The Effects Of Humor In Nursing

One definition of humor is "that which lends itself to laughing, smiling or amusement" (Davis-Evans, 2013). The effects of humor at the cellular level and on the immune system report positive effects on physical and mental health (Davis-Evans, 2013). Humor in nursing is about nurses relating to patients. There 's a bond created between people that laugh together, a bond when one makes another smile. Research suggests that laughter increases pain tolerance; improves respiration and breathing; improves mental functioning, including alertness, creativity a memory; and decreases muscle tension (Davis-Evans, 2013). These benefits can be short term and/or long term. Laughing can be compared to a mild workout, it increases circulation, decreases blood

This begins at the early stages in a nurses learning. To be comfortable with humor in nursing the student nurse must have a good grasp of the information they are learning. Nursing instructors can play a large part in the process, making their students relaxed in the setting along with livening up some of their course information. “The traditional classroom, particularly in nursing, often is stifling to students and teachers” (Story, Butts, 2010, p. 291). This stifling effect can be exacerbated with subjective defining characteristics of diagnoses such stress overload related to faulty heating/cooling system. Authentic and non-authoritative portrayal of the information initiated by teachers can help the students translate the styles of teaching/learning into their own nursing practices (Story, Butts, Fart, 2010). As the student passes through their AD nursing classes they are receptive to the teaching styles of their instructors. The instructor instituting humor, and allowing for instances of humor into their teaching by increasing eye contact, creating a casual environment, adopting a laugh-ready attitude, providing humorous materials. (Englert, 2010) The sources the educator may pick from can vary including: the internet (such as The Journal of Nursing Jocularity), books, videos, newspapers, or journals. Pets are also a source of amusement. Similar to what their students are

With a good understanding of the materials they learned and a realization of how the use of humor effected their learning experience the new nurses can then take on a role comparable to their teachers. The nurse can then look for material that may pertain to their specific healthcare setting, be responsible for creating their own comfortable environment, and remind themselves to greet each patient with a laugh-ready caring attitude. The nurse may understand the task of needing to alleviate anxiety in a patient, prone to anxiety attacks, prior to surgery, through a thorough assessment of the patients understanding of, and concerns about, the procedure. If not having a prior understanding of the patients anxiety, just initially creating an atmosphere of humor to establish relationship, relieve anxiety, release frustration, avoid painful feelings, or humor to facilitate learning. If achieved, the physiologic benefits of improved respiration and breathing, decreased muscle tension, amongst other effects show to have beneficial postoperative outcomes. This is important because post operative high anxiety, increased postoperative pain, increased analgesic requirements, and prolonged hospital stay are all correlated with preoperative anxiety (Davis-Evans,