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WILLIAM FRY

• In 1971, Dr. William Fry of the Stanford University Medical School started doing empirical studies on the effects of humor and laughter on the healing process.

• His results are now widely published.

与国际幽默研究大师与国际幽默研究大师 William FryWilliam Fry 合合影影

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Humor is one of the few therapeutic strategies that does as much good for the doctor as it does for the patient.

Prescription: You need humor!Prescription: You need humor!

法拉第的幽默治疗法拉第的幽默治疗• 英国著名化学家法拉第，由于长期紧张英国著名化学家法拉第，由于长期紧张

工作，患头痛、失眠等症，经过多年医工作，患头痛、失眠等症，经过多年医治，未能根除，健康每况愈下。后来，治，未能根除，健康每况愈下。后来，一位高明的医师给他开了一张奇怪的处一位高明的医师给他开了一张奇怪的处方：没写药名，只写了一句谚语：方：没写药名，只写了一句谚语：““一一个小丑进城，胜过一打医生个小丑进城，胜过一打医生。。””

• 法拉第决定经常到马戏团看小丑表演，法拉第决定经常到马戏团看小丑表演，每次都是大笑而归。从此，他的紧张情每次都是大笑而归。从此，他的紧张情绪逐渐松弛，不久，头痛、失眠的症状绪逐渐松弛，不久，头痛、失眠的症状也消失了。也消失了。

增增强强身身心心健健康康

What What is laughteris laughter• Laughter is a part of human behaviour regulated by Laughter is a part of human behaviour regulated by

the brain. It helps humans clarify their intentions in the brain. It helps humans clarify their intentions in social interaction and provides an emotional context social interaction and provides an emotional context to conversations. to conversations.

• Laughter is used as a signal for being part of a group Laughter is used as a signal for being part of a group — it signals acceptance and positive interactions — it signals acceptance and positive interactions with others. Laughter is sometimes seemingly with others. Laughter is sometimes seemingly contagious, and the laughter of one person can itself contagious, and the laughter of one person can itself provoke laughter from others as a positive provoke laughter from others as a positive feedbackfeedback..

“What helps people survive awful

circumstances is their ability to

detach and get beyond themselves.

This is seen in heroism and humor.”

-Victor Frankl

Ability to Find Humor and Laughter

Allows us to detach from the trauma for a moment

Offers a respite from the emotional chaos

Provides an emotional catharsis

Provides a way to get beyond defenses

Gives us ballast and balance during difficult times

Neutralizes anger, tension and fear

Allows us to feel strong, resilient and hopeful

If we can laugh, we know that we will survive

How do you feel now?How do you feel now?

Humor and LaughterHumor and Laughter

• Humor and laughter strengthen our immune systems and help us recover from illness, as well as bring joy into our lives

• Laughter activates the chemistry of the will to live and increases our capacity to fight disease.

• Laughing relaxes the body and reduces problems associated with high blood pressure, strokes, arthritis, and ulcers.

• Some research suggests that laughter may also reduce the risk of heart disease.

• Stock humorous magazines and newsletters in waiting areas and restrooms• Funny video or audio tapes in the lounge• Artwork with playful themes• Develop a humor events committee

• Keep a Smile-a-day board

Bringing Humor to Work

Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor

www.AATH.org

World Laughter TourWorld Laughter Tour • Laughter is its Own Reward. Laughter is its Own Reward. • Laughter reminds us that we are joyously and Laughter reminds us that we are joyously and

joyfully natural beings, of nature not merely joyfully natural beings, of nature not merely surrounded by nature. surrounded by nature.

• Laughter reminds us of the ecstatic potential Laughter reminds us of the ecstatic potential of our existence.of our existence.

• Laughter is the primary outer manifestation of Laughter is the primary outer manifestation of joy.joy.

Steve WilsonSteve Wilson

Let’s Laugh together

Let’s Laugh together

Let’s rejoice together!Let’s rejoice together!

The 7 Benefits of LaughterThe 7 Benefits of Laughter• Cardiac Exercise- A belly laugh is equivalent to "an

internal jogging." Laughter can provide good cardiac conditioning especially for those who are unable to perform physical exercises.

• Blood Pressure - Women seem to benefit more than men in preventing hypertension.

• Respiration - Frequent belly laughter empties your lungs of more air than it takes in resulting in a cleansing effect - similar to deep breathing. Especially beneficial for patient's who are suffering from emphysema and other respiratory ailments.

The 7 Benefits of LaughterThe 7 Benefits of Laughter• Muscle RelaxationMuscle Relaxation - Belly laugh results in muscle - Belly laugh results in muscle

relaxation. While you laugh, the muscles that do not relaxation. While you laugh, the muscles that do not participate in the belly laugh, relaxes. After you finish participate in the belly laugh, relaxes. After you finish laughing those muscles involved in the laughter start laughing those muscles involved in the laughter start to relax. So, the action takes place in two stages.to relax. So, the action takes place in two stages.

• Reduction of Stress HormonesReduction of Stress Hormones - - Laughter reduces at Laughter reduces at least four of neuro-endocrine hormones associated least four of neuro-endocrine hormones associated with stress response. These are epinephrine, cortisol, with stress response. These are epinephrine, cortisol, dopac, and growth hormone.dopac, and growth hormone.

• Immune System EnhancementImmune System Enhancement - Clinical studies - Clinical studies have shown that humor strengthens the immune have shown that humor strengthens the immune system.system.

• Pain ReductionPain Reduction - Humor allows a person to "forget" - Humor allows a person to "forget" about pains such as aches, arthritis, etc.about pains such as aches, arthritis, etc.

Let’s laugh together

Welcomes you to attend theWelcomes you to attend the 22nd International Society for Humor 22nd International Society for Humor

StudiesStudies

June 24-27, 2010June 24-27, 2010

Local Host:Local Host:Dr. Xiaodong YueDr. Xiaodong Yue

Department of Applied Social StudiesDepartment of Applied Social Studies

Use of Humor Therapy in History

• Humor has been used in medicine throughout recorded history. One of the earliest mentions of the health benefits of humor is in the book of Proverbs in the Bible. As early as the 13th century, some surgeons used humor to distract patients from the pain of surgery.

• Humor was also widely used and studied by the medical community in the early 20th century.

1.1. Humor hads a long history, but a short past in Humor hads a long history, but a short past in Chinese society. Chinese society.

2.2. The first Chinese jokes book, The first Chinese jokes book, 笑林笑林 (The Forestry (The Forestry of Jokes), was published in about 2000 years ago. of Jokes), was published in about 2000 years ago.

3.3. The first Chinese humorisits are Laotze (The first Chinese humorisits are Laotze ( 老 子老 子 ) ) and Zhuang Zi (and Zhuang Zi ( 庄子庄子 ), the founders of Taoism), the founders of Taoism

4.4. The Chinese humor has been underdeveloped The Chinese humor has been underdeveloped largely due to the influence of Confucianism. largely due to the influence of Confucianism.

History of Chinese HumorHistory of Chinese Humor

中国人的幽默传统

尽管 humor 一词进人中国很晚，但“幽默”作为喜剧美学的一种形式，在我国同样起源很早，只是它在二十世纪以前一直以其他种种名目出现诸如“滑稽”、 “科诨”等。中国幽默的传统是一个有待系统研究的大题目，但目前暂且可以循着这样三条线：

俳优——戏剧——曲艺； 寓言故事——民间笑话——政治笑话； 民谣——文人散文诗词——话本小说——各类文学作品。

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The Past of Chinese The Past of Chinese Humor TherapyHumor Therapy