In one of their publications , Bennett and Lengacher ( 2006 ) tried to carry out a survey in breast cancer patients ( 105 women of 59 years age ). They proved from the studies that Complementary Therapies ( which , rather than replace mainstream cancer treatment to cure the disease , control symptoms and improve well-being and quality of life ) also play a major role in uplifting the spirits of the ailing patients . Bennet and Lengacher proposed humor as an important factor for coping with cancer and cancer treatment . Laughter and a bit of humor lead to “ endorphins rushes ”, or a surge of chemical messengers or neurotransmitters in our brain cells that leave us de-stressed and happy .
Laughter and Learning : Do They Coexist ?
After going through various research articles and reading different magazines , I got a notion that learning incorporated with a bit of humor and fun can increase the memory of an individual ( or students ), and maximize their productivity . Researchers at Loma Linda University , San Diego , California , Gurinder Singh Bains et al . ( 2012 ) proved that the dangerous effects of impaired memory loss and learning ability of cortisol ( a stress hormone ) can be lowered when we adopt laughter and humor in our lives . They conducted a research by showing a humorous 20-minute video to two groups of elderly people : a healthy group and a group with diabetes . They also formed a group of people who didn ’ t watch the video , but completed the evaluation , to serve as a control . The groups were then assessed for their learning , memory , and sight recognition capacities after they completed the evaluation . Both the groups were measured for their cortisol levels or concentrations both before and after the experiment . The researchers found a significant decrease in levels of cortisol concentrations in both the groups who watched the video . The memory test scores of the healthy group improved dramatically while the diabetic group had decreased levels of cortisol . Both the groups were healthier , had improved memory functions .
40 | ZEALOUSNESS MAGAZINE | Winter / Spring 2017
For Teachers :
Keeping the above study in mind , laughter and humor can also lead to enhanced learning and memory retention capacity among students . You can clearly see through at the beginning of the article , with Mr . Jones using humor to make math lessons easier to grasp , and to keep the students engaged in learning . The students ( taught in humorous way ) interacted more with teachers . Hence , they are more likely to perform well on exams . In one of his books , Laughing Lessons ( 2000 ), Ron Burgess , a published author of children ’ s books , contends that students learn better when ideas are presented with humor . He says , “ Laughter and humor will hold kids ’ attention , thus helping them retain the information they ’ re learning . Humor also helps reduce tension ... in the kids and you . Laughter is a great stress reliever . It can make a school day seem shorter and your load lighter . It can help you cope with crisis , break monotony , and live longer .” ( Burgess , 2000 ). The point is to make the classroom a little more warm and inviting , which results in a class-wide attitude better suited to learning and more apt to be effective . According to Ronald A . Berk ( known as “ Humor Professor ”, http :// www . ronberk . com /), Professor Emeritus , Johns
Hopkins University , “ Humor ... opens up communication that ’ s not based on fear or intimidation . Instead , the communication is positive , constructive , and relaxed ; it continuously ebbs and flows all over the classroom ... A bonding rapport develops between you and your students that are founded on respect , trust , and fun .” ( Berk , 2002 ). He shares , “ When I enter the classroom , I want to change the entire atmosphere into one where everyone has fun with the material--even if the material is complex .” Educators and teachers should not consider teaching as a regular chore . Teachers who wish to experience using humor in the classrooms even though they are not funny , can keep these books handy : Professors are from Mars , Students are from Snickers ( Stylus Publishing , 2003 ) and Humor as an Instructional De-