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Healthy Aging By Sharon Johnson Pastor knows power of humor Call him Pastor Bob. Or simply Bob. At Ascension Lutheran Church, Bob Larson is the positive center of a thriving congregation. At first meeting, you immediately like him. He has a deep voice, spontaneous laugh and a connecting handshake � a healthy spirit. Ever since Norman Cousins wrote "Anatomy of an Illness" and advocated laughter as a solution (or at least a major diversion) in dealing with medical challenges, the concept of humor has been an element in treatment. Cousins watched reruns of Marx Brothers films after he was diagnosed with an excruciatingly painful connective tissue disease. In his words, "I made the joyous discovery that 10 minutes of genuine belly laughter had an anesthetic effect and would give me at least two hours of pain-free sleep." There are many ways to invite laughter into your life. Pastor Bob uses jokes. In fact, the first thing he does after trotting down the aisle of his church into the pulpit on Sunday mornings is tell a joke. Seldom just one joke, usually about three. There are the funny stories about his beloved grandchildren and their most recent conquests. Or humorous anecdotes about aging. He, of course, laughs at his own jokes. His belly laugh lights up his face and soon completely envelops him. In her recently published book, Anna Quindlen shares her philosophy about living a good and happy life. She advises, "Show up, listen, laugh a lot." If you are around Bob Larson, the laughing part is easy. On a recent Sunday morning, some parishioners were shaking from laughter and wiping away tears after a particularly humorous pre-sermon litany. Bob�s healthy spirit reaches out in other ways, too. He sings. His strong, rich voice rolls out above the congregation. He frequently comments on the music that surrounds his Sunday sermons. "Don�t you just love that anthem? I want that music at my funeral." "That one and a hundred others!" is the bemused comment of his organist. Sunday mornings at Ascension Lutheran Church are like a gift. There is laughter, music and abounding goodwill. This kind of warmth and humor may help heal. In the Journal of the American Medical Association, Japanese researchers described how the welts on allergic skin shrank in patients who watched a Charlie Chaplin movie. (The comparison group watched the weather channel.) Researchers may not yet be sure just how and why humor seems to reduce allergic reaction. Because stress undermines the immune system, easing stress through laughter may help immune function and be part of the explanation. In a science-based book with a twist in its title, "Why Zebras Don�t Get Ulcers," the author suggests that the people we surround ourselves with when we are stressed and/or distressed determine how well we cope with disease or disability. The author summarizes laboratory research indicating that disease is sensitive to the quality of our minds � our thoughts, emotions and behaviors. Re-enter Bob Larson, who probably intuitively knows why zebras don�t get ulcers. He clearly knows that laughter and goodwill are powerful spiritual healers. He has a laboratory in his church � and in his heart. Sharon Johnson is an assistant professor in family and community development at OSU Extension and a member of the Senior Advisory Council. Reach her at [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.