Laughter Therapy; pursuit of happiness and long life

Laughter Therapy

The sound of roaring laughter is far more contagious than any cough, sniffle, or sneeze. Humor and laughter can cause a domino effect of joy and amusement, as well as set off a number of positive physical effects.

As mentioned before, humor and laughter strengthen our immune systems and help us recover from illness, as well as bring joy into our lives. Laughing relaxes the body and reduces problems associated with high blood pressure, strokes, arthritis, and ulcers. Some research suggests that laughter may also reduce the risk of heart disease. Historically, research has shown that distressing emotions (depression, anger, anxiety, and stress) are all related to heart disease.

A study done at the University of Maryland Medical Center suggests that a good sense of humor and the ability to laugh at stressful situations helps mitigate the damaging physical effects of distressing emotions.

In essence frequent spontaneous laughs

reduce stress
lower blood pressure
elevate mood
boost immune system
improve brain functioning
protect the heart
connect you to others
improve physical, emotional and spiritual health
have many social rewards such as, 'laughter binds us all together as one family'.
foster instant relaxation
make us feel good.


The question is, how do we gain access to this priceless medicine?

The answer is "Laughter Therapy".

Laughter therapy is not a new idea. People have known this for centuries. Nevertheless, it is more important today than ever. The stress of our daily life has left no time for us to laugh. It is true and it is not a laughing matter that we have succumbed to daily pressure so badly that we just don't have enough few minutes to laugh.

It is not wrong to say that people who don't laugh enough are sick. That includes everyone of us. That is why (just like any other sickness), now there are therapies to make us laugh.


Types of laugh therapy:

There is well documented and ongoing research in this field of study (Psych Nurse 2004). This has led to new and beneficial therapies practiced by doctors, psychiatrists, and other mental health professionals using humor and laughter to help patients cope or treat a variety of physical, mental, and spiritual issues. The various therapies are not specific to health care professionals or clinicians. Some of the therapies can be practiced individually or in a group setting to aid in a person's well-being.


There seems to be something to the old saying "laughter is the best medicine".

Or perhaps, as stated by Voltaire,

"The art of medicine consists of keeping the patient amused while nature heals the disease."

Here are the few therapies which one must seek to enjoy a long and healthy life.

1. Humor Therapy:

It is also known as therapeutic humor. Using humorous materials such as books, shows, movies, or stories to encourage spontaneous discussion of the patients' own humorous experiences. This can be provided individually or in a group setting. The process is facilitated by clinician.

2.Clown Therapy:

Individuals that are trained in clown therapy, proper hygiene and hospital procedures. In some hospitals "clown rounds" are made. The clowns perform for others with the use of magic, music, fun, joy, and compassion. For hospitalized children, clown therapy can increase patient cooperation and decrease parental & patient anxiety. In some children the need for sedation is reduced. Other benefits include pain reduction and the increased stimulation of immune function in children. This use of clown therapy is not limited to hospitals. They can transform other places where things can be tough such as nursing homes, orphanages, refugee camps, war zones, and even prisons. The presence of clowns tends to have a positive effect.

3. Laughter Triggers Therapy:

"Clients' laughter triggers" are identified such as people in their lives, things from childhood, situations, movies, jokes, comedians, etc. that make them laugh. Based on the information provided by the client, the clinician creates a personal humor profile to aid in the laughter therapy. In this one on one setting, the client is taught basic exercises that can be practiced. The intent of the exercises is to remind the importance of relationships and social support. It is important the clinician is sensitive to what the client perceives as humorous.

4. Laughter Meditation:

In laughter meditation there are some similarities to traditional meditation. However, it is the laughter that focuses the person to concentrate on the moment. Through a three stage process of stretching, laughing, and a period of meditative silence. In the first stage, the person places all energy into the stretching every muscle without laughter. In the second stage, the person starts with a gradual smile, and then slowly begins to purposely belly laugh. In the final stage, the person abruptly stops laughing, then with their eyes now closed they breathe without a sound and focus their concentration on the moment. The process is approximately a 15 minute exercise. This may be awkward for some people as the laughter is not necessarily spontaneous. This is generally practiced on an individual basis.

5. Laughter Yoga:

Somewhat similar to traditional yoga, laughter yoga is an exercise which incorporates breathing, yoga, stretching techniques along with laughter. The structured format includes several laughter exercises for a period of 30 to 45 minutes facilitated by a trained individual. Practiced it can be used as supplemental or preventative therapy. Laughter yoga can be performed in a group or a club.

6. Therapeutic laughter (comedy) clubs:

These are extension of Laughter Yoga, but in a formalized club format. The need for humorous materials is not necessarily required. Laughter clubs are similar to yogic asana and the practice of Buddhist forced laughter. As stated earlier, some participants may find it awkward as laughter is not necessarily spontaneous in the structured format.

Laugh therapy does not need a structural setting all the time. We can create our own opportunities for the laughter. It is very easy. This is how it is done.

Here are the 10 tips for creating opportunities to laugh:


1. Watch comedy DVD's and TV shows. Remember classics like the Marx Brothers and the Three Stooges.

2. Listen to comedy while driving.

3. Read comic authors.

4. Seek out funny people. Company of humorous people is our life line. While we are seeking people with good sense of humor, we MUST, at the same time, avoid people who drag us down emotionally.

5. Spend as little time as possible with overly serious people (boring people).

6. Bring humor into conversations. Ask people, "What's the funniest thing that happened to you today? This week? In your life?"

7. Be creative and create your own humorous jokes.

8. Make a habit of telling one joke (at least) every day to your family and friend.

9. In a party, volunteer to become a stand up comedian. Everyone will love you for this. You will become famous instantaneously.

10. Don't appear to be a serious or boring person. Smile when you meet anyone. You will be surprised how contagious just a little smile is.

In the next blog we will discuss "Drugs for Recreation.

Question is: Do we really need drugs for recreation?

For question and comments write to: syedshahidmd@yahoo.com