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A Prescription to Laugh: Healing Through Humor And Laughter
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By Lynn Shaw, Laugh Therapist
What are the Differences Between Laughter and Humor?
Laughter is innate, and you are born with your giggles. You have unique sounds of laughter. Your laughter may sound similar to another's laughter, but your sound is brilliantly yours. Laughter exists on its own merit. You do not have to "get the joke," hear a story, or decipher a code in order to laugh.
People are surprised to learn that I do not tell jokes, yet I laugh every day. Sometimes I get requests to tell jokes, and I offer to just start laughing instead. I enjoy a good joke, but I'm a terrible joke-teller.
Humor is the interpretation of what you perceive as funny. Your sense of humor begins forming during your early life lessons of what is appropriate to laugh about or inappropriate (such as ridicule or teasing). Once the perception is processed in your mind, then your mind informs your body to push the laughter button and let your laughter sounds begin.
For some people who find laughter difficult, humor can be the jumpstart to finding their brilliant sounds of laughter. Paul McGhee, Ph.D., author of Health, Healing, and the Amuse System: Humor as Survival Training, (Kendall/Hunt, 1999) suggests that some people need to surround themselves with humor through comedy clubs, television shows, or friends who are identified as having "a great sense of humor." By doing so, Dr. McGhee contends that people will connect with humor and then enjoy the laughter that follows.
When I tell stories in my presentations, most audience members will connect with my humor and then laugh. But, occasionally someone comes up to me saying; "I just wasn't with you today." All that means is that their humor did not connect with mine, which leads me to another subtle difference between laughter and humor.
Humor Cannot Always be Shared
Laughter is energy that can be shared because there is not a stimulus that has to accompany it that is inclusive of others. Humor however, is subjective and not always shared.
Did you laugh at the last joke you heard? Have you been on the receiving end of a practical joke? Did you laugh? Do you enjoy certain television shows that other family members despise? Do you laugh uproariously at a commercial to find your friend looking over at you in dismay?
In summary, laughter is innate and can be shared. Humor is learned and isn't always appreciated by more than the interpreter. There has to be an intellectual connection as well.
How Can You Use Laughter and Humor for Healing?
For the purpose of applying laughter to your daily life and the healing of your mind, body and spirit, think of humor as the brain waves jumpstarting your laughter.
Become aware of what you interpret as funny. For example next time you purchase a card, discover which ones elicited laughter. Read cartoons, bumper stickers, billboard signs to enhance your awareness of what generates laughter. When people tell stories, pay attention to how you felt afterwards. Did you laugh? Reflect on which radio, TV shows or movies make you laugh. Armed with this new awareness, use the tool of humor to induce laughter for your health, healing and general sense of well-being.
Finally, spend time daily practicing laughing out loud. Maybe smiling first, then leaning into a giggle, then outright belly laughs. Now move beyond thinking about laughter and humor. Go ahead . . . it's safe . . . you can do it…ready, get set, laugh!
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