Using humor to help the healing
By Mayo Clinic staffOriginal Article: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/humor-and-cancer/MY01549
- With Mayo Clinic nurse educator
Sheryl M. Ness, R.N.
read biographyclose windowBiography of
Sheryl M. Ness, R.N.
Sheryl M. Ness
Sheryl Ness, R.N., O.C.N., is a nurse educator for the Cancer Education Program at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. She helps inform patients, families and caregivers about services and resources to help them through the cancer journey.
She has a master's degree in nursing from Augsburg College. In addition, she is an assistant professor of oncology at the College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, and is certified as a specialist in oncology nursing. Sheryl has worked for more than 20 years at Mayo Clinic as an educator. She has a keen interest in the importance of the quality of life and concerns of people living with cancer.
Latest entries
- Difficult conversations about cancer can be empowering
June 15, 2013
- Quality of life issues key factor for cancer patients
June 8, 2013
- Anger and cancer — what to do with the difficult emotions
June 1, 2013
- Preventive mastectomy — a personal choice
May 25, 2013
- Share your story about living with cancer
May 18, 2013
Free
E-newsletter
Subscribe to Housecall
Our weekly general interest
e-newsletter keeps you up to date
on a wide variety of health topics.
Mayo Clinic Housecall
Stay up to date on the latest health information.
What you get
- Free weekly e-newsletter
- Mayo Clinic expertise
- Recipes, tools and other helpful information
- We do not share your e-mail address
Living with cancer blog
-
Oct. 23, 2010
Using humor to help the healing
By Sheryl M. Ness, R.N.
Humor can heal the soul, it's true.
Many of you writing on the blog are using humor to deal with the reality of cancer. It seems like it's worth talking about, because research has shown that humor and laughter can reduce stress, control pain, improve our immune system and promote healing.
When you laugh, it increases oxygen flow and circulation, lowers blood pressure and just makes you feel better. Think back to the last time you had a good laugh; how did you feel? Free from stress, happy, light-hearted and relaxed are a few feelings that come to mind. Laughter can give you a sense of release of emotions and can be a great distraction from a situation that is heavy and challenging.
Here's a list of ways to incorporate moments of humor into daily life. See what you think. And, please feel free to add to this list.
- Watch a funny movie and laugh out loud.
- Laugh with friends — go for coffee together, talk a walk, go window shopping.
- Take time to read the comic section of the paper every day.
- Play games such as Pictionary, Bingo, Charades, Bowling ... anything that puts you in a situation of humor and fun.
Having cancer isn't funny; it's a serious and life-changing event. However, it might be worth a try to incorporate a little humor into your daily life. If you're already doing this, please write in and tell your story. We would love to hear from you.
42 comments posted
Share on:
42 comments posted