Yes, laughter, as the old saying goes, is the best medicine. The job of a Nurse is hard and very stressful, sometimes for an entire shift. That kind of stress day in and day out can have negative effects on our health. A hearty laugh can help reduce stress by stretching muscles, elevating the heart rate, increasing respirations, and oxygenating the tissues. It's like exercise for the soul. Have you discovered the therapeutic benefits of a good laugh?
When I worked graveyard at the county hospital trauma ICU in nursing school, the gallows humor was a)horribly crude b)entirely inappropriate and unprofessional and 3)absolutely necessary to the sanity of the entire staff.
I could't agree with this more. Depending on my patient, I will tell them silly jokes and we will have a good laugh together. It's bad enough being sick in a hospital, why not at least have some bright moments? Likewise with my coworkers.
Yes, laughter, as the old saying goes, is the best medicine. The job of a Nurse is hard and very stressful, sometimes for an entire shift. That kind of stress day in and day out can have negative effects on our health. A hearty laugh can help reduce stress by stretching muscles, elevating the heart rate, increasing respirations, and oxygenating the tissues. It's like exercise for the soul. Have you discovered the therapeutic benefits of a good laugh?
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
Sometimes there is so much absurdity at work, with patients, stupid things from administration, etc, you HAVE to laugh. And laughter and humor are contagious and soon, others laugh with you. And then the tension is broken! Win-win.
Horseshoe, BSN, RN
5,879 Posts
Key and Peele: Substitute Teacher just KILLED me.