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%
123456
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