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/ Jan - Feb2007 / Laughter: Medicine for the Heart
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Laughter: Medicine for the Heart
By Jane E. Maxwell
Then as we turned on the TV and
radio to some of his old favorites —
“I Love Lucy,” “Abbot and Costello,”
“All in the Family,” and “Mayberry
RFD,” along with the music we grew
up with, we began to laugh. Tensions
faded, muscles relaxed, pain was
lessened and we reconnected.
Laughter reminded me that one is
much more than his or her illness.
We are all persons first, still
alive and able to enjoy levity. Joy
is still possible for the patient
and the caregiver.
Try keeping a journal of humorous
things you see, hear or read. Place
cartoons on your refrigerator or
bulletin board. They will be there
when you need them. Avoid negative
people. Don’t put yourself down.
Call someone today to arrange to
meet for a few hours to renew your
spirit. It truly will be medicine
for your heart.“
A sense of humor can help us
overlook the unattractive, tolerate
the unpleasant, cope with the
unexpected, and smile through the
unbearable.” —Moshe Waldoks
Jane E.
Maxwell is a Registered Nurse and
hospice volunteer. She has cared for
hundreds of patients over her
forty-year career, many with
terminal illness. She was a
caregiver for her husband and other
loved ones for several years. She is
the author of the book, “Lifelines
for Caregivers.”
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