Clowning Around

This morning I read that humor can be considered a hobby. It added that it’s a great hobby because it lightens, reminds us to not take ourselves too seriously, and (most appealing to me) doesn’t cost anything.

Reading this little tidbit led me down a rabbit hole (also often appealing to me). I looked up some studies about the quantifiable benefits of laughter. It’s a lot of “no duh!” such as laughter reduces cortisol, improves heart and respiratory rates, increases pain tolerance, and gives us the dopamine.

Of course the elements to be wary of were also addressed. Things like dark humor isn’t okay when it’s laughing at others versus laughing with others. And that the kind of self-depreciating humor where we mock our own inadequacies can get in our heads a little too much.

And, there in the midst of “be kind with your laughter” the research mentioned ElderClowns.

Okay. On the surface I can understand the value sending clowns to nursing homes. Humor shouldn’t be kept from anyone regardless of their age or life circumstances. That being said,…I broke the very rule I just read about where we don’t laugh at others.

I’m not mature enough to appreciate Dizzy and Peachy’s well intended efforts to make seniors laugh.

Federal grants led to tied on red noses and ukelele playing for dementia patients. These patients are people I want to jump in the computer, travel through time, and spare from the cringe.

The head clown stated that the program reduced elder aggression. I can only assume that’s false research. It did not reduce my aggression. Every time Peachy and Dizzy got in the personal space of the residents, I wanted to punch their red noses.

The news person talks into the camera as though there’s not clown atrocity happening right behind her, “What you see here may look like a performance, but these clowns are highly trained in the art of non-verbal communication.” Dizzy fake hits Peachy with her ukelele, Peachy dramatically falls.

Cut to Peachy and Dizzy in their business clothes. Their voices ooze social work as Peachy says, “We’re rooted in emotional character.” Clearly, these two didn’t read the same thing I did this morning about the importance of not taking yourself too seriously. Peachy and Dizzy’s clinical alter-egos nod affirmingly at each other in their little echo chamber of “we’re amazing.”

Back the the very serious sounding newswoman, “No big shoes here,…just big results”

In between cringing and my imaginary defenses of the women patients, I did laugh. Not in the right ways, but who knows maybe my cortisol is just a little lower. More importantly, it was a reminder that none of us should be prevented from trying to smile even when things are very challenging, and that laughter really does help all kinds of folks. A good chuckle can lift spirits and cleanse the mind. And it’s free!

Here’s to hoping something in your day makes you laugh! Thanks for reading!