December 2007
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. |
Dear AATH E-Zine Readers,
Please email me at ezine@aath.org if you have an article, quote, etc. for future issues.
Thanks!
Chip Lutz,
Ezine Editor
Humor Research Sexist Humor No Laughing Matter, Researcher Says — Newswise (press release) – USA — "Specifically, we propose that sexist humor acts as a 'releaser' of prejudice." Ford, who conducted research into sexist humor with three graduate students...
Humor in the Workplace — BusinessWeek - USA — I've also done research on the subject of cross-cultural management styles and noticed how some humor works well in our culture, but not in other places.
Mind
Matters: Laughter in the Lab — ScienceCareers.org -
Washington,DC,USA — Although
there is no hard evidence linking laughter to scientific productivity, research does suggest that humor can relieve tension, reduce burnout...
HUMOR in the NEWS:
Laugh your way to stress relief — The Daily Star - Dhaka,Bangladesh — Research increasingly shows that laughter may ease pain by causing the body to produce its own natural painkillers. * Increase personal satisfaction.
Want to Make Your Life Easier? Learn to Laugh More! — NewsBlaze (press release) — Folsom,CA,USA Researchers at Loma Linda University's Schools of Medicine and Public Health tout the health benefits of laughter. They've discovered that laughter...
Bringing laughter 'just for the health of it' — Albany Times Union - Albany,NY,USA — Before she retired from her post as a planner at the state Department of Health more than two years ago, Urell attended a lunch-hour Employee Assistance..
'Fake' news appeals — Winnipeg Sun – Canada — Laughter may indeed be the greatest draw of fake news. The sharp humour of both shows provide much needed comic relief for a generation growing up in...
No joke! Wisecracks benefit workplace — MSNBC - USA — Now intense research finds light humor at work is a good thing. In their study, "The Case for Developing New Research on Humor and Culture in Organizations...
Watching Funny Shows Helps Children Tolerate Pain Longer — eMaxHealth.com - Hickory,NC,USA — Laughter has long been viewed as good medicine, and although there are many programs that bring humor into pediatric hospitals, little research has been..
What Men and Women Really Want in a Partner — Broadside - Fairfax,VA,USA — Humor has been proven to relieve stress and less stress means less health problems. Men and women both find maturity to be attractive in a prospective...
Integrated medicines — Myrtle Beach Sun News - Myrtle Beach,SC,USA — "Humor is important," she said. "Anything we can do for ourselves that frees us from our worries is important. Prayer is another thing that helps some of...
Using mirth as a motivator — The Press - Waipara,New Zealand — ... laughter is the best medicine _ Rogers cites research which has found humour to have a beneficial effect on employee health as well as helping reduce...
Be positive — Malaysia Star – Malaysia — Since laughter is a good medicine, don't forget to have a good laugh. There are many funny things, humorous people and hilarious occurrences all around us.
Humor Solidifies Office Bonds — Entrepreneur – USA — For more detailed information on his findings, you can view Robert's analysis, "The Case for Developing New Research on Humor and Culture in Organizations...
Laughter the best medicine for cystic fibrosis fundraiser — The Journal News / Lohud.com - Westchester,NY,USA — By AMAN ALI WHITE PLAINS - When Shari DiPaola began planning a fundraiser for cystic fibrosis research, she realized laughter is the best medicine.
Office humor might lift bottom line, study says — Columbia Daily Tribune - Columbia,MO,USA — Professor Chris Robert and doctoral student Wan Yan recently published a study that evaluates existing research on the ways humor affects employees...
Five Ways to Get Serious About Laughter in the Workplace — RisMedia.com (press release) - Norwalk,CT,USA — During a briefing of a company's new health plan, the male facilitator joked that mammograms would now be conducted at Hooters.
Thousands of words a day add up in developing a child's language ... — Orange County Register - Costa Mesa,CA,USA — Here's her advice: • Fill each waking hour with words, stories, songs and laughter. Encourage babies to join the "language dance" and take turns making...
Laughing can benefit health — Dodge City Daily Globe - Dodge City,KS,USA — "Humor is healing," said Bob Jenkins, wearing a two-foot high Dr. Seuss hat and distributing red fake noses. "Laughter has few side effects and is very...
Humor in the workplace: How to get serious about laughter — Reliable Plant Magazine - Tulsa,OK,USA — During a briefing of a company's new health plan, the male facilitator joked that mammograms would now be conducted at Hooters. The men laughed.
Laughter good medicine in nursing home — Leamington Post - Ontario, Canada — The Fools for Health program operates under the notion that "laughter is the best medicine" and the proven facts that there are physiological and...
Dr Phil's rude health for Scotland — Scotsman - United Kingdom — My theory on why comedians get depressed is that most humour, particularly satire, accentuates the negative. If you obsess about finding a negative slant on...
Sell them with humor — DOTmed.com (press release) - New York,NY,USA — ... is why radio and television commercials now use humor so often," says paul mcghee, phd and pioneer in humor research. mr. mcghee also states, "in sales,...
Lecture teaches people how to ease holiday stress — Lancaster Eagle Gazette - Lancaster,OH,USA — About 30 people attended "Stress Management Through Humor," taught this month by Becky devoss, a registered nurse and the manager of the Quality Outcomes...
Googling, happiness keys to longevity — Jacksonville Patriot - Jacksonville,AR,USA — According to Lipschitz, good health is only part of the equation for longevity. "Love and laughter is the other part," he said. "Laughter is a healing...
Dr. mona knows... how to handle family holiday dysfunction — Huffington Post - New York,NY,USA — humor! if we accept that every family including our own is dysfunctional and that we need to protect ourselves by lowering expectations and having set roles...
It's a laugh hanging with the giggling guru — Edmonton Journal - Edmonton,Alberta,Canada — ... about laughter being the best medicine, is proving out in modern research. hall says recent studies reveal laughter strengthens the body's immune...
LOL (Lessons on Life) Rx for Laughter — The Paper - Galesburg,IL,USA — William Fry, professor emeritus at Stanford University and pioneer in laughter research says, "Muscles are activated, heart rate is increased...
FAMILY FAITH: An homage to deep laughter — Burbank Leader - CA, United States — Laughter brings health to our hearts, our bones and our emotional, mental and physical states. Find the time to smile and laugh.
Laughing Club giggles to relieve stress — Red and Black - Athens,GA,USA — " Laughter is an amazing way to feel better and lower blood pressure," said Gloria Varley, the "stress guru" at the University Health Center...
The World of HUMOR
HUMOR IN THE NEWS: RELATED ARTICLE
Mortar's Ad Campaign for St. Mary's Medical Center is No Joke — There are a million-and-one doctor jokes, yet you almost never see humor in healthcare advertising. Unless you're lucky enough to live near St. Mary's Medical Center.
Stage mother coaches seniors to bring out their inner improv — San Diego Union Tribune - United States — "It's true therapy," she said. "People who are straight-laced come out of their shell. They'll get up on the stage for the first time and won't get off...
Want a Promotion? Look the Part — California Job Journal - Sacramento,CA,USA — His research found that there'sa growing importance of humor in diverse workplaces. "Humor is difficult in cross-cultural situations," Robert adds.
Art & Commerce: Emotional Intelligence — Adweek - New York,NY,USA — A sense of control over your own pleasure, independence, adventure and humor. At the same time, all the emotional benefits have been clearly linked to a...
Happy Countries, Committed Workers — Forbes - NY,USA — Now, research by the Cass Business School in the City of London has identified a link between levels of national "happiness"--and what researchers describe...
Cultivate attidue of gratitude...it's good for you! — Atlanta Journal Constitution - GA, USA — Remember the power of laughter. "The first thing many people are grateful for is that they can laugh. We laugh about what could be very serious to others...
Help keep safe from miseries of winter — Scotsman - United Kingdom — According to mental health charity Mind, nearly half of Britons admit that winter gets them down. But with jobs to keep, mortgages to pay and social lives...
The key to happiness — Canada.com - Hamilton,Ontario,Canada — That's what the latest scientific research suggests, according to John Helliwell, professor emeritus of economics at UBC. According to the...
Measuring happiness and satisfaction — The New Nation - Bangladesh — While happiness and hypertension are linked, more research remains needed on how such connections may operate. In Is Well-being U-Shaped over the Life Cycle...
The Red Nose Insitute — Navy Compass - San Diego,CA,USA —... isn't addressed quite as much-their mental health! After all, laughter is the best medicine and silliness is good for everyone-even those in harm's way...
Path to true happiness — News 14 Carolina - Raleigh,NC,USA — "Beautiful, great sense of humor, grounded, intelligent," Alcone said. These two found the number one thing that makes people happy -- a good relationship.
It's all in the mind — The Press - Waipara,New Zealand — Neuroleadership refers to a blend of certain findings from neuroscience with a set of leadership practices and principles designed to encourage more...
Get happy! — Sydney Morning Herald - Sydney,New South Wales,Australia — Scientific research is starting to back up this idea. Rather than happiness being something we earn through circumstances, it seems we can work at it in the...
This Christmas, why don't you turn off your television and do ... — Worcester News - Worcester News, UK — "Families who play together, laugh together. And laughter brings people together. The best gift you can give is to show that you actually want to spend time...
The History of Alternative Medicine — American Chronicle - Beverly Hills,CA,USA — Massage, aromatherapy, acupuncture, herbal, humor therapy, meditation, and the list can go on and on. The only thing is, that some of these treatments have...
Seasonal Jokes to Warm Up Your innards (Yes, they’re terrible…that’s what makes ‘em so good)
What happened when the snowgirl fell
out with the snowboy ?
She gave him the cold shoulder !
What do snowmen wear on their heads
?
Ice caps !
What do snowmen eat for lunch ?
Icebergers !
Where do snowmen go to dance ?
Snowballs !
How do snowmen travel around ?
By iceicle !
What sort of ball doesn't bounce ?
A snowball !
How do you know when there is a
snowman in your bed ?
You wake up wet !
What do you get if cross a snowman
and a shark ?
Frost bite !
How do you call an Eskimo cow ?
An Eskimoo !
FUN FACTS
The average American takes
six months to pay off holiday credit-card bills.
Pogonophobia: the fear of beards.
There are currently 78 people named S. Claus living in the U.S. -- and one Kriss Kringle.
December is the most popular month for nose jobs.
Weight of Santa's sleigh loaded with one Beanie Baby for every kid on earth: 333,333 tons.
Number of reindeer required to pull a 333,333-ton sleigh: 214,206 -- plus Rudolph.
Average wage of a mall Santa: $11 an hour. With real beard: $20.
To deliver his gifts in one night, Santa would have to make 822.6 visits per second, sleighing at 3,000 times the speed of sound. At that speed, Santa and his reindeer would burst into flame instantaneously.
