Therapeutic Laughter

Therapeutic laughter or healing laughter may sound frivolous and absurd on the surface, but this is being taken very seriously in many medical circles. Years ago Norman Cousins wrote Anatomy Of An Illness on which a movie was made. This recounts his recovery from a life threatening disease through natural healing, part of which was watching old comedies. In fact, laugh classes are turning up in many medical centers around the world.

Medical Humor

There is an increasing amount of research that has been done that attributes laughter to relaxing muscle tension and improving the immune system. In fact, laughter therapy classes are becoming more prevalent at treatment and wellness centers. Laughter has been found to reduce stress and open blood vessels.

World Laughter Tour is an International Clearing House for information and news on therapeutic laughter. You can find much information on the benefits of laughter and humor for both mental and physical health, and the creation of mind-body balance.

Laughter Clubs

In the 1990’s Dr. Madan Kataria started laughter fitness groups in public parks in India. These “park laughs” have now spread throughout the world. You can find additional resources from the International Society for Humor Studies, the Association of Applied and Therapeutic Humor, as well as the National Speakers Association.

According to Elizabeth Taylor, faculty member at Seattle’s Bastyr University, “a belly laugh increases the ability of your immune system to fight infections.” She goes on to say “Laughter is the power of positive healing. I’ve seen it work best for people with losses—death, divorce, a job, for example. Humor is a tool to empower people to move forward. It helps them improve their quality of life, to take better care of themselves.”

From my own experience working with children with mental health challenges, I have found therapeutic laughter very rewarding. Some children have been so damaged at an early age, that they have forgotten how to enjoy the simplest activities and tasks. Taking life too seriously, no matter the reasons, has a detrimental effect on us physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Let us do what is necessary to “lighten up”, and make a positive difference for ourselves and for those around us. Click here for the Transforming Child Behavior Home Page.

When done reviewing Therapeutic Laughter, click here to return to the Child Health page.

SBI!