Healthy Nurses Self-Medicate

CHICAGO, Feb. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Nurses have long witnessed how a cheerful attitude makes a positive impact on a patient's health and healing. Most would agree laughter is the best medicine. This spring hundreds of nurses will test that theory on themselves during the 25th Annual Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor (AATH) Conference April 19-22 at the Westin O'Hare.

"It's time nurses took a dose of their own medicine," says conference co-chair Deb Hart, RN, who makes humor and laughter central to her work as a mental health nurse and Certified Laughter Leader in St. Joseph, IL. "Nurses are so busy lifting the spirits of those they care for, they often forget to replenish themselves. Prioritizing themselves and having fun are critical."

During the AATH conference, healthcare workers will experience hours of much needed laughter while exploring the science behind it. They will learn first hand how colleagues from around the globe apply therapeutic humor, and how a workforce of happy nurses improves patient safety and workplace satisfaction.

Karyn Buxman RN, MSN, CSP, CPAE, an icon in the therapeutic humor movement who has worked with both Norman Cousins and Patch Adams and co-founded The World Laughter Tour, will facilitate a special track of healthcare programming on Friday, April 20. Topics include the latest research and applications in the areas of humor and health, aging, grief, education, and professional practice. For deeper study, AATH offers the Humor Academy, a multi-option curriculum through which participants earn a certificate and/or graduate level credit.

"Stressed-out healthcare workers can turn to unhealthy behaviors and substances in order to cope," says Buxman. "If you are tempted to self medicate, laughter and humor are healthier alternatives. Laughter is free of charge, readily available, and contagious - in a good way. Side effects include better health, improved decision making, and happier living."

Author of the book What's So Funny About Diabetes? Buxman emphasizes the importance of using appropriate humor at the appropriate time, something AATH members take seriously.

Nurses can choose from 26 hours of continuing education credit and will earn 15 credits during the general conference and another 3 for enrolling in the Humor Academy. For more information or to register visit www.aath.org.

SOURCE Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor