Does laughter really help with the healing process in the acute care setting? Stress has been known to increase facial temperature, pulse, and respiratory rate (Elloit,. 2002 p 23-27). So does laughter do the opposite? It has been known to elevate mood levels as noted by relieving induced depression and increasing pain tolerances (Elloit,. 2002 p 23-27). Even Florence Nightingale recommended that nurses try to alleviate pain and boredom by laughing, but does it help with healing? Patients go to the Hospital or Doctor’s offices for a variety of different ailments and are seen every day across the country. When they are presented with humor they were typically found to have been able to decrease their stress levels, thus helping with the immune
