I am thankful that I haven't lost my sense of humour and my ability to believe things can be better, nonetheless the heavy cloud that has been darkening the Portuguese Education System (whatever that might be) for the past few long years... I'm thankful that I can still smile, not only because I have teeth, but mainly because it's the most powerful weapon to knock down those roller coaster-like days! Yep! I've just had a bad day!... However, today is Thanksgiving Day! Therefore, I'm grateful that I have had the chance to overcome a dreadful day like yesterday and feel the spirit of gratitude today! And I am grateful for my life! I definitely am! How about you?
April is National Humor Month, so this is the perfect time to add a little humor into your daily routine. Founded in 1976 by author and humorist Larry Wilde, the original idea was to heighten public awareness of the therapeutic and restorative values of joy and laughter. After all, many studies have shown that laughter can actually improve our health. And laughter is fun! After all, you can't feel sad or angry when you're laughing, right?
The fact is that laughter itself changes us physiologically. Like exercise or waving your arms around, it boosts the heart rate and increases blood flow, so we breathe faster and more oxygen is delivered to the body's tissues. Our facial muscles stretch and we actually burn calories when we're laughing. In fact, the mere act of smiling can alter your mood almost immediately. Of course, there are always skeptics out there, like that cranky co-worker across the way or that grumpy relative you try to avoid at the holidays. But here are a few fun facts that you might want to mention to them:
Laughter Reduces Stress: When stressed, we produce a hormone called cortisol. Laughter can significantly reduce cortisol levels.
Laughter Can Reduce Pain: Laughter causes us to produce endorphins, which are natural, pain-killing hormones.
Laughter Strengthens the Immune System: A hearty laugh decreases stress hormones and increases production of T-cells, immune proteins and infection-fighting antibodies.
Laughter Helps the Heart: When we laugh we increase blood flow and the function of blood vessels, which can help prevent cardiovascular problems.
Laughter Relaxes the Whole Body: One good belly laugh can relieve physical tension and relax your muscles for up to 45 minutes.
Laughter Helps You Recharge: By reducing stress levels and increasing your energy, laughter can help you focus and achieve more.
So, not only is a great giggle a lot of fun, it's good for you! And like yawning, laughter can also be contagious. So by opening yourself up to more humor in your daily life, you may also have a positive effect on those around you. And the great thing about humor is that there is a bottomless supply out there. You don't need to sign up for anything. It doesn't cost a thing. It's fat-free and you can have as much of it as you like. So, to get your giggles started, follow this LINK to watch a slideshow of some hilarious video clips.
Many artists today use Romeo and Juliet as inspiration for their works. They even add some twist to the story to add humour to it. What if Romeo had lived in our times? Would this be Romeo and Juliet's true story?
Due to nearly simultaneous news on Neil Armstrong's death (Aug 25) and Lance Armstrong's ending fight against doping charges (Aug 23), many people have been misleading the two names, especially on social networks, like Facebook or Twitter. Hence this cartoon by Rico Schacherl, one of the best I have ever seen: 'According to TWITTER, that's the guy who cycled to the Moon seven times and then got busted for doping! / Dude... Where's his bike?' Saint Peter's reaction and Neil Armstrong facial expression are simply amazing!... From my point of view, humour is one of the most effective ways to pay tribute to the ones we cherish and respect, besides being a balsam to our soul!... People don't forget what made them laugh and feel happy!... (Black humour is not considered in this reasoning).
"April is National Humor Month and was founded in 1976 by Larry Wilde, best-selling humorist. According to Wilde, National Humor Month is designed to heighten public awareness on how laughter can improve health, boost morale, and enrich a person’s quality of life. Did you know laughter reduces stress hormones like cortisol and ephinephrine while also increasing the levels of health, enhancing hormones like endorphins, and neurotransmitters? Psychology Today reports that laughter often defuses anger and anxiety; and much like yawning laughter is contagious. Not a believer? I pretty much dare you to look at Baby Micah laughing hysterically and not laugh out loud!...
Aside from a strong immune system, laughter works the diaphragm, provides an emotional release, and it connects us with others. There is an intimate bond that develops between people who can share a good laugh. In truth, sharing a hearty giggle can keep things in perspective, draw attention away from negative emotion and empower us to refocus our attention and move forward. Humor fun fact: Did you know that women, on average, laugh about 126 percent more times than men? I’m not rushing to conclusions, but that could be why we have a longer life span. Wink! No matter what the month of April typically means for you, make the decision to laugh more, stress less and enjoy life’s little blessings along the way."
«Not a word, no!... It's one of those things, really...
I should have paid more attention in school, you know...»
A very funny way to lecture the unit 'A world of many languages', particularly the issue 'the British accent', for instance; or simply a moment of humour at the end of the lesson, minutes before the bell rings... Last, but not least, enjoy this 'Keep calm and...' phrasal template version:
pic via Google Images
Tip:
Show your students the picture above and challenge them for a British vs American accent contest... Would their answer be 'Challenge accepted' or 'Challenge denied'?
Another suggestion, this time for 11th form students!...
Topic - New technologies
Well, I believe all of us know how important it is to use humour in our classes... I´ve introduced the topic New Technology with this videoclip and the students, obviously, loved it!... They had to comment on the content, as well as, on what made that video such a blast!... It was a funny and entertaining moment... But most important, it made them speak... in English, of course!...
