thesis statement teenagers’ lives are adversely affected by stress; therefore they need to develop...

The Relationship between Humor and Stress

Reduction

Done by: Leena AlMuhaish

Thesis StatementTeenagers’ lives are adversely affected by stress; therefore they need to develop their sense of humor in order to cope with it.

Stress Humor

Stress

Do you experience stress on a daily basis?

YesNo

80%

20%

What is stress?Stress is the body’s state of mental or emotional strain or tension caused by adverse circumstances, changes, or challenges.

Results of a survey (2013) conducted among 129 teenagers show:

Causes of StressAccording to a survey (2013) conducted among 129 teenagers:

Effects of Stress

Health

Mood

Behavior

Relationships

Productivity

Quality of life

Are you aware of the adverse effects of

stress?

YesNo

Results of a survey (2013) conducted among 129 teenagers show:

56%44%

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HumorWhat is humor?The ability to make something seem funny with which it induces laughter or amusement.

Are you aware of the relationship between humor and stress reduction?

AwareUnaware40%

60%

Humor and Stress

In order for the body to be in a state of balance, positive emotions have to be incorporated when stress is experienced.

Example: Humor and laughter maintain a positive outlook.

+ve emotions-ve emotions

Hap

py m

esse

nger

s

Sad messengers

Do you use humor in order to reduce stress?

Aware/NoUnaware/NoAware/Yes40%

15%

45%

Humor and Stress

Halah AlWatban, a senior at Dhahran Ahliyya School says: “When I feel stressed I start over-thinking which makes me feel depressed, I know that laughter would make me feel less stressed, but in some cases I can’t see the humor in the situation”.

Developing a Sense of Humor

Smile Count and thank your blessings.

Give more space to

happy and exciting

thoughts in your mind.

Learn from other

people’s humor.

Developing a Sense of Humor

*Be sarcastic or ironic

*Use puns

*Reframe*Add sound effects

*Exaggerate stressful situations

*Observe people’s facial expressions

Developing a Sense of Humor

Plan to cheer up at least one person who is feeling down.

Develop a routine to break the

dark mood.

ReferencesKrantz, D. D., Thorn, B., Kiecolt-Glaser, J. (2012). How stress affects your health. American

Psychological Association. Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/stress.aspxMcNeely, C., Blanchard, J., (2008). The Teen Years Explained. Adolescent Health: A guide to

Healthy Adolescent Development. Retrieved from http://www.jhsph.edu/research/centers-and-institutes/center-for-adolescent-

health/_includes/Teen_Stress_Standalone.pdf Seaward, B. L. (2011). Managing stress a creative journal (4th ed.). Sudbury, Mass.: Jones &

Bartlett Publishers.Smith, M., Segal, R., & Segal, J. (2013). Stress Symptoms, Signs & Causes: Effects of Stress

Overload. Helpguide. Retrieved from http://www.helpguide.org/mental/stress_signsWatson, K. K., Matthews, B. J., & Allman, J. M. (2006). Brain Activation During Sight Gags

And Language-Dependent Humor. Cerebral Cortex, 17(2), 314-324. (2011). Teens and Stress. UCLA/RAND Prevention Research Center. Retrieved from http://www.ph.ucla.edu/prc/downloads/SM_Teen(2012, June 25). Why stress makes you miserable. Science. Retrieved from http://news.sciencemag.org/brain-behavior/2012/06/why-stress-makes-you- miserable (2013). Stress. Palo Alto Medical Foundation Sutter Health. Retrieved from http://www.pamf.org/teen/life/stress/50stresses

ProductPurpose: -To spread awareness on the adverse effects of stress caused by various factors. -To spread awareness on the different techniques for developing a sense of humor.

-Mrs. Malick-Mrs. Ameena Abdussamad -Participants of the survey (2003)-Sarah AlAbdullatif-Najla AlJabr-Halah AlWatban-Lama AlMuhaish