Humor is very healing in many aspects of our lives and at FMK we believe that it is an essential part of the learning process.
According to recent studies, laughter produces endorphins which lessen pain, increases production of T-cells, interferon and immune proteins called globulins and even significantly lowers Cortisol levels and returns the body to a more relaxed state.
Comedy helps our psyche and well being, and many studies show that scientifically it does even more than that! Humor may be interjected in various phases of the instructional process. Humorous breaks during a lesson promote learning by allowing the brain a “breather” to process and integrate. Humor nurtures the trusted relationships needed for engaged learning.
Therefore, it makes sense to us to incorporate humor as part of the learning process. The benefits of humor indicate that laughing could help strengthen your immune system – meaning you’re less likely to have to take time off work or make insurance claims at Aviva.co.uk, Aviva.com or Blue Shield. Most importantly, the emotional benefits of laughter can be useful for anyone learning martial arts or self defense. Here at FMK, we pride ourselves on this unique approach to learning.
Laughter is a powerful antidote to stress, pain, and conflict. Nothing works faster or more dependably to bring your mind and body back into balance than a good laugh. Humor lightens your burdens, inspires hopes, connects you to others, and keeps you grounded, focused, and alert.
With so much power to heal and renew, the ability to laugh easily and frequently is a tremendous resource for surmounting problems, enhancing your relationships, and supporting both physical and emotional Health Studies have pinpointed 18 different kinds of smiles.
The most common is the smile of enjoyment
13 muscles are used to smile, but 47 are required for frowning. You have to smile nearly a quarter of a million times to make 1 wrinkle.
Laughter lowers the levels of Cortisol in the body. Cortisol suppresses the immune system.
Lowering these levels enhances the work of the immune system and may prevent disease.
You can stimulate your heart and lungs, elevate your blood pressure and improve breathing capacity by laughing.
For Parents:
Adding humor to your life will allow your child to grow into a fun and light-hearted person, one that will never know the meaning of ‘depression’. The end result might very well be that laughter will help everyone in your family live longer too!
As laughter, humor, and play become an integrated part of your life, your creativity will flourish and new discoveries for playing with friends, coworkers, acquaintances, and loved ones will occur to you daily.
Humor takes you to a higher place where you can view the world from a more relaxed, positive, creative, joyful, and balanced perspective.
In terms of exercise:
You can get the same benefits from laughing 100 times a day, as you can from 10 minutes of rowing.
Charles Darwin believed that one’s facial expression can actually influence one’s moods. Studies in bio-feedback confirm Darwin’s belief.
15 minutes of laughter equals the benefit of 2 hours sleep.
One good belly laugh burns off 3 1/2 calories.
Laughing for 15 seconds adds 2 days to your life span.
The ability to laugh, play, and have fun with others not only makes life more enjoyable–it also helps you solve problems, connect with others, and be more creative. People who incorporate humor and play into their daily lives find that it renews them and all of their relationships.
Life brings challenges that can either get the best of you or become playthings for your imagination. When you “become the problem” and take yourself too seriously, it can be hard to think outside the box and find new solutions. But when you play with the problem, you can often transform it into an opportunity for creative learning.
“What did the zero say to the eight?….. Nice belt!” – Old Karate Proverb
You can avoid many confrontations and resolve arguments and disagreements by communicating in a playful or humorous way. Humor can help you say things that might otherwise be difficult to express without creating a flap. However, it’s important that you laugh with the other person, not at them.
When humor and play are used to reduce tension and anger, reframe problems, and put the situation into perspective, the conflict can actually become an opportunity for greater connection and intimacy.
