Humor has always been an expression of the freedom of the human spirit; the ability to stand outside of life’s flow and view the whole scene—the incongruities, the tragedies outside of our control, the unexpected. I am personally convinced that humor is a part of our lives that is becoming more and more important. If we cannot see the humor in the changing, serious world around us, we are doomed to internalize it and that can be damaging to us mentally as well as physically.

Question

2 Here are some results of research into the relationship between stress, work and wellness.
Forty five percent of a sample of coronary patients spent more than 60 hours per week on their job.

Job stress has been associated with high cholesterol levels, increased heart rate and increased smoking.

Blood pressure was higher among employees who said they "did not understand" what was expected of them.

"Responsibility for people" on a job is more likely to lead to heart disease than having responsibility for things.

Executives who are poor delegators have 8 times as many ulcers as good delegators.

White-collar workers reporting job dissatisfaction are 5 times as likely to use tranquilizers.

High stress occupations have suicide rates 2-6 times higher than the general population.

3 Many of these statistics are sobering at best. Yet with the present recession, the current trend toward company downsizing and the rising costs of doing business, what can the average Joe or Jane Employee do?

4 One solution may be to "lighten" up your work environment. That doesn’t mean taking your job less seriously; jobs are very serious right now. The idea is to take yourself less seriously. Don’t be afraid to let yourself laugh a little every day. It will improve your face value.

5 Interestingly enough, when a comedian uses humor you ask "Is it funny?" When you use humor in the business world, you ask, "Does it work?" There is growing recognition today that something as seemingly frivolous as humor can actually promote productivity and cohesion within an organization. Many companies are beginning to take a serious interest in humor as it is used in speeches, training, employee relations, and managing stress. The value of humor also reaches into the boardroom. Executives who incorporate a sense of humor into their management styles find that it pays off in increased employee morale, decreased employee absenteeism, higher employee productivity and improved communication within the organization as a whole.

6 The role of humor as a stress reducer cannot be overestimated given today's climate of corporate calamity. Stress interferes with your objectivity and clouds your business judgment. Humor, used judiciously, can help you maintain the perspective necessary for successful decision-making and problem solving. Humor can be taught and workplace health is likely to improve as a result.

7 The positive emotions such as hope, faith, love and laughter have a direct effect on your health. Laughter is not only good medicine, it is also good business. Because laughter and play have been shown to relax tense individuals, humor may be the ultimate weapon for combating stress and preventing burnout.
Question

Which source would provide the MOST bias-free information about smoking and increased health risks?
Responses

A A website created by heart disease patientsA website created by heart disease patients

B A research study conducted by the Mayo ClinicA research study conducted by the Mayo Clinic

C A public service message sponsored by tobacco companiesA public service message sponsored by tobacco companies

D An online question forum conducted by attorneys for cardiac specialists

Answer 1

B. A research study conducted by the Mayo Clinic

This option is likely to provide the most bias-free information because the Mayo Clinic is a reputable medical institution known for its evidence-based research and focus on patient care. The other options are more likely to present bias due to their associations: option A comes from patients who may have personal stakes or experiences influencing their perspectives; option C is sponsored by tobacco companies, which have a vested interest in downplaying health risks related to smoking; and option D, being conducted by attorneys, may have a legal angle that could affect objectivity.