Presented in collaboration with Megan Umbach at the NJ Education Association annual conference in 2011.

1. St r es s i n Sc hool ?
Chuc kl e I t Aw ay i n a
Heal t hy W ay
Joanne Kinsey, M.S.
Family & Community Health Sciences Educator
Atlantic & Ocean Counties
Megan Umbach, M.A.
Ben Franklin Elementary School, Lawrence Twp.

2. Objectives
• Identify laughter’s relationship to a healthy lifestyle
• I d e n t i f y a t o o l b o x o f s t r at e g i e s t h at e n c o u r ag e
t h e u s e o f h u mo r
• Identify 3 strategies that can be adapted into your local program

3. What is stress
• Stress is your mind and body’s response or reaction to a real or
imagined threat, event or change.
• Stress is the “wear and tear” our minds and bodies experience as we
attempt to cope with our continually changing environment.
• Stress is a normal part of life.

4. I n t oday’ s w l d: w
or hat c aus es
s t r es s
• Anxiety:
─ Uneasiness and distress about future uncertainties.
• Changes in life’s expectations or demands:
─ Marriage, divorce, pregnancy, illness, bills, demands of work.
• Disorganization:
─ Feeling unprepared and powerless.
• Physical Constraints:
─ Physical exhaustion, lack of exercise, lack of sleep
and diet.
• Time constraints:
─ Multiple projects and deadlines.

5. Ext er nal s t r es s or s
• Physical Environment: Noise, bright lights, heat, confined spaces
• Social Interaction: Rudeness, bossiness, aggressiveness of others,
bullying
• Organizational: Rules, regulations, “red tape”, deadlines
• Major Life Events: Birth, death, lost job, promotion, marital status
change
• Daily Hassles: Commuting, misplaced keys, mechanical breakdowns

6. I nt er nal s t r es s or s
• Lifestyle Choices: Caffeine, lack of sleep, overloaded schedule
• Negative Self – Talk: Pessimistic thinking, self criticism, over
analyzing
• Mind Traps: Unrealistic expectations, taking things personally,
all or nothing thinking, exaggeration, rigid thinking
• Personality Traits: Perfectionists, workaholics

7. Good s t r es s
“Eustress”
Eustress occurs when your level of stress is high enough to motivate
you to get things done. This type of stress provides you with focus
and gives you your "competitive edge“.
• Performing tasks
• Performing in front of a group
• A competitive situation

8. Bad s t r es s
“Distress”
Distress occurs when your level of stress is either too high or too
low and your body and/or mind begin to respond negatively to the
stressors.
• Difficult work environment
• Overwhelming sights and sounds
• Threat of personal injury

9. Cum at i ve s t r es s
ul
Is stress that….
• Piles up (like snowballs)
• Increases with time
• Deteriorates:
* Performance
* Relationships
* Health
This used to be called “Burnout”

10. Si gns of c um at i ve s t r es s
ul
• Fatigue • Paranoia, or irrational fears
• Detachment • Derogatory speech or labeling of others
• Depression • Denial
• Medication or drug use • Increased workplace absences
• Irritability • Irresponsibility
• Memory problems

11. St r es s and t he i ndi vi dual
Does everyone handle stress differently?
• Social Support
• Skill Level
• Health
• Job complexity
• Self Esteem
• Gender
• Personality

12. Do we cause our own stress?
75% of the stress we experience is self generated. How we perceive
life or whether an event makes us feel threatened or stimulated,
happy or sad - depends largely on how we perceive ourselves.
Recognizing that we create most of our own upsets is an important
first step towards coping with them.

13. “I’m an old man now, and I have
known a great many problems in
my life…most of which never
happened.”
- Mark Twain

14. Physical changes:
• Muscle tension
• Nausea
• Headaches
• Jaw, neck & back pain
• Diarrhea
• Sleep disturbances
• Dry mouth, sweaty palms
• Upper respiratory infections
• Cold hands
• Shallow Breathing

15. Em i onal c hanges
ot
• Anxiety, worry, guilt, nervousness
• Anger, frustration
• Moodiness
• Depression
• Changes in appetite
• Racing thoughts
• Nightmares
• Diminished concentration
• Impaired memory or forgetfulness

16. Copi ng c at egor i es
Controlling your stress can greatly reduce and even eliminate anxiety &
stress symptoms! Learning strategies and techniques can provide that
stress relief.
Physical
• Exercise
• Nutrition
Emotional
• Relaxation
• Support systems
• Humor

17. W exer c i s e?
hy
Regular exercise allows the body to return to a normal state
faster by removing the byproducts of the fight or flight
response by providing the opportunity to simulate fighting
or running. Choose activities that promote personal
satisfaction.
• Walking
• Running
• Swimming
• Biking
• Hiking
• Involvement in negative activities will only increase
one's stress level.

18. What You Eat I nf l uenc es Your :
• Mo o d
• F o o d Cr avi n g s
• En e r g y L e ve l
• F o o d & Bl u e s
• St r e s s & Di e t
• S l e e p - W e Cyc l e
ak

19. Foods t hat c ont r i but e t o s t r es s
The following foods should be monitored due to increasing the body's
adrenaline, blood sugar, heart rate, blood pressure and respiration.
• Tea, coffee, cocoa
• Junk foods and fast foods
• Soft drinks
• Sugar
• Alcohol

20. Foods hel pf ul i n r el i evi ng s t r es s
Vitamins like B complex, C and E along with minerals like
manganese, selenium and zinc are helpful in relieving stress. The
following foods are rich in these substances.
• Fresh leafy vegetables mainly green and yellow
• Fresh fruits
• Soups
• Yogurts
• Fish
• Skimmed milk
• Herbal products
“It’s all about balance”

21. Snac ks t o Reduc e St r es s
• F r e s h F r u i t S al ad
• Ve g e t ab l e - b e an S o u p
• L o w- f at To r t i l l a Ch i p s wi t h f at -
f r e e r e f r i e d b e an s an d s al s a
• Po p c o r n
• Raw ve g g i e s wi t h l o w- f at d i p
• S al t - f r e e p r e t z e l s

22. Qui c k Br eakf as t
Choi c es
• W o l e g r ai n c e r e al an d l o w- f at mi l k
h
wi t h f r e s h f r u i t o r j u i c e
• Pe an u t b u t t e r o n wh o l e g r ai n t o as t
• Co t t ag e c h e e s e an d f r u i t
• F r u i t - yo g u r t s mo o t h i e
• Oat me al o r h o t c e r e al wi t h l o w- f at
mi l k an d f r u i t
• Yo g u r t wi t h l o w- f at g r an o l a/ d r i e d
f rui t
• Eg g s wi t h wh o l e g r ai n t o as t an d

23. Modi f yi ng Your Mood
• Eat r e g u l ar me al s & s n ac k s i n c l u d i n g
b r e ak f as t .
• Eat me al s wi t h ad e q u at e c o mp l e x
c ar b o h yd r at e an d p r o t e i n .
• D r i n k 6- 8 c u p s o f f l u i d s d ai l y.
• L i mi t c af f e i n e i n t h e d i e t .
• L i mi t s u g ar , c an d y, s we e t s t o a mi n i mu m.
• L i mi t h i g h f at , f r i e d f o o d s t o a
mi n i mu m.
• L i mi t s al t i n t h e d i e t t o a mi n i mu m.
• F o l l o w t h e F o o d Gu i d e Pyr ami d / Ch o o s e

24. Co n t r i b u t e s t o Mi n d / Bo d y
Bal an c e
Max i mi z e s Br ai n Po we r
En h an c e s Cr e at i vi t y
F ac i l i t at e s Co mmu n i c at i o n
S u p p o r t s t h e Ch an g e
proce s s
Taken from: Mary Kay Morrison, Humor Quest

25. W at W Kn o w
h e
D i f f e r e n c e s b e t we e n L au g h t e r an d
Hu mo r
 Laughter • Hu mo r
 Increases pain tolerance  Re d u c e s s t r e s s
 Improves mental  D e c r e as e s d e p r e s s i o n
functioning an d an g e r
 Improves  I mp r o ve s mo o d
respiration/breathing  I n c r e as e s s e l f -
 Relaxes muscles esteem
Research is still being  Pr o mo t e s e mp o we r me n t
conducted as to additional Re s e ar c h o n h u mo r i s
benefits d i f f i c u l t b e c au s e
h u mo r i s a c o mp l e x
25
c o g n i t i ve f u n c t i o n .

26. Movem : Cr i t i c al t o Lear ni ng
ent
Ex e r c i s e i s t h e ac t i vi t y mo s t l i k e l y t o
p r o mo t e c o g n i t i ve p e r f o r man c e ;
– I n c r e as e s o x yg e n t o b r ai n
– Re d u c e s s t r e s s
– I mp r o ve s mo o d
– He i g h t e n s e n s e s
– I n c r e as e s f o c u s
A c h an g e o f s t at e i s r e c o mme n d e d e ve r y 1 0- 1 5
mi n u t e s i n t h e c l as s r o o m. ( Mo r r i s o n ; Hu mo r
26
Qu e s t )

27. A Cl o s e r L o o k at Hu mo r
What i s Ther apeut i c Hum ? or
Th e r ap e u t i c h u mo r i s an y i n t e r ve n t i o n t h at
p r o mo t e s h e al t h an d we l l n e s s b y s t i mu l at i n g
a p l ayf u l d i s c o ve r y, e x p r e s s i o n , o r
ap p r e c i at i o n o f t h e ab s u r d i t y o r i n c o n g r u i t y
o f l i f e ’ s s i t u at i o n s .
AATH As s o c i at i o n f o r Ap p l i e d and The r ap e ut i c
Humo r
W hat i s Hum g y ?
er
“ Hume r g y d e s c r i b e s t h e e n e r g y t h at r ad i at e s
t h e o p t i mi s t i c j o y o f o u r i n n e r s p i r i t ,
r e f l e c t s o u r u n i q u e p e r s o n al i t y, an d
n o u r i s h e s a h e al t h y mi n d / b o d y b al an c e . ”

28. Implications for student learning
Emotion Drives Attention and
Learning!
What kind of emotions have we used in
schools in the past? How has this impacted
student learning?
Gr ad e s
Di s c i p l i n e
Fear? As s e s s me n t
Co l l e g e Pr e p
Cl as s Ran k Anger?
Tr u an c y
28

29. Mo o d L i f t e r
Change 5 Things

30. Co n t r i b u t e s t o Mi n d / Bo d y Bal an c e
• Hum r el i eves s t r es s
or
– Ex c e s s f e ar an d an x i e t y c an c au s e s e ve r e s t r e s s .
– Th i s s t r e s s c an l e ad t o h e al t h p r o b l e ms .
– Hu mo r c an r e l i e ve s t r e s s an d p r o mo t e h e al i n g .
• Laught er i s l i nked t o heal i ng
– Hu mo r i s b e i n g u s e d i n Th e r ap y ( As s o c i at i o n o f
Ap p l i e d an d Th e r ap e u t i c Hu mo r )
– L au g h t e r r e l e as e s e n d o r p h i n s i n s u b j e c t s wat c h i n g
c o me d y ( L o ma L i n d a Un i ve r s i t y s t u d y- D r . L e e Be r k ,
Cal i f o r n i a)
– Vi g o r o u s l au g h t e r i s s t i mu l at i n g , i n c r e as i n g h e ar t
r at e , b l o o d p r e s s u r e , an d c i r c u l at i o n ; c i r c u l at i n g
i mmu n e s u b s t an c e e f f e c t i ve n e s s , p u l mo n ar y
ve n t i l at i o n , an d al e r t n e s s ; an d e x e r c i s i n g t h e
s k e l e t al mu s c l e s . F oTakenwi n g Mary Kay t e r t h Humor iQuest b r i e f
l l o from: l au g h Morrison, e r e s a

31. Max i mi z e s Br ai n Cap ac i t y
• Hu mo r al e r t s t h e l i mb i c s ys t e m, t h e at t e n t i o n al
c e n t e r o f t h e b r ai n .
• I n f o r mat i o n i s mo r e l i k e l y t o b e r e me mb e r e d i f
i t h as me an i n g an d c o n t ai n s an e mo t i o n al
“hook”.
Hum get s at t ent i on
or
• Hu mo r r e q u i r e s p r o c e s s i n g o f l an g u ag e
d i s c r e p an c i e s i n o r d e r t o “ g e t t h e j o k e ”
• Hu mo r i n c r e as e s me mo r y r e t r i e v al .
• Ad van c e d l an g u ag e s k i l l s ar e at t h e c o r e o f
h u mo r d e ve l o p me n t . On e q u al i t y i n i d e n t i f yi n g
gi f t e d s t u d e nt s i s r e c ogni z i ng t h e i r s e ns e of
h u mo r .
• Hu mo r i s t Taken n u mb e rKay Morrison, Humor Quest i s t i c t h at
h e from: Mary o n e c h ar ac t e r

32. En h an c e s Cr e at i vi t y
• Th e s ame q u al i t i e s t h at ar e n e c e s s ar y f o r
c r e at i ve t h i n k i n g ar e f o u n d i n t h e
e x p r e s s i o n o f h u mo r :
– I m nat i on: S e e i n g t h e wo r l d a l i t t l e
agi
d i f f e r e n t l y i s t h e c o r e o f h u mo r
– Ri s k- t aki ng: Th e ab i l i t y t o e x p r e s s
“ wi l d ” t h o u g h t s an d i d e as
– Di ver gent t hi nki ng: mak i n g u n u s u al
c o n n e c t i o n s an d l i n k i n g d i f f e r e n t
e l e me n t s e me r g e wi t h b o t h h u mo r an d
c r e at i vi t y
Taken from: Mary Kay Morrison, Humor Quest

33. F ac i l i t at e s Co mmu n i c at i o n
• Hu mo r p r o vi d e s i n s i g h t s i n t o yo u r o wn
b e h avi o r an d t h at o f o t h e r s . Hu mo r i s p ar t
o f e mo t i o n al i n t e l l i g e n c e . I t i s t h e
ab i l i t y t o r e c o g n i z e o u r o wn e mo t i o n s an d
t h e e mo t i o n s o f o t h e r s an d t o r e s p o n d wi t h
p o s i t i ve e n e r g y- h u me r g y!
• Hu mo r :
Mi r r o r s c o n f i d e n c e an d t h e ab i l i t y to
l au g h at yo u r s e l f .
Mi r r o r s an g e r , f e ar an d o t h e r e mo t i ons .
Mi r r o r s c o mmu n i c at i o n s k i l l s an d r i sk
t ak i Taken from: MarytKay Morrison, Humor Quest
n g ab i l i y.

34. S u p p o r t s t h e Ch an g e Pr o c e s s
• Ch an g e i s d i f f i c u l t .
• W e n we c an f i n d t h e h u mo r i n a
h
d i f f i c u l t s i t u at i o n we c an b e g i n t o
c o p e wi t h t h e c h an g e .
• Gr o u p h u mo r c an e me r g e f r o m c o p i n g
wi t h t h e c h an g e . I t i s of t e n
n e g at i ve i n n at u r e .
Taken from: Mary Kay Morrison, Humor Quest

35. Cr e at e s an o p t i mal l e ar n i n g
e n vi r o n me n t !
• I n c r e as e d p r o d u c t i vi t y
• Re d u c t i o n o f s t r e s s
• En g ag e me n t o f p o s i t i ve e mo t i o n s
• Ef f e c t i ve c l as s r o o m man ag e me n t
• Cr e at e s t r u s t
35

36. W mi g h t as we l l p o s t t h i s s i g n
e
i n man y o f o u r i n s t i t u t i o n s !

37. Mo o d L i f t e r
60 Second Mirth Quake

38. Hu mo r i s Ri s k y!
A l o t o f f o l k s p r ac t i c e s af e h u mo r . Th e y
o n l y f e e l s af e l au g h i n g i n t h e f o l l o wi n g
s i t u at i o n s :
• W t h chi l d ren
i
• W t h an i mal s
i
• W t h d r u g s , al c o h o l
i
• W t h s t r an g e r s
i
• Mak i n g f u n o f s o me o n e e l s e
38

39. Hum doom s ; peopl e w
or er ho us e negat i ve
hum t o c ont r ol and m pul at e
or ani
ot her s
Hum phobi a b r e e d s
or
humo r d o o me r s , s k i l l e d c r af t e r s
wh o u s e s u b t l e t e c h n i q u e s t o
s u p p r e s s h u mo r i n t h e
wo r k p l ac e .
Hum doom s ar e u s u al l y
or er
u n h ap p y i n d i vi d u al s s t r e s s e d b y
t h e d u e l d e man d s o f 39
ac c ount abi l i t y an d l i m t ed t i m
i e

40. Myths about Humor
• I f we h ave f u n , wo r k wi l l n o t g e t d o n e ! ”
• “ I f I am s i l l y, I wi l l n o t b e s e e n as a
p r o f e s s i o n al . ”
• “ I f we ar e l au g h i n g , t h e y wi l l n o t b e
l e ar n i n g . ”
• “ I d o n ’ t h ave t i me f o r h u mo r . ”
• “ W c an n o t me as u r e h u mo r an d t h e e f f e c t
e
t h at i t h as s o i t i s “ s o f t d at a” an d
d o e s n o t h ave a p l ac e i n t h e s e r i o u s
wo r l d ”
Taken from: Mary Kay Morrison, Humor Quest

41. I n ap p r o p r i at e Hu mo r
W e n t h e i mp ac t i s h u r t f u l ,
h
i t i s u s u al l y i n ap p r o p r i at e , e ve n i f t h e
i nt e nt i s not s o.
Ridicule
Sarcasm
Ethnic Humor
Gender Humor
“I hate being laughed at!”
.
Taken from: Mary Kay Morrison, Humor Quest

42. An indicator of trust in an organization
is the ability to have fun
FunWorks by Leslie Yerkes.

43. Hu mo r Bu i l d s Tr u s t
Cu l t i vat e i t i n t h e
W r k p l ac e
o
Hu me r g y= Tr u s t
 S u p p o r t s e n h an c e d c o mmu n i c at i o n
s k i l l s / b u i l d s r e l at i o n s h i p s
 Ch an g e s b e h avi o r o f i n d i vi d u al s an d
gr ou p s
 Re l i e ve s s t r e s s an d p r o mo t e s h e al i n g
 I n c r e as e s p r o d u c t i vi t y
 Re f l e c t s an e n vi r o n me n t o f t r u s t , h o p e ,
43

44. Ed u c at o r ’ s Tac k l e Bo x
Hu mo r i n f u s e d i n l e ar n i n g p r o c e s s
Hook, Li ne and Si nker
• The Hook: Cap t ur e and Re t ai n St ud e nt
At t e nt i o n: ( ad van c e o r g an i z e r s )
• The Li ne: Ex p and St ud e nt Co mp r e he ns i o n;
( l e s s o n p l an s )
• The Si nker : I nc r e as e t he Op p o r t uni t y
F o r M mo r y Re t e nt i o n
e
( f e e d b ac k / r e f l e c t i o n )
The purposeful use of humor
will maximize memory and facilitate learning.
44
Mary Kay Morrison 2008

45. S u mmar y
• Hu mo r d e f i n e d ; h u me r g y
• Hu mo r i s d e ve l o p me n t al
• Hu mo r b e n e f i t s i n c l u d e :
Co nt r i b ut e s t o M nd /Bo d y Bal anc e
i
M i mi z e s Br ai n Po we r
ax
Enhanc e s Cr e at i v i t y
F ac i l i t at e s Co mmuni c at i o n
Sup p o r t s t he Chang e p r o c e s s
Cr e at e s an Op t i mal Env i r o nme nt f o r Le ar ni ng
• Hu mo r d o o me r s an d Hu mo r p h o b i a c h al l e n g e
h u me r g y
• Un d e r s t an d i n g yo u r h u mo r s t yl e c o n t r i b u t e s t o
i n c r e as i n g yo u r h u mo r c ap ac i t y
• Hu me r g y b u i l d s t r u s t an d an e n vi r45 n me n t o f
o

47. Ground Rules
We laugh with each other, not at each other
We laugh voluntarily
We laugh because we accept the fact that
life is sometimes silly, ludicrous, absurd, and
just plain funny
All humor is good-natured and good hearted

48. Getting serious about laughter…
Misconceptions:
• You cannot die laughing
• You were not born with a sense of humor
• Sense of humor is not telling jokes
• Laughter is not the same thing as sense of humor
• You don’t need a reason to laugh
• Mirthful laughter may be the most helpful
• You don’t necessarily laugh because you feel good
• You can be both serious and humorous

49. The Benefits of Laughter
Increases antibodies in saliva that combats upper respiratory infections
Decreases serum cortisol: providing an antidote for the harmful effects of stress
Improves ventilation: helping reduce chronic respiratory conditions
Secrets an enzyme that protects the stomach from forming ulcers
Conditions the abdominal muscles Has positive benefits on mental functions
Reduces blood pressure and heart rate Helps the body fight infection
Aids in reducing symptoms of neuralgia and rheumatism
Helps move nutrients and Releases endorphins which
oxygen to body tissues provide natural pain relief
Liberates interleukin-2 and other immune boosters
Changes perspective Makes you feel good!

50. Laughter Exercise Warm-Up

51. Laughter Exercises

52. How do you feel now???

53. Living the goodhearted lifestyle!
Eat a healthy diet everyday
Exercise, even if it is walking a few extra steps each day
Get enough sleep at night to feel rested
Drink water instead of high sugar drinks and soda
Spend time with people who are important to you
Laugh, laugh, laugh!

54. Ho w c an yo u u s e
h u mo r / l au g h t e r i n yo u r
p r ac t i c e ?

55. A c om et e bi bl i ogr aphy c an be f ound on M y
pl ar
Kay’ s w eb s i t e at : w w ques t f or hum . c om
w. or
Ref er enc e Books
• The Ps y c ho l o g y o f Humo r , Ro d A. Mar t i n 2 007
•W hy Ze b r a’ s Do n’ t Ge t Ul c e r s , Ro b e r t S ap o l s k y
1 998
• F unW r ks ,
o L e s l i e Ye r k e s , 2 001 ,
• A Bi o l o g i c al Br ai n i n a Cul t ur al Cl as s r o o m,
Ro b e r t S yl we s t e r , 2 003
Ad d i t i o n al r e s o u r c e ;
As s oc i at i on f or Appl i ed and Ther apeut i c Hum or
( AATH) Using Humor to Maximize Learning
Mary Kay Morrison
ht t p: / / aat h. or g/
Rowman and Littlefield Education.
Blue Ridge Summit, PA.
http://www.rowmaneducation.com

56. Co n t ac t I n f o r mat i o n
Joanne Kinsey, MS, CFCS
Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Atlantic & Ocean Counties
jkinsey@njaes.rutgers.edu
www.njaes.rutgers.edu www.rutgers-atlantic.org
Megan Umbach, MA, NCC
School Counselor, Ben Franklin Elementary School
Lawrenceville, NJ
mumbach@ltps.org
www.ltps.org/BenFranklin.cfm