Question
Take Time For Laughter
Take Time For Laughter
Are you interested in living to a ripe old age? Do you want to be certain that you avoid the health pitfalls that can lead to heart disease? Do you know one of the best things you can do for yourself each day? Exercise? Certainly. Avoid saturated fat? Definitely. Laugh? Absolutely! That's right. "The old saying that 'laughter is the best medicine' definitely appears to be true when it comes to protecting your heart," says Dr. Michael Miller, director of preventive cardiology at the University of Maryland Medical Center.
The results of the first study that indicates laughter and humor may help prevent heart disease were presented on November 15, 2000, at a meeting of the American Heart Association. Cardiologists at the University of Maryland in Baltimore conducted the study, which included 300 people, evenly divided between people with healthy hearts and those who had heart disease. All filled out questionnaires. Their answers showed that those with heart problems were 40 percent less likely to laugh at situations in everyday life and more likely to respond hostilely. The questionnaire items indicated a person's usual response to certain life situations. For example, one of the items asked for a true or false response to the statement "I am likely not to talk to people until they speak to me." The multiple-choice questions offered a range of reactions to common situations, such as having a waiter spill a drink on you. The participants with health problems were less able to recognize the humor in such situations and less likely to respond to them with amusement. They appeared less able to use humor as a device to help them adapt and to ease stress. Of course, the researchers have acknowledged that the people with heart problems may have been less likely to laugh because of those very problems.
Research has established that mental stress is associated with damage to the endothelium, the protective barrier lining our blood vessels. Such damage can lead to the buildup of fat and cholesterol in the coronary arteries and can ultimately lead to a heart attack. Recently, researchers at the University of Maryland Medical Center tested the effects of laughter on the endothelium. This time, all 20 of the volunteers had healthy hearts. They were shown scenes from a funny movie to cause them to laugh, and their reactions were monitored. Laughter apparently causes the endothelium to expand in order to increase blood flow. Amazingly, the benefit of the laughter was similar to that of aerobic exercise. After watching the funny scenes, the blood vessels of 19 of the 20 volunteers had relaxed. When they were shown a frightening movie that caused stress, the endothelium constricted. After the movie, 14 of the 20 showed a reduced blood flow. This supports earlier scientific findings, which indicated that mental stress causes blood vessels to narrow.
Laughter benefits us in a variety of ways other than increasing blood flow. It lowers our blood pressure, it increases our oxygen intake, which helps us heal, and it increases our endorphin levels — the hormones that make us feel good and help us deal with pain. It is very possible that laughter helps to boost our immune systems, too. Laughing offers the midsections of our bodies a physical workout, and it even helps us burn calories, just as though we were spending a few minutes on an exercise bike. (And it's no wonder; laughing uses a wide range of muscles — from those in the diaphragm to those in the face and legs.) It also gives us a sense of proportion and helps us deal with the trials of daily life. Laughter helps us release anger and sadness instead of storing those emotions.
Despite the benefits of laughter, many of us appear in need of it. Children in nursery school laugh about 300 times a day, while adults laugh an average of 17 times a day. The research into the benefits of laughter, however, has not gone unnoticed. "Laughter therapy," for example, is a new way of helping people cope with pain, both physical and psychological. Perhaps the legendary comedian Groucho Marx put it best: "A clown is like an aspirin, only he works twice as fast."
Dr. Miller suggests that laughter, like other heart-healthy activities such as exercise and proper diet, should be added to our daily regimen. His recommendation is fifteen minutes of laughter each day. So, we should watch the shows and read the books that amuse us and spend time with the friends and family who make us laugh. And, when we do so, there is no need to feel guilty that we are wasting time that we should be spending more profitably. After all, we are following the doctor's orders and doing something positive for our health. Put up a reminder note on the bathroom mirror or the refrigerator door or wherever you will see it often. Take time for laughter; it's a matter of life and health.
Read Less ▲
Constructed Response Question
How does the author use rhetoric to advance his/her point of view about the connection between laughter and heart health?
Take Time For Laughter
Are you interested in living to a ripe old age? Do you want to be certain that you avoid the health pitfalls that can lead to heart disease? Do you know one of the best things you can do for yourself each day? Exercise? Certainly. Avoid saturated fat? Definitely. Laugh? Absolutely! That's right. "The old saying that 'laughter is the best medicine' definitely appears to be true when it comes to protecting your heart," says Dr. Michael Miller, director of preventive cardiology at the University of Maryland Medical Center.
The results of the first study that indicates laughter and humor may help prevent heart disease were presented on November 15, 2000, at a meeting of the American Heart Association. Cardiologists at the University of Maryland in Baltimore conducted the study, which included 300 people, evenly divided between people with healthy hearts and those who had heart disease. All filled out questionnaires. Their answers showed that those with heart problems were 40 percent less likely to laugh at situations in everyday life and more likely to respond hostilely. The questionnaire items indicated a person's usual response to certain life situations. For example, one of the items asked for a true or false response to the statement "I am likely not to talk to people until they speak to me." The multiple-choice questions offered a range of reactions to common situations, such as having a waiter spill a drink on you. The participants with health problems were less able to recognize the humor in such situations and less likely to respond to them with amusement. They appeared less able to use humor as a device to help them adapt and to ease stress. Of course, the researchers have acknowledged that the people with heart problems may have been less likely to laugh because of those very problems.
Research has established that mental stress is associated with damage to the endothelium, the protective barrier lining our blood vessels. Such damage can lead to the buildup of fat and cholesterol in the coronary arteries and can ultimately lead to a heart attack. Recently, researchers at the University of Maryland Medical Center tested the effects of laughter on the endothelium. This time, all 20 of the volunteers had healthy hearts. They were shown scenes from a funny movie to cause them to laugh, and their reactions were monitored. Laughter apparently causes the endothelium to expand in order to increase blood flow. Amazingly, the benefit of the laughter was similar to that of aerobic exercise. After watching the funny scenes, the blood vessels of 19 of the 20 volunteers had relaxed. When they were shown a frightening movie that caused stress, the endothelium constricted. After the movie, 14 of the 20 showed a reduced blood flow. This supports earlier scientific findings, which indicated that mental stress causes blood vessels to narrow.
Laughter benefits us in a variety of ways other than increasing blood flow. It lowers our blood pressure, it increases our oxygen intake, which helps us heal, and it increases our endorphin levels — the hormones that make us feel good and help us deal with pain. It is very possible that laughter helps to boost our immune systems, too. Laughing offers the midsections of our bodies a physical workout, and it even helps us burn calories, just as though we were spending a few minutes on an exercise bike. (And it's no wonder; laughing uses a wide range of muscles — from those in the diaphragm to those in the face and legs.) It also gives us a sense of proportion and helps us deal with the trials of daily life. Laughter helps us release anger and sadness instead of storing those emotions.
Despite the benefits of laughter, many of us appear in need of it. Children in nursery school laugh about 300 times a day, while adults laugh an average of 17 times a day. The research into the benefits of laughter, however, has not gone unnoticed. "Laughter therapy," for example, is a new way of helping people cope with pain, both physical and psychological. Perhaps the legendary comedian Groucho Marx put it best: "A clown is like an aspirin, only he works twice as fast."
Dr. Miller suggests that laughter, like other heart-healthy activities such as exercise and proper diet, should be added to our daily regimen. His recommendation is fifteen minutes of laughter each day. So, we should watch the shows and read the books that amuse us and spend time with the friends and family who make us laugh. And, when we do so, there is no need to feel guilty that we are wasting time that we should be spending more profitably. After all, we are following the doctor's orders and doing something positive for our health. Put up a reminder note on the bathroom mirror or the refrigerator door or wherever you will see it often. Take time for laughter; it's a matter of life and health.
Read Less ▲
Constructed Response Question
How does the author use rhetoric to advance his/her point of view about the connection between laughter and heart health?
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The author employs various rhetorical strategies to effectively convey the connection between laughter and heart health, ultimately illustrating laughter not just as a source of joy but as an essential component of a healthy lifestyle.
1. **Appeal to Authority (Ethos)**: The author establishes credibility by referencing expert opinions, particularly that of Dr. Michael Miller, director of preventive cardiology at the University of Maryland Medical Center. By citing his research and qualifications, the author reinforces the validity of the link between laughter and heart health. This not only adds weight to the argument but also persuades the reader to consider the advice seriously.
2. **Use of Data and Research (Logos)**: The author incorporates findings from scientific studies, including statistics that show a marked difference in laughter between individuals with heart disease and those with healthy hearts. The mention of studies that reveal laughter’s impact on the endothelium provides a logical foundation for the argument, illustrating that laughter can lead to physiological changes that benefit heart health. This appeal to logic helps readers understand the tangible effects of laughter on the body.
3. **Contrast and Comparison**: The author contrasts the laughter frequency of children with that of adults, highlighting a significant decrease as people age. This comparison serves to illustrate a societal issue — that adults are missing out on a crucial aspect of life that promotes health. By framing laughter as a lost trait, the author encourages readers to reclaim it for their well-being.
4. **Anecdotes and Humor**: Including quotes like Groucho Marx’s “A clown is like an aspirin, only he works twice as fast” adds a lighthearted tone to the piece, making the content more engaging. This use of humor not only aligns with the theme of the text but also reinforces the message that laughter is beneficial; it creates a connection with the reader by encouraging them to embrace laughter in a positive way.
5. **Call to Action**: The author concludes with a clear call to action, encouraging readers to incorporate laughter into their daily routine and suggesting practical ways to do so, like watching funny shows or spending time with amusing friends. This direct appeal prompts the audience to take steps toward improving their health, making the author’s argument actionable and relatable.
Through these rhetorical strategies, the author effectively builds a persuasive argument that positions laughter as an essential, yet often overlooked, contributor to heart health, urging readers to prioritize it in their lives.
1. **Appeal to Authority (Ethos)**: The author establishes credibility by referencing expert opinions, particularly that of Dr. Michael Miller, director of preventive cardiology at the University of Maryland Medical Center. By citing his research and qualifications, the author reinforces the validity of the link between laughter and heart health. This not only adds weight to the argument but also persuades the reader to consider the advice seriously.
2. **Use of Data and Research (Logos)**: The author incorporates findings from scientific studies, including statistics that show a marked difference in laughter between individuals with heart disease and those with healthy hearts. The mention of studies that reveal laughter’s impact on the endothelium provides a logical foundation for the argument, illustrating that laughter can lead to physiological changes that benefit heart health. This appeal to logic helps readers understand the tangible effects of laughter on the body.
3. **Contrast and Comparison**: The author contrasts the laughter frequency of children with that of adults, highlighting a significant decrease as people age. This comparison serves to illustrate a societal issue — that adults are missing out on a crucial aspect of life that promotes health. By framing laughter as a lost trait, the author encourages readers to reclaim it for their well-being.
4. **Anecdotes and Humor**: Including quotes like Groucho Marx’s “A clown is like an aspirin, only he works twice as fast” adds a lighthearted tone to the piece, making the content more engaging. This use of humor not only aligns with the theme of the text but also reinforces the message that laughter is beneficial; it creates a connection with the reader by encouraging them to embrace laughter in a positive way.
5. **Call to Action**: The author concludes with a clear call to action, encouraging readers to incorporate laughter into their daily routine and suggesting practical ways to do so, like watching funny shows or spending time with amusing friends. This direct appeal prompts the audience to take steps toward improving their health, making the author’s argument actionable and relatable.
Through these rhetorical strategies, the author effectively builds a persuasive argument that positions laughter as an essential, yet often overlooked, contributor to heart health, urging readers to prioritize it in their lives.