Laughter and invisible disabilities. Is that even possible? Consider the pain we experience on a daily level. Reflect on our unique problems. So, how can we remedy these difficulties with humor and laughter?
Take a lesson from the children. They know how to have fun. This laughing little boy set his snow dish on the couch, grabbed some stuffed toys, and climbed up on the dish. He’s certainly having fun!
Such a simple idea, but it sure made him happy. So, what about you and me? What can we do to elicit laughter – or even a smile?
“But it [our illness] can be a laughing matter. Pain, suffering, isolation, stress, depression, financial hardships – the problems can seem never ending. And to survive you need all the possible tools in your tool belt that you can find. One tool that is frequently overlooked is humor.”
IDA Advisory Board Member and Neurohumorist expert, Karyn Buxman, RN, MSN
Have you ever read Norman Cousins’ book, Anatomy of an Illness? Published in 1981, it remains a classic on the power of laughter in combating illness. One reviewer on goodreads.com says Cousins “shares how we should take charge of our own health.” The Invisible Disabilities Association believes humor and laughter to be critical in living our lives of disabilities.
“Science is affirming what we’ve suspected all along – laughter is good medicine. The benefits for you are so numerous that you are not going to want to wait for humor to happen by chance. You’ll want to be proactive and experience humor by choice. And the good news is, you don’t have to be funny. You just have to see funny,”
Karyn Buxman
There is an organization called the Association of Applied and Therapeutic Humor!
Even the Bible speaks of humor in Proverbs 15:15. “All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.”
So, do I have a definitive formula for how to laugh amid our invisible disabilities? No, not really. I do laugh a lot, often because of my husband’s humor. However, I do have a few ideas.
First, let’s look at benefits of this medicine.
Benefits
- Positive physical changes.
- Overall sense of well-being.
- Increase in pain tolerance.
- Release of the neurotransmitter substance endorphins.
- Stress reliever.
Next, we’ll consider some activities that might be a stimulus for laughter. Hopefully, you can add your own ideas, personalizing this list.
Activities
- Draw comics.
- Watch funny movies.
- Find slapstick humor.
- Read joke books.
- Watch the antics of your or your friends’ kids or grandkids.
- Like the little boy above, invent a funny activity.
I’ll leave you with this
I would never tell you to pretend you’re not miserable and suffering when you are in the midst of pain. But, in IDA’s words, “Yet when we can find moments to laugh at our own pain and misery, it somehow loosens its powerful hold over us.”
If you’re having trouble getting started with laughter, try charting what makes you laugh and when. Soon, you may spot a pattern, and then it will come naturally.
So, come laugh with me!
What makes you laugh?
Investigate Further
Check out The Invisible Disabilities Association’s article on humor and learn more about Karyn Buxman.
Discover what the Association of Applied and Therapeutic Humor is all about.
Here’s a link to the 20th anniversary condition of Norman Cousins’ book.
See our “Laugh with Me.”
Great minds think alike! I have written many blog posts about the power of humor and laughter. When my son was home sick so much in middle school and high school, he and I used to watch all the old sitcoms on TVland – Munsters, Brady Bunch, Green Acres, etc. But our favorite was I Love Lucy – nothing could get us laughing better than that! At 28, he still says, “Laughter is the best medicine!” Now, he and I like to laugh together over Colbert, Trevor Noah, and Bob’s Burgers! I also love books that can make me laugh out loud.
Great post and a great reminder!
Sue
My Book: Finding a New Normal: Living Your Best Life with Chronic Illness
Shortly after I wrote this, I had my worst week in many years. Sure had to remember what I wrote here! I love your ideas and that your son still remembers those times.
Absolutely agree! I see humour with chronic illness as a two-part thing – being able to laugh at yourself and your situation to lighten the load a little (especially if embarrassment or shame are issues), and finding reasons to laugh in your day to day.
I personally like online things for quick chuckles – funny cat videos, funny pictures, one-liner jokes. Me and my mum also watch a funny TV series (Gogglebox) where we always laugh, and the silly things we say to each other (and the bizarre things my mum says sometimes!) mean we often find reasons to chuckle.
This is why I do “Funnies” posts every now and then on my blog because laughter is a brilliant medicine and an extra tool in the toolbox for living with chronic conditions. Love the post and the reminder to make sure laughter is a more regular occurrence in our lives!
Caz xx
This week was horrendous for me. I need to re-read what I wrote. My husband helped, with his funny sayings.
A little more about Norman Cousins. He used laughter when nothing else could help him restore his immune system to recover from ankylosing spondylitis, a breakdown of collagen that caused him constant pain.
Thanks for updating my info. I know people with that problem.