Translate

Thursday, January 24, 2013

LOL At Pain - Humor Therapy

Recently I was talking with a friend who has chronic pain and Fibromyalgia. We compared  our different treatment options and discussed the medicines that worked (or didn't work) for each of us. But, I must admit, I was caught off guard when she asked me: "What do you do for humor therapy?" 

I was speechless. Did I hear her correctly? Humor Therapy? What the heck does that mean? It wasn't something that had been mentioned by any of the Doctors and Specialists I have seen over the years. Even though I was still dumbfounded I  managed to rattle off a few of the movies that always get a laugh out of me (think Zookeeper and talking ape).

Later that night, I was still pondering her statement.  Growing up, when life was hard, or events were upsetting, my mom would always say: "Sometimes you just have to laugh to keep from crying." Then I was reminded of the saying "Laughter is the best medicine." Although we use this statement today, many people don't realize that this is derived from a verse in the Bible: 

“A happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.” – Proverbs 17:22 (Amplified Bible)

Being a good girl, I did like I was taught to do in Sunday School.  I asked myself: how does this verse personally apply to me and my pain? (see I did listen and even paid attention).  It's easy to understand the "a happy heart is good medicine" portion of this verse, because being happy does make us feel better. A "cheerful mind works healing" means that if I focus on the positives, this hope aids in my healing process, while dwelling on the negatives will give me  a"broken spirit," or lack of hope (the medical term for this is depression) which robs me of the joys of life.

"Rejoice and exalt in hope; be steadfast and patient in suffering and tribulation; be constant in prayer." -Romans 12:12 (Amplified Bible)

This verse reminds me: 

  • To rejoice or be happy. 
  • To exalt - meaning to praise the virtues of someone (God) or to raise that person into a position of greater authority or power. 
  • To be hopeful, or to have an attitude of hope (My hope is in the Lord!) and not feeling helpless or stressed out.
  • To be steadfast and patient- to not give up when trouble (or pain, or illness) comes into my life. (To wait upon the Lord)
  • To be constant in prayer - not letting anything stop me from, or interfering with, my praying. (There IS power in prayer!)


While searching the internet to see if I could find anything relating to Humor Therapy I was surprised to  learn that there is even a Laughter Yoga movement (I'm being serious). Yoga Laughter combines unconditional laughter with Pranayama, the yoga term meaning control of the breath. Clinical research on Laughter Yoga methods, conducted at the University of Graz in Austria; Bangalore, India; and in the United States has proved that laughter lowers the level of stress hormones (epinephrine, cortisol, etc) in the blood. It fosters a positive and hopeful attitude. It is less likely for a person to succumb to stress and feelings of depression and helplessness, if one is able to laugh away the troubles.  It has been scientifically proven that laughter, even if it's a fake laugh, (our bodies can't distinguish between the two) is good for us.  
Source: www.laughteryoga.org/index.php?ption=com_content&view=article&id=180:what-is-laughter-yoga&Itemid=265

Then (wait for it) there are the Laughing Exercises (honestly, I'm not making this stuff up) to work your abs.  "Laugh Your Abs Off" combines yoga exercises with laughing. Although I personally wouldn't pay money to take this class. Nor did I think the video clip was funny (I was getting so annoyed at this woman I really wanted to knock something off of her). But it claims this video is real (real like the TV commercial where the woman says "they can't put anything on the internet that isn't true, and she learned that on the internet" type of true?). See for yourself:  www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1Rzw-hV7Ng

My personal Humor Therapy will include watching:

  • American Funniest Videos - Which raises the age old question: why do we laugh, even when someone gets hurt?
  • The Little Rascals or Our Gang Movies - Picture Alfalfa singing with the soap bubbles coming out of his mouth. The He Man Woman Hater Club episode which is one of my favorites, as is the Rushin' Ballet when they are trying to run away from Butch, and instead Spanky and Alfalfa end up in a dance recital dressed like girls in pink tutus. (I saw that smile!)
  • Christian Comedian Chondra Pierce  is funny with her real life take on the humor in our every day life events - "Staying Alive...Laughing" where she talks about her conservative , religious background and tells of her mom starting to wear slacks and getting her ears pierced..."Mama got her AARP card and went to hell!"  www.myspace.com/chondarpierce/videos Or her "Lowriders" skit on women wearing lowrider jeans and their mushroom tops (the flesh that hangs over the top of the jeans).  Just say No to the Low! www.myspace.com/video/vid/7953105
  • Gabriel Iglesias - also known as the Fluffy comic in a Hawaiian shirt, and noted for coining the phrase I'm not Fat... I'm Fluffy! While I'm not a big fan of some of the adult humor and foul words he uses,  I do laugh hysterically when he does "The Fat and the Furious" gig about his new VW Beetle car (he's great at sound effects).  www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPqcTFm2ID8
  • The Muppets - Who doesn't love Miss Piggy and Kermie? I also giggle at the Swedish Chef, (pass the 'hordy dors') the two old guys in the balcony, and lets not forget ANIMAL!!!!! (OK, who remember the 'Pigs in Space' episodes on the TV series?)
  • The Big Bang Theory TV show - who knew nerds could be so funny.
  • Jeff Dunham -a ventriloquist comedian with his army of oddball characters like Walter, Peanut, Bubba J the Redneck, Achmed the Dead Terrorist and Jose Jalepeno on a Stick.  http://www.comedycentral.com/comedians/jeff-dunham

So, what's on your Humor Therapy list? 

Thought For The Day:
An apple a day may keep the doctor away, but laughter is always contagious!

So laugh out loud with others, think happy thoughts, keep the faith and remember to say your prayers!
God Bless! :)

3 comments:

  1. Love your blog Paula! I am reminded on a regular basis that I have much to be thankful for. Even though I have MS and arthritis I do not have severe or constant pain especially when sitting. Thanks for your candor and love of our Lord. I was inspired to update my MS Story after reading your blog. You can find it here if you are interested: Any of my other websites can be found from the links page if interested. I am adding your blog to my links page. Be blessed and you already are a blessing!

    http://www.weebly.com/weebly/main.php#

    ReplyDelete
  2. Patty thanks so much for your feedback. I plan on checking out your story. After finding out so many people I know are dealing with pain & health issues I just felt lead by the Lord to write this blog. Then I was talking with a friend & we had both said how do people who don't know God deal with these issues? At Church the next morning Pastor talked about Paul's health issues (his eye disease) & how he had asked for it to be removed, but God reminded him that God's grace is sufficient. We have a powerful God who has given us an opportunity to share our stories of helplessness & hope so that He can use them in a powerful way!! You are such a blessing & I will be adding your links to the blogs I follow to help get the message out. Blessing to you my friend!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Check out my friend's blog: http://www.wheretheballbounces.weebly.com

    ReplyDelete

Please feel free to leave a comment, share your thoughts, or leave a prayer request. Visit, share, be encouraged and be blessed!