PALTC23 Keynote: Humor and Health Go Hand-in-Hand

“Managing stress takes day-by-day, moment-by-moment vigilance,” said author, speaker, and comedian Kay Frances, MBA, at the opening general session of PALTC23, Annual Conference AMDA – The Society for Post-Acute Long-Term Care Medicine. She added, “It also requires a sense humor, light heart, optimism. No pessimistic person ever survived being long-term care practitioner without losing their mind.” Ms. Frances shared laughs with her audience, stressing value humor in workplace even when times are tough. However, she noted that this doesn’t mean we should be eternally optimistic laughing all time. “Optimism needs to tempered realism. Negative emotions part human experience.” suggested treating these negative feelings like “visitors”: they here “to teach us something, then move on.” At same time, observed optimism some work. “If you want look bad news, you’ll find it five minutes,” said. Starting day sets tone day, suggested. “You can have five-minute huddle your team morning. Ask everyone share good news or talk about something job. This is way raise people’s spirits as start shift.” Throughout suggested, “keep antenna up. There opportunities laugh time.” knows from experience role caring people. was caregiver mother after father passed away. said, “Humor got through ... lots Scrabble.” One source stress, noted, other “They’re everywhere,” adding, “We can’t control others but charge how react them.” important avoid ‘energy vampires.’” For instance, consider taking break watching refuse go down rabbit holes on social media. “No one happy let ourselves dragged by things control,” added venting commiserating healthy until “it begins drag not serve purpose.” whenever possible, toxic people who bring challenge efforts optimistic. Of course, interacting essential, so looking others. “People hear ‘thank you’ enough, recognition personal,” When refer specific someone did made difference. Knowing isn’t appropriate key, health practitioners understand. need know audience. take lead others,” if having serious conversation patient makes joke, them express humor. may cope, empathetic supportive. Just there around laugh, many ways reduce every day. trying respond frustrating situations differently. Instead out getting upset because you’re stuck traffic, recommended using time solve problem, think outline an article writing, just muse special event future. don’t often decompress practice self-care. But get habit where yourself, it,” “The only constant PALTC change,” noted. “But resist more comfortable familiar. People handle change best see adventure. They optimism.” much do plan manage change. Then point, trust will work ability resilient. Senior contributor Joanne Kaldy freelance writer New Orleans, LA.