English for the New Millennium

1. Laughter is the Best Medicine
-Dick Gregory
From www.essaylib.com/eassay,php
Presented by: Dammar Singh Saud

3. Introduction of the Writer
 Birth name: Richard Claxton Gregory ( Dick Gregory)
 Born: October 12, 1932 (age 84) St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
 Medium: Civil rights activist, stand-up comedy, film, books, critic
 Nationality: American
 Years active: 1954–present
 Genres: Satire, political satire, observational comedy
 Subject(s): American civil rights, politics, culture, African-American culture,
racism, race relations, vegetarianism, healthy diet
 Spouse: Lillian Smith (m. 1959)
 Notable works and roles: In Living Black and White, Nigger: An Autobiography
by Dick Gregory

4. Central Idea of the text
This essay is about the advantages and
disadvantages of laughter in our life. Definitely,
laughter is a healthier way of dealing with a
situation rather than crying. However, in certain
situations like in the time of one’s death, laughter
can be very distressful or it cannot solve our
problems.

5. Major points of the text
• Dick Gregory is the main character who thinks many advantages
of laughter though it has some disadvantages.
• It can be an effective cure but it can also be useless during
tragedies.
• He learns the power of jokes while growing up.
• Laughter is the source of hope and optimism.
• He can solve many difficulties from his life by the use of
laughter and wisdom.
• He uses his wit, and his humor to escape from hostile situation
or troublesome events.

6. Major points of the text
 He uses jokes instead of violence when people were yelling back at
him in the period of civil right movements.
 He uses laughter as a strong weapon during the distasteful and
uncomfortable moments.
 He realizes that laughter is not the right way of dealing with his
family’s economic problems.
 When he loses his son due to pneumonia he realizes that homor and
jokes will not bring his son back.

7. Quick Hacks to Bring More Laughter Into Your Life
 Make humor a priority by reading a funny book, watching a comedy, or listening
to your favorite comedian.
 Share laughter with friends. Spend more time with people who have fun.
 Practice laughter yoga.
 Remember that life is funny. The ability to laugh at yourself makes you attractive
to others and can help relieve your own stress. Focus on finding the laughable
moments in your day, and then tell a friend your funny story as a way to increase
the power of laughter by sharing.
 Know what isn’t funny. Laughing at the expense of others isn’t funny. Be
discerning about your humor by laughing with—not at—people.
 Your ability to laugh can be cultivated with practice so start by prioritizing fun.
Find occasion to be silly. Remember laughter, like smiling, is never depleted
when you share it.

8. Laughter is good for your health
 Laughter relaxes the whole body. A good, hearty laugh relieves physical tension and stress,
leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after.
 Laughter boosts the immune system. Laughter decreases stress hormones and increases
immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your resistance to disease.
 Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals.
Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain.
 Laughter protects the heart. Laughter improves the function of blood vessels and increases
blood flow, which can help protect you against a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems.
 Laughter burns calories. OK, so it’s no replacement for going to the gym, but one study found
that laughing for 10 to 15 minutes a day can burn about 40 calories—which could be enough to
lose three or four pounds over the course of a year.
 Laughter lightens anger’s heavy load. Nothing diffuses anger and conflict faster than a shared
laugh. Looking at the funny side can put problems into perspective and enable you to move on
from confrontations without holding onto bitterness or resentment.
 Laughter may even help you to live longer. A study in Norway found that people with a
strong sense of humor outlived those who don't laugh as much. The difference was particularly
notable for those battling cancer.

9. Physical health benefits of laughter
Boosts immunity
Lowers stress hormones
Decreases pain
Relaxes your muscles
Prevents heart disease

10. Mental health benefits of laughter
Adds joy and zest to life
Eases anxiety and tension
Relieves stress
Improves mood
Strengthens resilience

11. Social benefits of laughter
Strengthens relationships
Attracts others to us
Enhances teamwork
Helps defuse conflict
Promotes group bonding

12. How to Develop Your Sense of Humor
 Remember funny things that happen. If something amusing happens or you
hear a joke or funny story you really like, write it down or tell it to someone else
to help you remember it.
 Laugh at yourself. Share your embarrassing moments. The best way to take
yourself less seriously is to talk about times when you took
yourself too seriously.
 Attempt to laugh at situations rather than bemoan them. Look for the
humor in a bad situation, and uncover the irony and absurdity of life. When
something negative happens, try to find a way to make it a humorous anecdote
that will make others laugh.
 Surround yourself with reminders to lighten up. Keep a toy on your desk or
in your car. Put up a funny poster in your office. Choose a computer screensaver
that makes you laugh. Frame photos of you and your family or friends having
fun.

13.  Don’t dwell on the negative. Try to avoid negative people and don’t dwell on
news stories, entertainment, or conversations that make you sad or unhappy.
Many things in life are beyond your control—particularly the behavior of other
people. While you might think taking the weight of the world on your shoulders
is admirable, in the long run it’s unrealistic and unhealthy.
 Find your inner child. Pay attention to children and try to emulate them—
after all, they are the experts on playing, taking life lightly, and laughing at
ordinary things.
 Deal with your stress. Stress can be a major impediment to humor and
laughter, so it's important to get your stress levels in check. One great technique
to relieve stress in the moment is to draw upon a favorite memory that always
makes you smile—something your kids did, for example, or something funny a
friend told you.
 Don’t go a day without laughing. Think of it like exercise or breakfast and
make a conscious effort to find something each day that makes you laugh. Set
aside 10 to 15 minutes and do something that amuses you. The more you get
used to laughing each day, the less effort you’ll have to make.
How to Develop Your Sense of Humor

14. Conclusion
Thus, laughing makes people happy during
difficult times, it helps people to get through
certain challenges in life. However, laughing
sometimes has its downfalls.

15. Any Queries???
Thank you.