AUCD - Plenary C, Part 2 - Why So Serious? How the Science of Laughter May Save Your Life
<< Back to ProgramWednesday, December 5, 2012 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Location: Columbia 5-8
Session Description
Working in the disability field can be stressful. Grants, research, publishing, delivering services, conducting training, and the perpetual worry about policy changes and shrinking funding can all take their toll in terms of mental and physical health. This interactive presentation will highlight the effects of lifestyle stress on cognitive and social functioning, and will review the research-based evidence for using laughter and relaxation as an antidote to stress. Attendees will practice several methods of laughter and relaxation that participants can add to their stress management toolbox and potentially incorporate into their workplace culture.
Featured Presenter(s)
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Matt Wappett is the Associate Director of the Center on Disabilities and Human Development at the University of Idaho. He has worked with teachers across the state of Idaho for the past two years to understand the effects of stress physiology on the learning and behavior of students. Matt also teaches mindfulness based stress reduction to students and is the advisor for the University of Idaho Laughter Club.