Laughter in the Face of Death: The Role of Humour in Nursing

April 25, 2023
Daily Life, Humour, Laughter, Palliative Care, Way of Life

Daily Life, Humour, Laughing, NWH2023, Palliative Care, Palliative Humour, Teaching, Way of Life, Work

As nurses, we often encounter difficult situations that can take a toll on our emotional and physical well-being. One of the most challenging aspects of our job is dealing with death and end-of-life care. It can be heart-wrenching to watch someone we have grown to care for pass away, and it can be equally difficult to console the family members who are grieving. But despite the sadness and heavy emotions that come with death, humor can actually play a vital role in the process. Laughter may seem like an inappropriate response to such a solemn event, but it can actually provide a much-needed release and bring a sense of comfort to those involved.

The Art of the One-Liner – Part 2

March 28, 2023
Humour, Jokes, Laughter, Theoretics

Experience, Humour, Knowledge, Laughing, NWH2023, One Liners, Teaching

Gary Delaney is another comic who can take the one-liner to the darker side. His gags often appear on Funniest Jokes from the Edinburgh Fringe lists; in fact he’s the only comedian to ever have two jokes in the same top ten. My personal favourite is his 2013 gem: “I can give you the cause of anaphylactic shock in a nutshell.”

The Art of the One-Liner – Part 1

November 29, 2022
Humour, Jokes, Laughter, Theoretics

Experience, Humour, Knowledge, Laughing, NWH2022, One Liners, Teaching

Some may dismiss the one-liner as an easy gag, but a good one requires real skill. Luckily, there are comedians out there who have mastered the art. “Take my wife… please.” Only four words, but one of the most famous jokes in American comedy. It was written by Henny Youngman who, in the ’30s was considered the King of the One-Liners.

Creating One-Liners

July 20, 2022
Humour, Jokes, Theoretics

Humour, Knowledge, Laughter Theoretics, NWH2022, Teaching, The essence of humour

One-liners are short, simple jokes that often catch people off guard. They’re designed to take an audience by surprise, and they’re often a little risqué or involve some wordplay. If you want to get in on this style, you can follow the basic formula to have your friends and family rolling out of their seats with laughter in no time.

How to Not Take Yourself Too Seriously

November 24, 2021
Daily Life, Humour, Theoretics

Daily Life, Experience, Humour, Knowledge, Laughing, Laughter Theoretics, Nurse, NWH2021, Teaching, Way of Life

Sometimes it can be hard to laugh at yourself and not take life so seriously. There’s stress, relationship problems, and the demands of family and work that often make it hard to look for levity in life’s situations. Taking yourself less seriously is a sign of comfort and helps you grow as a person. While you can’t always control what happens, you can control how you react. Choosing to not take yourself so seriously is a positive step to help deal with negative situations you can’t always control.

Making Punchlines – Part 2

June 29, 2021
Humour, Jokes, Laughter, Theoretics

Humour, Knowledge, Laughing, Laughter Theoretics, Mental Exercises, NWH2021, Teaching

A punchline in a joke is the last part of your joke and delivers the biggest laugh. It follows your set up and allows you to finish a joke with your own point of view and sense of humour. Punchlines are meant to make the audience laugh by offering a new angle on a topic that the audience wasn’t expecting. To write a punchline you have to have to follow your set up and should come up with several different options for how to end your joke. Brainstorm different endings that you find funny. Then practice your jokes and see which ones sound the best.

Humour as a Nursing Intervention

..... A day not Laughed is a day not Lived !!