How do I put a smile on my patients' faces?
Humor in nursing is an important aspect of creating a positive environment despite challenging situations. "Humor is when you laugh anyway!" This is a well-known quote from the German journalist Otto Julius Bierbaum. "Nevertheless" can be understood to mean that, despite external circumstances that may not be ideal at the moment, you can bear them more easily with a smile on your face. Humor has a positive effect on both the cardiovascular system and the psyche. They don't say: Laughter is healthy for nothing!
Shakespeare knew at the time how to use humor to lighten up a serious play in the short term and give the audience a short breather despite a very serious plot. "Comic Relief" is what the jargon calls "liberating comedy".
Where does the word humor actually come from?
Humour has also found its place in nursing - and for much longer than you might think.
The word humour has its origins in medicine. More precisely, in an early form of medicine. At that time, the common belief was that the four fluids circulating in our bodies, according to Hippocrates, had to be balanced in order for body and mind to be in harmony and therefore healthy. This teaching was known as the theory of humor. Humor therefore comes from fluid, or from the Greek word for moist.
Historical examples from medicine and literature
From school, some of you will remember the story of Mozart, how at the end of his life he was asked by the local Medici to undergo bloodletting. It was thought that this would rid the body of toxic substances.
Another example is Shakespeare. He wrote in his play "Hamlet"
"I cherish pigeon courage and I lack gall"
He meant that Hamlet lacks courage and bravery. The theory of temperament also comes from this corner of history. It speaks of cholerics, sanguinics, melancholics and phlegmatics. Yellow bile, blood, black bile and phlegm, which are also divided into fire, water, air and earth.
Until the 20th century, there was still a belief that humans were not made up of the same elements. Until the 20th century, there was a belief that people could be divided into these four types. In modern medicine, of course, the doctrine of temperaments is considered a misconception. The human psyche is far too complex to be divided into these four areas.
Because nobody is only melancholic, phlegmatic or 'hot-blooded'. Even though the doctrine of temperaments has been refuted, the labels have remained to this day. The knowledge that humor and laughter have a positive influence on mood has persisted to this day.
With this in mind, the etymological meaning of humor is, casually speaking, to be "well-mixed" or even balanced. So it's actually no surprise that humor is an important building block for care.
The Importance of Humor in Nursing Today
A prominent example of laughter, humor and care are the CliniClowns or the Red Noses. Through their visits to hospitals or nursing homes, these clowns bring joy and variety to people whose situations are characterized by fear, uncertainty, illness or pain. Laughter has a liberating effect and helps to bridge emotional distance.
Patch Adams, the American doctor, social activist and professional clown brought "healing with humor" into the mainstream. He still visits Russia today with a group of volunteer clowns to visit the sick and orphans.
Nora's film tip:
In "Patch Adams" Robin Williams shines in the role of Hunter Doherty "Patch" Adams. The moving film was released in 1998 and remains an audience favorite to this day.
Humor therapy supports the patient in reducing inner tension and thus also acts as a prophylaxis for a healthy psyche. Humor, both in nurses as well as in patients , supports well-being and can help promote the healing process. Humor connects caregiver and patient on a deep, human level and builds trust.
But not only the patients benefit from the healing effect of laughter and humor.
In a profession where you are confronted with human suffering as often as nursing, humor is one of the most important tools to deal with the frequent stressful situations and a Burn Out to avoid.
Did You Know?
Babies are not born with the ability to laugh. Although embryos can already smile, it takes about 5
to gurgle and chortle properly.months.
Benefits of Humor in Nursing: Physical and Emotional
What exactly is it that makes us feel like a huge weight has been lifted from our hearts after a good, hearty laugh with friends?
- Relaxing the muscles
- Cardiovascular system is stimulated and thus lowers blood pressure
- Autonomic nervous system is stimulated and stress hormones are reduced
- We process 3 to 4 times more oxygen when we laugh
- The sensation of pain is alleviated
- Happiness hormones are released
- Shifting perspective
- Interrupt negative thought patterns
- Building trust, feeling connected
- Distraction from difficult situations
Of course, not everyone is a born cabaret artist. And you don't have to be to put a smile on someone's face. Sometimes a thoughtful remark, an amusing observation is enough.
But even with a shrewd, casual approach to everyday mishaps, it can
You can succeed in defusing a potentially unpleasant situation immediately.
Did you know?
Some studios even offer laughter yoga and there are entire seminars where you can learn to laugh
This can be a tool that many cabaret artists and comedians use at the beginning of a show, for example.
Imagine this: You buy a ticket for your favorite comedian. Unfortunately, the queue in front of the toilet was a little longer or maybe you just couldn't find a parking space. You're the last one into the auditorium, the show has already started, you naturally don't want to be disturbed and prefer to teleport to your seat or sink straight into the floor.
Humor in care: How Robin Williams and everyday humor can ease tensions
In a situation like this, instead of fretting that someone is late, Robin Williams addresses the "latecomers" directly "Oh wow, you have no idea what you just missed!"
And repeats the skits of the first 5 minutes at an incredible speed.
The tension is broken, you feel welcome and at the same time a sense of togetherness has developed in the audience. Like magic!
In everyday life, a very simple "Shards bring happiness!" to ease the regret of someone who has just accidentally broken a glass. There are also situations where humor can be rather out of place. At the beginning, you cannot know what mental situation a person is in. It is also important to learn to "read the room", as comedians call it.
In general, humour is important
.
Intuition
Listen to your gut feeling. Our intuition is not a mystical 6th sense, but a pool of subconscious experiences that we can access
Empathy
Can you empathize with the other person's situation or "feel into" a person? Being empathetic can also mean reacting to a person's feelings, i.e. consciously perceiving them
Improvisation
Not everything always has to go perfectly according to plan, or even have a plan. A lot of humor in everyday life is based on situation comedy.
Reflection
Just as we can look at our reflection in a mirror, we can also reflect on ourselves or our environment. Basically, reflection means pausing and, for example, reviewing our working day in the evening. What was good? What did I enjoy? How did the people around me feel about me?
Nora's conclusion: humour in nursing
The positive effects of humor can greatly enrich the nurse-patient relationship and support both psychological and physical healing. How do you put a smile on your patient's face?
If you want to create a nurse that your Relatives take good care of them, but also laugh with them, then become a member of noracares and find the nurse that you wish for your relative in need of care!
