Life University Staff Council Newsletter Volume 8 Issue 2 | Page 5

"On the surface, it would seem that death and humor are polar opposites and have nothing in common as far as human emotion and experience are concerned, but that really seems to be untrue for most people."

Continued from page 4

On the surface, it would seem that death and humor are polar opposites and have nothing in common as far as human emotion and experience are concerned, but that really seems to be untrue for most people. I did some digging to see if I was alone in my quandary over death and humor. If you Google “Why do People Have to Die” you will get 428,000,000 possible results. Clearly this is not a question isolated inside my brain. The results range from political ones, to scientific genre, to sincere heartfelt stories people have developed for coping with loss and the pain of it.

If you search “Humor in Death” you will get 51,500,000 results —apparently, this also is not an isolated thought pattern, but there aren’t as many people focusing on finding the funny. According to Psychology Today, “Thinking about death and pain makes people funnier” because humor has long since been an anxiety reliever. I suspected, but who knew for sure? Apparently, laughter through grief is not only normal, but a healthy alternative. Laurie Halse Anderson says, “Death is funny, when you think about it. Everybody does it, but nobody knows how, exactly how.” Mystery is a miracle.

You know God really has a sense of humor. We start out as helpless babies and many of us leave this world the exact same way, just as naked and confused as we were when we entered. I wonder why it is that although we all know mortality exists, we often do not embrace the fact of how we all end up. And in the pain of knowing where it all ends up, we still choose freely to love each other, pets, and even now and then ourselves too. Now that’s a miracle.



LIFE-Steps to Wellness

Staying Healthy with Fur Babies

Healthy, loving relationships can have a positive impact on our social, physical and emotional wellbeing. This can hold true for friends and family members with two legs, but includes our quadrupedal companions as well. According to Web MD, having a pet can have a positive impact on your mood and health, and can be a great way to fight stress. Pets can not only help us to get outside and get moving, but can also help us feel calm, loved and connected. Web MD outlines six great reasons to open your homes to fur babies:
• Heart Health - Pets provide an outlet for exercise, and can have a positive impact on blood pressure
• Stress Soothing - Petting animals releases relaxation hormones and decrease the hormones associated with stress
• Social Health - Pets help us connect with other people, even strangers who stop to admire your pets during a walk
• Meaning - Pets can give us a sense of belonging and meaning, and can help us to be happier and more trusting
• Healthy Kids - Studies show that children with pets have fewer allergies, colds and ear infections, as pets can help to build a healthy immune system
• Classroom Support - Pets in the classroom can help children relate better to others, and can be particularly helpful to children with autism

So remember, as you work hard to take care of your pets, your pets are also taking care of you! And if you don’t have pets, please check out a rescue shelter and get in on this great opportunity for love and companionship!