC member ever since the club opened.
She writes fiction, creative non-fiction,
and poetry. Her goal in retirement is to
promote humor and optimism wherever
she goes.
enhance magazine | NOVEMBER 2017
45