Using Humor To Eliminate Stress

Posted by Karyn Buxman

July 31, 2009

by Karyn Buxman

“Stressed? Why would I be stressed?” Chyna Robinson snapped, stethoscope flung round her neck and scrubs fluttering as she strode, full speed ahead, down the hallway. “We’ve just had two codes, I’ve got an admit with absolutely no paperwork, and I’m one nurse short here. The sitter who was supposed to be watching our suicidal patient fell asleep –we could hear her snoring in the hall! Why would I be stressed?” Chyna’s story is not unique: health care providers are continually being asked to do more — larger patient loads, more intensive treatment — with less resources. The result: stratospheric stress levels.

This stress must be addressed. Experts recommend a number of strategies to combat the many effects of workplace stress and tension. Exercise is a favorite recommendation, as physical activity improves both the body and the mind. Meditation helps many achieve inner peace. Embracing creativity provides a safe and appropriate outlet for intense stress. And finally, surprisingly, the use of humor, laughter, and play can minimize the impact of workplace stress.

“You’ve got to laugh. If you don’t laugh, you’re going to cry, and that doesn’t help anyone.” So much of what a nurse faces is traumatic on the face of it: you’re dealing with people who are sick, dying, injured, hurting and scared. This has an effect on the medical professionals: they often resort to humor, particularly dark humor. The closer we are to tragedy and death, the darker our humor becomes. This is an almost universal response: researchers have documented dark humor use not just among health professionals but in other high-stress, high-trauma situations. Law enforcement and military personnel are renowned for their sick humor, as are firefighters and (perhaps not so strangely!) high school teachers.

Does using humor detract from professionalism? Surprisingly, no. Cracking a laugh may actually enhance one’s ability to perform well in the workplace. Laughter helps eliminate stress and tension from the body, and helps keep even the most stressful situation in perspective. The regular use of humor also encourages quick thinking and mental agility: two traits professionals need to thrive in high-stress environments.

Using humor benefits not only the individual laughing, but those people surrounding them. Loretta LaRoche recently said, in an interview in The Journal of Nursing Jocularity, that a negative attitude is one of the worst things you can bring to the workplace. ” Think about the impact this has in the workplace. When we work with other people, as most nurses do, theres a tendency to hook up and share the things that arent working. This sharing actually increases the stress ” I call this practice suffering!”

Suffering’s no fun. Opting to embrace humor in the workplace has many benefits: humor is a no to low cost way to alleviate stress — an attractive factor in tight economic times. It costs nothing to send a funny joke to colleagues via email (taking care not to become a spammer!) nor to share the sillier side of your personality. Consider collecting cartoons to post in your cubicle, using funny mugs or glassware such as Ryanne did, or donning a silly pin. These small touches can have a big impact! You’ll be reducing your own stress and the stress of everyone around you!

About the Author:

The Journal of Nursing Jocularity is the #1 source of laugh out loud entertainment for hard working, stressed out nurses on the web! Check out the jokes, funny stories, and Nurse Marge in Charge!

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