Download or read book Humor and Life Stress written by Herbert M. Lefcourt and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2012-12-06 with total page 150 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This monograph reflects a culmination of influences. Over a decade ago, a graduate student at the University of Waterloo, Dr. Carl Sordoni, had worked with one of the present authors (H.L.) to develope a dissertation concerned with humor. At that time, the literature on humor was scanty. There was much that had been written by philosophers and scholars in literature. But in psychology, especially empirical research in psychology, there was not an overwhelming literature to give substance to the belief that humor was an important element in human affairs. Memories of that dissertation are fond. The findings were disappoint ing, but the execution of the research provided us with much hilarity. Though the dissertation research did not pan out as we had hoped, we had begun to look for the influence of humor in other investigations that we were conducting. Two published studies from that era are described in this book, one of which grew as an off-shoot of a dissertation by Dr. Paul Antrobus. In these studies not only did we find evidence that humor could be predicted and understood within particular contexts, but again we found enjoyment in doing the studies.

Download or read book Humor as Survival Training for a Stressed Out World written by Paul McGhee and published by Author House. This book was released on 2010-07-14 with total page 178 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The evidence is now in! Humor and laughter are good medicine. The companion to this book, Humor: The Lighter Path to Resilience and Health (2010, also published by AuthorHouse) discusses the exciting new research supporting the long-held claim that laughter is the best medicine. Humor as Survival Training for a Stressed-Out Worldshows how to get these benefits of humor into your own life. It contains the first-ever humor skills training program that has evidence from multiple countries documenting its effectiveness in boosting your sense of humor and learning to use humor to cope with the stress in your life. No other program for improving your sense of humor can make this claim. The basic idea is to build key foundation humor skills on your good dayswhen youre in a good mood. While strengthening one habit/skill at a time, you dont extend these skills to daily stressors until the habits are well developed (otherwise, your sense of humor abandons you when youre under stress). The 7 Humor Habit Program first builds the habit of becoming a more playful person in general (humor is a form of mental play), and then focuses onverbal humor skills, finding humor in everyday life, laughing at yourself and other key humor skills. Studies in the USA, Switzerland, Australia and Germany have confirmed the effectiveness of this program in boosting your sense of humor. Evidence also shows that it improves your daily mood, boosts optimism and improves your ability to cope with stress. There is even evidence that the 7 Humor Habits Program is an effective tool in reducing clinical depression and anxiety. It has been shown to be effective for all ages, from college students to seniors in their eighties. So its never too late to improve your own sense of humor.

Download or read book Humor written by Herbert M. Lefcourt and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2012-12-06 with total page 226 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In his earlier work the author has studied stress and the personality characteristics that protect us from its effects on health and well-being. In this new book he places humor firmly within the literatures of coping processes, the moderation of stressful experiences, and health by showing how humor can help create and encourage feelings of community, closeness, and control. Lefcourt blends empirical research with anecdotal reports in this thoughtful volume.

Download or read book RELAX You May Only Have a Few Minutes Left written by Loretta Laroche and published by Hay House, Inc. This book was released on 2008-02-01 with total page 242 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The best-selling author of Life Is Short—Wear Your Party Pants Loretta LaRoche has been called "the Erma Bombeck of stress reduction"—and in the helpful and hilarious pages of this entertaining book, her enormous talent for finding the funny detail to defuse even the most difficult situation has never been sharper. Relax—You May Only Have a Few Minutes Left is filled with practical exercises, hilarious anecdotes, and specific advice for coming to terms with today’s ever-increasing stress levels—it’s a remedy for anxiety and a prescription for laughter. In sections such as "If You Don’t Have to Suffer—Don’t Practice," "My Mother the CEO," and "I’m Not Afraid of Heights, Just Widths," Loretta dismantles our American predilection for taking ourselves too seriously and shows us how to live longer, happier lives using the healing power of the absurd.

Download or read book Humor s Hidden Power written by Nichole Force and published by . This book was released on 2011-05-03 with total page 152 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: It is often said that "laughter is the best medicine," but this aphorism fails to fully express the power inherent in humor. HUMOR'S HIDDEN POWER reveals how humor has empowered people to overcome overwhelming circumstances throughout history, how laughter changes brain chemistry and functioning, how the genders use humor differently, and the ways in which comedians have used humor to heal themselves and others through the ages (from court jesters to Stephen Colbert). It consolidates and clarifies much of what has already been written, reveals what has not yet been reported in the fields of neuroscience and humor studies, and provides recommendations for the targeted use of humor to combat the most common sources of suffering. "An intensely engaging and fascinating examination of the vital role humor plays in health and happiness." ~Joe Dea, Emmy Award-Winning Director "HUMOR'S HIDDEN POWER is a significant contribution to the existing literature on the healthful benefits of humor. Backing her claims with solid scientific research, Nichole Force makes a serious case that laughter really is the best medicine." ~Dr. Michael Pariser, Psy.D. Psychologist and Psychoanalyst, Los Angeles, CA "HUMOR'S HIDDEN POWER is an informative, intriguing and thoroughly enlightening book. A must-read for all who love humor, and those who have yet to discover its joys and rewards." ~Victor Schulte, Los Angeles Deputy City Attorney [Cover photo by Abdulhamid Al Fadhly]

Download or read book Humor and Laughter written by Hugh Foot and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2017-07-05 with total page 348 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Humor and laughter play a vital part in our everyday social encounters. This book is concerned with the exploration of the psychology of humor and laughter by the foremost professional researchers in these areas. It examines the major theoretical perspectives underlying current approaches and it draws together for the first time the main empirical work done over the course of this century. Peter Berks brings this story up to the moment.The two major parts of the book deal with perception of and responses to humor, and its uses in society at large. The chapters themselves range from cognitive aspects of humor development, through the functions of humor and laughter in social interaction, to the use of humor by comedians and by the mass media. One of the general features of the volume is the concern with the variety of techniques and research methods which are used in studies aimed at understanding our responsiveness to humor and the contexts in which we create it.Humor and Laughter contains chapters by psychologists with longstanding research interests in humor and laughter, including Thomas R. Shultz, Mary K. Rothbart, Goran Nerhardt, Michael Godkewitsch, Walter E. O'Connell, and Harvey Mindess. Humor and Laughter presents wide-ranging theoretical, methodological, and empirical perspectives on an important area of human behavior and social interaction. This book should interest many behavioral scientists and practitioners, particularly those in social and clinical psychology, psychiatry, child psychology and education, sociology, and related disciplines.

Download or read book Humor Seriously written by Jennifer Aaker and published by Crown Currency. This book was released on 2021-02-02 with total page 274 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: WALL STREET JOURNAL, LOS ANGELES TIMES, AND USA TODAY BESTSELLER • Anyone—even you!—can learn how to harness the power of humor in business (and life), based on the popular class at Stanford’s Graduate School of Business. Don’t miss the authors’ TED Talk, “Why great leaders take humor seriously,” online now. “The ultimate guide to using the magical power of funny as a tool for leadership and a force for good.”—Daniel H. Pink, #1 New York Times bestselling author of When and Drive We are living through a period of unprecedented uncertainty and upheaval in both our personal and professional lives. So it should come as a surprise to exactly no one that trust, human connection, and mental well-being are all on the decline. This may seem like no laughing matter. Yet, the research shows that humor and laughter are among the most valuable tools we have at our disposal for strengthening bonds and relationships, diffusing stress and tension, boosting resilience, and performing when the stakes are high. That’s why Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas teach the popular course Humor: Serious Business at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, where they help some of the world’s most hard-driving, blazer-wearing business minds infuse more humor and levity into their work and lives. In Humor, Seriously, they draw on findings by behavioral scientists, world-class comedians, and inspiring business leaders to reveal how humor works and—more important—how you can use more of it, better. Aaker and Bagdonas unpack the theory and application of humor: what makes something funny, how to mine your life for material, and simple ways to identify and leverage your unique humor style. They show how to use humor to rebuild vital connections; appear more confident, competent, and authentic at work; and foster cultures where levity and creativity can thrive. President Dwight David Eisenhower once said, “A sense of humor is part of the art of leadership, of getting along with people, of getting things done.” If Dwight David Eisenhower, the second least naturally funny president (after Franklin Pierce), thought humor was necessary to win wars, build highways, and warn against the military-industrial complex, then you might consider learning it too.

Download or read book What s So Funny about Stress written by Karyn Buxman and published by . This book was released on 2018-11-11 with total page 139 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Living a healthy life with serious stress can be tough. We all need a full toolbox of resources to help you navigate the many challenges and changes that come with this crazy thing called life. Humor is a powerful tool in that toolbox, but it's not the only tool. Although we believe laughter is often the best medicine, humor isn't the end-all-be-all of treatments. No responsible healthcare professional would try to convince you otherwise. What the pros will tell you is that humor has a powerful role to play in your self-care routine. It is a great tool to complement and enhance all of the other efforts you're already making. All of those positive investments you make around how you eat, how you move and how you sleep actually work better and are easier to stick to when you use a solid dose of healthy humor. When you start using humor proactively as part of your self-care, stress-mastery routine, you're going to find that humor helps you in a lot of other areas of your life. That's because humor has far-reaching physiological, psychological and social benefits. Humor makes getting along with other people much easier. It's also a social lubricant--it helps strengthen relationships and build rapport; and the more you use humor, the easier it becomes! Readers should be aware that references are provided for informational purposes only, and that this book should not be used as a floatation device. Readers should know that medical and neurological fields evolve and change, and that a spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down. Authors Heidi Hanna and Karyn Buxman are global speakers, trainers, researchers and consultants. And when they're not busy trying to make the world a happier and healthier place, they're also dedicated Humor Buddies determined to spread more love and laughter to all they meet. You can learn more about them and the Beyond Funny Project at www.beyondfunny.org.

Download or read book Humor 101 written by Mitch Earleywine, PhD and published by Springer Publishing Company. This book was released on 2010-12-15 with total page 266 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Humor is complex, and the author, Mitch Earleywine, does an exceptional job of covering the big bases of humor from a research perspective in a small space with a readable content. When I first picked up this book and began reading it, I was looking for depth. What I found was an overview and at the same time a very exciting way to provide an entrÈe into psychology-a vehicle for students to grab hold of topics central to psychology but studiedand researched in terms of modern themes, and particularly humor." --PsycCRITIQUES "I've just finished reading Humor 101 with great interest and admiration. The book combines psychological research and practicality beautifully and humorously." -- Bob Mankoff Cartoon Editor, The New Yorker Magazine "In lucid, cheerful prose, Earleywine offers up the impossible: an explanation of humor that is as thoughtful, fascinating, and entertaining as humor itself." Elisa Albert Author of ,The Book of Dahliaand How This Night is Different "Dr. Earleywine's witty insight on this topic will make you funny, happy, and wise. Mitch has that rare ability to clearly explain something that is mysterious as it is magical: the power of laughter. Read this book and laugh while you learn." Brett Siddell Sirius/XM Satellite Radio Personality "Dr. Earleywine has written the perfect guide to understanding humor. No one else has the unique combination of witty stage time, outstanding teaching expertise, and impressive scientific background. You'll love this book." Derrick Jackson Winner, Ultimate Laff-Down What makes something funny? How does humor impact health and psychological well-being? How can you incorporate humor into everyday life? A concise, reader-friendly introduction to an important but often underappreciated topic in modern psychology, Humor 101 explains the role of comedy, jokes, and wit in the sciences and discusses why they are so important to understand. Psychology professor Dr. Mitch Earleywine draws from his personal experiences in stand-up comedy to focus on how humor can regulate emotion, reduce anxiety and defuse tense situations, expose pretensions, build personal relationships, and much more. He irreverently debunks the pseudoscience on the topic of humor and leaves readers not only funnier, but better informed. The Psych 101 Series Short, reader-friendly introductions to cutting-edge topics in psychology. With key concepts, controversial topics, and fascinating accounts of up-to-the-minute research, The Psych 101 Series is a valuable resource for all students of psychology and anyone interested in the field.

Download or read book Mind Full written by Dermot Whelan and published by Gill & Macmillan Ltd. This book was released on 2021-04-16 with total page 215 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In 2007, comedian and broadcaster Dermot Whelan arrived at a comedy festival in an ambulance after having a panic attack en route. Realising this was not a sustainable way to travel to future gigs, he decided to become a meditation teacher and learn how to de-stress without annoying the emergency services. Telling Dermot's own story and offering useful everyday tips and techniques, Mind Full is his funny and accessible guide to meditation. If you feel like you've lost touch with the happier version of yourself and would like to: SLEEP BETTER REDUCE STRESS, ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION HAVE MORE PATIENCE WITH THE PEOPLE YOU LOVE FEEL LESS 'MEH' ENJOY LIFE MORE ... this book is for you. You'll discover that learning to meditate doesn't require you to blow up your life and move to Nepal, but it does help you make very small changes that make a long-lasting difference. With exclusive access to Dermot's guided meditations, Mind Full will help you restore your sense of fulfilment, happiness and true contentment. 'Fixed whatever block I had harboured towards the concept of meditation ... I had convinced myself that I wasn't one of those people. Now I realise there is no prerequisite character type. It's just for ... people. A lovely, funny, honest book.' Cillian Murphy, From The Foreword

Download or read book The Sense of Humor written by Willibald Ruch and published by Walter de Gruyter. This book was released on 2010-12-14 with total page 509 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book The Psychology of Humor written by Rod A. Martin and published by Academic Press. This book was released on 2018-07-14 with total page 550 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Most of us laugh at something funny multiple times during a typical day. Humor serves multiple purposes, and although there is a sizable and expanding research literature on the subject, the research is spread in a variety of disciplines. The Psychology of Humor, 2e reviews the literature, integrating research from across subdisciplines in psychology, as well as related fields such as anthropology, biology, computer science, linguistics, sociology, and more. This book begins by defining humor and presenting theories of humor. Later chapters cover cognitive processes involved in humor and the effects of humor on cognition. Individual differences in personality and humor are identified as well as the physiology of humor, the social functions of humor, and how humor develops and changes over the lifespan. This book concludes noting the association of humor with physical and mental health, and outlines applications of humor use in psychotherapy, education, and the workplace. In addition to being fully updated with recent research, the second edition includes a variety of new materials. More graphs, tables, and figures now illustrate concepts, processes, and theories. It provides new brief interviews with prominent humor scholars via text boxes. The end of each chapter now includes a list of key concepts, critical thinking questions, and a list of resources for further reading. Covers research on humor and laughter in every area of psychology Integrates research findings into a coherent conceptual framework Includes brain imaging studies, evolutionary models, and animal research Integrates related information from sociology, linguistics, neuroscience, and anthropology Explores applications of humor in psychotherapy, education, and the workplace Provides new research, plus key concepts and chapter summaries

Download or read book Humour Comedy and Laughter written by Lidia Dina Sciama and published by Berghahn Books. This book was released on 2016-04-01 with total page 220 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Anthropological writings on humor are not very numerous or extensive, but they do contain a great deal of insight into the diverse mental and social processes that underlie joking and laughter. On the basis of a wide range of ethnographic and textual materials, the chapters examine the cognitive, social, and moral aspects of humor and its potential to bring about a sense of amity and mutual understanding, even among different and possibly hostile people. Unfortunately, though, cartoons, jokes, and parodies can cause irremediable distress and offence. Nevertheless, contributors’ cross-cultural evidence confirms that the positive aspects of humor far outweigh the danger of deepening divisions and fueling hostilities

Download or read book It s Kind of a Funny Story written by Ned Vizzini and published by Disney Electronic Content. This book was released on 2010-09-25 with total page 452 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Like many ambitious New York City teenagers, Craig Gilner sees entry into Manhattan's Executive Pre-Professional High School as the ticket to his future. Determined to succeed at life—which means getting into the right high school to get into the right college to get the right job—Craig studies night and day to ace the entrance exam, and does. That's when things start to get crazy. At his new school, Craig realizes that he isn't brilliant compared to the other kids; he's just average, and maybe not even that. He soon sees his once-perfect future crumbling away.

Download or read book Humor and Psychotherapy written by Thomas L. Kuhlman and published by Jason Aronson Incorporated. This book was released on 1994 with total page 129 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: To find more information about Rowman and Littlefield titles, please visit www.rowmanlittlefield.com.

Download or read book Humor the Lighter Path to Resilience and Health written by Paul McGhee PhD and published by Author House. This book was released on 2010-01-21 with total page 400 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: We’ve all heard the phrase, “Laughter is the best medicine.” Readers Digest has been telling us this for years, but until recently there was no real evidence to back up the claim. This book discusses the exciting findings scientists have obtained over the past 25 years for how your sense of humor supports good physical and mental health. A separate chapter discusses humor and the brain. The first studies of humor and health demonstrated humor’s ability to strengthen the immune system, reduce pain and reduce levels of stress hormones circulating in the body. These general health-promoting benefits led researchers to study the impact of humor and laughter on specific diseases. This exciting new work has now shown health benefits of humor in connection with coronary heart disease, asthma, COPD, arthritis, certain allergies and diabetes. The two cerebral hemispheres of the brain are shown to play different roles in our understanding and enjoyment of humor. Also, specific dopamine-based pleasure centers in the brain have now been identified which account for the good feeling that results from humor and a good belly laugh. The key to understanding humor’s contribution to health and wellness is its ability to both build more positive emotion into your life and reduce feelings of anger, anxiety and depression. Humor helps provide the emotional resilience needed to meet the challenges presented by steadily increasing stress in our personal and work lives. It is a powerful tool for coping with any form of life stress, and a means of sustaining a positive, optimistic attitude toward life. And it’s never too late to improve your sense of humor. The companion to this book, Humor as Survival Training for a Stressed-Out World (also published by AuthorHouse), presents a hands-on program for learning to use humor to cope.

Download or read book The Humor Habit written by Paul Osincup and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2024-04-17 with total page 262 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Discover and embrace the untapped power of your sense of humor In The Humor Habit: Rewire Your Brain to Stress Less, Laugh More, and Achieve More’er, veteran speaker, corporate trainer, and comedian Paul Osincup delivers a hilarious and effective new take on how to make yourself and your team more productive and resilient by focusing on the funny side of work and life. In the book, you’ll learn why humor isn’t an in-born quality you’re either born with or without. Instead, it’s a habit you can develop over time. You’ll find 100 ways to have more fun at work, methods to improve your resilience in dealing with adversity, and an explanation of the author’s “LAFTER” model that shows you how to leverage levity at work. You’ll also discover: The latest insights from contemporary positive psychology combined with timeless comedic techniques that enhance your wellbeing Strategies to help you battle “chronic seriousness,” a condition affecting virtually every professional, tradesperson, consultant, employee, manager, and business leader in the working world Ways to boost your team members’ brainpower and productivity using humor Perfect for managers, executives, team leads, directors, and other business leaders, The Humor Habit is the practical, hands-on guide to improved productivity that’s actually fun to read—and even more fun to implement.