Laughter and Play to Save the Day! - Angela N. Chew, LCSW 2018 RCPA Conference Hershey, Pennsylvania
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Laughter and Play to
Save the Day!
Angela N. Chew, LCSW
2018 RCPA Conference
Hershey, Pennsylvania
Who am I? Who are you? Who are we?
What will we learn:
Participants will be able to define and describe vicarious
trauma and its impact on staff.
Participants will be able to recognize the benefits of
laughter and play as it applies to vicarious trauma.
Participants will examine, utilize, and adapt laughter and
play strategies to prevent and address vicarious trauma
with staff.
What may happen: You may smile! You may laugh! You may cry! You may move around! You may feel better! You may learn something you can use! You may have less stress! You may release endorphins! You may think I am more crazy than you originally thought!
What is trauma? Definition (SAMHSA): Result from event or series of events or set of circumstances that is experienced by an individual as physically or emotionally harmful or life-threatening and that has lasting adverse effects on the individual’s functioning and mental, physical, social, emotional, and/or spiritual well-being Deeply distressing or disturbing experience. Trauma is individual, based on experience Effected by past experiences, relationships and experience to current trauma Can be a direct or indirect experience Perceived threat On a continuum and is often cumulative
Then what is vicarious trauma?
Defined: transmission of traumatic stress by bearing
witness to the stories/perceptions of traumatic events
(Institute for Family Professionals, 2016)
The cumulative transformative effect on the helper of
working with survivors of traumatic life events, both
positive and negative.
(Saakvitne & Pearlman, 1996)
It’s the “elephant in the room”
How does vicarious trauma affect us?
You may have burn-out of compassion fatigue as result of vicarious trauma if:
Compassion Fatigue/Burnout
Cumulative buildup over time of primary traumatic stress
(Institute for Family Professionals, 2016)
Emotional Exhaustion
Alienation from Job
Reduced Performance
Cynicism
Lack of positive feelings/sense of fulfillment
Absenteeism: physically/emotionally
Lack of forward thinking, new ideasBenefits of laughter and play
The importance of laughter can be found in ancient writings
An Egyptian Papyrus from 300 BC
When (God) burst out laughing there was light…When he burst
out laughing the second time the waters were born; at he
seventh burst of laughter the soul was born.
Big surprise humankind was the pinnacle of God’s laughter!
(Madden 2011)Laughter is … Universal Physical Emotional Social Linguistic Intellectual Necessary
Laughter defined: A regular series of short vowel like syllables usually transcribed as “ha- ha”, “ho-ho” or “hee-hee” An unconscious response to social and linguistic cues Contagious (Provine 2000)
What happens when we laugh? Heart rate increases Blood pressure/circulation increases Increased respiratory rate Muscles contract and release to produce the laughter Changes in attention Reduction of pain Reduction in stress related hormones Increase natural (bad) cell killers
Benefits of Laughter
Research has not been done enough to indicate
consistent outcomes other than that laughter:
no side effects
no overdose risk
no cost
Multi-systemic effects
compliments medical and mental health
interventionsSome of the research supports Physical health benefits: Relieves physical tension and stress Boosts the immune system Triggers the release of endorphins Helps the protect the heart Burns calories Possibly help live longer
Mental Health Benefits: Increases or adds joy and positive emotions Reduces anxiety and tension Reduces destructiveness of emotions Relieves stress Improves mood Strengthens resilience
Social Benefits Strengthens relationships Increases attraction of others to us Enhances teamwork Defuses conflict Promotes Bonding
Norman Cousins : Anatomy of an Illness
Therefore what would be the benefits of
laughter for vicarious trauma?
Vicarious Trauma/Stress may lead Laughter may lead to:
to:
Stress/depression Reduced stress and improved mood
Irritability Diffused anger and conflict
Isolation Group bonding/social interactions
Sleep problems Improved sleep patterns
Increased pain Increased endorphins
Weakened immune system Increased anti-bodies
Heart related issues Improve cardiovascular healthWhat brings on the most laughter? Embrace your inner child and play
Let’s Play!
Laughter Factory
I Love You But I Just
Can’t SmileEMOTION BALLOONS
Bubble Breath and
ReleaseDESK DANCE
SANDTRAY DEBRIEFING
Is this the end or just the beginning?
“There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good
humor.” ― Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol
“If we couldn't laugh we would all go insane.” ― Robert Frost
“With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come.” ― William Shakespeare,
The Merchant of Venice
“I don't trust anyone who doesn't laugh.” ― Maya Angelou
“Laughter is poison to fear.” ― George R.R. Martin, A Game of Thrones
“Laughter is the shortest distance between two people.” ― Victor Borge
“The only real laughter comes from despair.” ― Groucho Marx, The Groucho
LettersQuestions, comments, ideas to discuss?
Contact me:
Angela N. Chew, LCSW, Clinical Director
Dickinson Center, Inc.
43 Sevidea Drive
Ridgway, PA 15853
814-776-2145
angela.chew@dickinsoncenter.orgAdditional References:
Allen, V. B., Folger, W. A., & Pehrsson, D. (2007). REFLECTIVE PROCESS IN PLAYTHERAPY: A PRACTICAL MODEL FOR
SUPERVISING COUNSELING STUDENTS. Education, 127(4), 472-479.
Doyle, K., & Magor-Blatch, L. E. (2017). 'Even adults need to play': Sandplay therapy with an adult survivor of childhood abuse.
International Journal Of Play Therapy, 26(1), 12-22. doi:10.1037/pla0000042
Gilbert, R. (2014). Laughter therapy: promoting health and wellbeing. Nursing & Residential Care, 16(7), 392-395.
Madden, P. (2011). On laughing. Manoa, 23(2), 141-144,160. Retrieved from http://proxy1.calsouthern.edu/login?url=https://search-
proquest-com.proxy1.calsouthern.edu/docview/1009286776?accountid=35183
Provine, R. (2000, November). The Science of Laughter. Psychology Today. Retrieved June, 2018, from
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/articles/200011/the-science-laughter
Weisse, A. B. (2017). Humor in medicine: can laughter help in healing?. Baylor University Medical Center Proceedings, (3), 378.You can also read
