The monthly, members-only, e-zine keeps AATH members updated on the latest developments in the world of applied and therapeutic humor. Each link will open a new window for anything outside the AATH website. All web links below have been carefully checked and worked at the time of publication. If the link does not take you to the listed article, please contact the owners of that website about finding that article. Disclaimer: Published by Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor. AATH accepts no responsibility for any claims, either expressed or implied, in this publication. The information and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of AATH, its officers, directors, staff, or members. |
October 2005
Important Notice:
Members who consult the AATH E-zine know that the editor regularly states that the association of laughter and endorphin release has not been scientifically proven. This may be changing. In a recent study, Dr. Lee Berk of Loma Linda University in Southern California demonstrates endorphin release in a group of subjects who watched a comic video. This study has gone through peer review and has been presented at a major medical meeting, however it has not yet been published nor have these findings been independently repeated by other investigators. Both need to be done before we should fully embrace this finding. However, in light of Dr. Berk’s findings, the E-zine editor will no longer be correcting authors and speakers claiming the association of laughter and endorphins. Still, we advise caution in stating this until Berk's research has been reviewed and published.
Humor Research:Yemen Times
Facts of life
Smile, an ever-lasting smile!
Yemen Times Staff, September 1, 2005
Many researches and health studies proved that laughter has a healing effect on patients. People are advised to smile rather than frown and that “laughter is the best medicine”. http://yementimes.com
Ballarat Courier - Ballarat, Victoria,Australia
Laughter research a first
Tuesday, 13 September 2005
Errin Jones, 24, is focusing on the social behavior of humor and laughter in children with autism and Asperger's Disorder. www.thecourier.com.au
Laughter: The Best Medicine?
Penson RT, Partridge RA, Ruda P, Seiden MV, Nelson JE, Chabner, BA, Lynch TJ Jr.
MRCP, Dept. of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Mass. General Hospital, Cox 548, 100 Blossom St. Boston MA, 02114-2617, rpenson@partners.org.
“…When used sensitively, respecting the gravity of the situation, humor can build the connection among the caregiver, patient and family. However, insensitive joking is offensive and distressing,…”
AATH in the NewsI’m 50, Now What? Getting Serious About Being Funny
Noreen Braman, (new member blog) September 8, 2005
I stumbled upon an organization that knows exactly how serious this business of humor can be. The Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor http://nowfifty.blogspot.com
Reader’s Digest rd.com
Laugh Your Way to Good Health
How laughter affects every part of your body
September, 2005
He (Kevin Smith) teaches a course on humor and medicine at the University of Minnesota and came to this medical conference at Loma Linda University in California to argue that laughter has medical benefits. (Members Kevin Lee Smith and William Fry in this article) www.rd.com
HUMOR in the NEWS:
The Daily O’Collegian
Laughter is still best medicine as dementia patients entertain others
Katherine Spitz, Knight Ridder Newspapers
August 31, 2005
Clowning is one of many alternative therapies at Menorah Park, a Jewish nursing home in Beachwood, Ohio. The way-out-of-the-box therapies are usually the brainchild of Pam Nicholson, a gregarious woman who oversees the nursing home’s activities department. www.ocolly.okstate.edu
The Boston Globe
The kid gloves are off A Boston-based coalition fights to give children a commercial break
By Don Aucoin, Globe Staff | September 8, 2005
In mid-August, in a preemptive strike before the Cartoon Network had premiered Tickle U, a new block of programming aimed at preschoolers, CCFC blasted it as ''a cynical ploy to get young children to watch more television." www.boston.com
The Independent Online News, UK
Chimps speak universal language of laughter
By Steve Connor, Science Editor, Published: 07 September 2005
Humans and chimps have another thing in common other than a shared ancestor and genes - they both learn to smile and laugh at a very early age. http://news.independent.co.uk
The Republican
Embracing the humor along with the heartache
By RONNI GORDON, Thursday, September 8, 2005
Richman, author of "I'd Rather Laugh: How to be Happy Even When Life Has Other Plans for You," is scheduled to speak at 7 p.m. Sept. 19 at CityStage in Springfield. www.masslive.com
The Honolulu Star-Bulletin
Remember laughter?
By Nadine Kam, Wednesday, September 14, 2005
What if you opened an art show and everyone laughed?... And laughter may be just what the audience, and perhaps the nation, needs today. Ever since 9/11, it seems that the tragedies, losses and disasters, both manmade and natural, have been piling up faster and faster…http://starbulletin.com
The Liverpool Daily Post
Through the laughter and tears
David Charters reports, September 15, 2005
The first biography spanning Ken Dodd's half-century in show business is published today, telling of the grief and the joy in the life of Britain's best-loved comedian. http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk
Asbury Park Press, New Jersey
Assisted living residence finds time to clown around
Occasion: Start of National Assisted Living Week
By Michael Amsel, September 14, 2005
Ulla Melyan, executive director of The Gables, an assisted living residence, looked at the long line of residents dressed as clowns and watched them parade happily around the room. www.app.com
Recorder Newspapers, Echos-Sentinel
September 21, 2005
Laugh Out Loud’ classes see laughter as the best medicine
“Laughter is a universal language, which in our groups acts as a powerful social and emotional glue,” said (Yvette) Halpin. “Laughter has no accent, and is open to everyone. This is a breakthrough in integrative healing strategies. www.zwire.com
The Manila Times
Prayers and laughter
By Geronimo L. Sy, September 22, 2005
Laughter is indeed the best medicine not only for our bodies but also for our minds and attitudes. www.manilatimes.net
Arizona Business Gazette
No joke: Humor can help ease stage fright
September 22, 2005
Humor is an important tool to connect with your audience and ease your anxiety www.azcentral.com
The Telegraph-health
Grin - and you'll definitely bear it
September 26, 2005
Can humor really help the ill? Experts increasingly think so, and there is a growing body of evidence. Studies have hinted that humor can alleviate allergy symptoms, increase pain tolerance and bolster the disease-fighting immune system. www.telegraph.co.uk
The Quad City Times,
September 29, 2005
Teri Garr brings message of hope and humor to Q-C
By Lynne Voelliger
Garr’s closing remarks stressed the importance of finding the treatment that is right for you, as well as maintaining a sense of humor
www.qctimes.net
Sun Sentinal.com
By David Bauder
The Associated Press
September 26, 2005
Comedy can help heal a nation's wounds, said Robert Thompson, a professor of popular culture at Syracuse University.
www.sun-sentinel.com
Heard the one about Hurricane Katrina?
Hurricane humor helps heal nation's wounds
by David Bauder, The Associated Press www.detnews.com
The World of HUMOR
HUMOR IN THE NEWS: RELATED ARTICLES
BBC News World Edition
Pre war Brits “were happier”
Thursday, September 01, 2005
British people were happier in the depression of the 1930s than they are now, researchers have claimed http://news.bbc.co.uk
LATimes.com
For true fulfillment, seek satisfaction, not happiness
By Marianne Szegedy-Maszak, Special to The Times
September 5, 2005
A small group of neuroscientists such as Berns has tried to discover what happens in people’s brains during such nuanced emotional experiences as happiness, satisfaction, motivation, even social conformity.
http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com
Times on Line
The Secrets of Happiness
Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, September 19, 2005
Thirty years of research and 18 books later, I have proved that enduring happiness is quite different from what most people think it is. www.timesonline.co.uk
Quad-City Times
By Jennifer Best, September 22, 2005
Researchers tell us that temperament is generally stable throughout the lifespan. So, the temperament that you are born with is likely to stay with you into old age. www.qctimes.net
The Harvard Crimson on line edition
If You’re Richer, You’re Happier
By CLAIRE M. GUEHENNO
Contributing Writer
September 28, 2005
While money doesn’t necessarily buy happiness, people tend to be happier when they are richer than their peers, according to a recent study conducted by Harvard and Penn State. www.thecrimson.com
Humor Meetings:
Yahoo Finance
Get Ready For a Week of Sidesplitting Laughter ... November 1st - 6th, 2005
Press Release, September 7, 2005
The 2nd Annual New York Comedy Festival (NYCF) is back by popular demand this fall for another laughter-filled week, November 1st - 6th, 2005. Tickets go on sale at Ticketmaster on Wednesday, September 7th. http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/050907/nyw062.html?.v=23
Bob Nozik, E-zine Editor ezine@aath.org
