Laughter Therapy- What is it and how does it work?

Laughter is good for emotional and physical health. But there are doubts whether he is able to heal diseases.

Humor helps canus to improve relationships with each other and relieve stress. But while children laugh up to 400 times a day, adults tend to laugh only 15 times. In this regard, psychological trainings are quite popular, in which people gather in groups and feign fun.

What is laughter therapy and how did it appear?

Laughter therapy (also gelototherapy, from the Greek “gelos” - “laughter”) is a psychotherapeutic therapy practice that is designed to help the patient better understand himself, his behavior and mood. Some researchers considerhave explored its form of cognitive behavioral therapy .

Supporters of laughter therapy claim, that it helps to improve emotional and physical well-being, more effectively resolve problematic issues, broaden horizons and become spiritually enriched.

Fundamentals of the scientific discipline of helotology (from Greek - "the science of laughter") laid downin the 1960s by the American psychiatrist William Fry from Stanford University.

For the first time about the cure with laughter, spokethe American journalist Norman Cousins, also in the 60s of the XX century. He was diagnosed with collagen disease (collagenosis) and spondylitis (inflammation of the spine ). Cousins ​​has always been an optimist and believed that emotions determine a person's health. He began to fight back pain with large doses of vitamin C and watching funny TV shows and comedies - and this helped. Based on his experience, Norman wrote bookThe Anatomy of a Disease as Perceived by a Patient. He lived to the age of 75 and died in 1990.

Today, the International Society for Humor Studies (ISHS) and the Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor (AATH) are studying the impact of humor on human health.

There are several directionslaughter therapies:

Classical - gelotologists tell jokes at sessions, offer lists of comedies , read humorous stories, and so on. Laughter therapy as part of another independent method or author's technique: breathing exercises (reflex laughter), tickling, artificial smile, meditation and laughter yoga.

Medical (hospital) clowning - Humorous representationartists for children who are on long-term treatment. Since laughter is associated with humor and wit, some proponents of helototherapy sharehave therapeutic and non-therapeutic humor. This means that therapeutic laughter is inherently positive : for example, when we are amused by an absurd situation that happened to us. Such emotions in theory helpgive a person a better understanding of himself and the world around him, give him a positive experience. An example of non-therapeutic humor is a situation where laughing at someone becomes a means of bullying and is based on aggression.

It is also common opinionthat our brains are unable to distinguish between natural (humor-induced) laughter and artificial laughter . Based on this, for example, under constructionthe practice of laughter yoga.

Is there evidence for the effectiveness of laughter therapy?

Scientists have found that this practice has a number of positive effects on the body. Even William Fry in his first experiments found , that during laughter, immune cells are activated in the body. This confirm is modern research. It has also been proven that laughter in patients with atopic dermatitis helpsis less responsive to allergens .

There are other established positive effects. So, laughter contributes to decreasepain, blocksproduction of the stress hormone cortisol, as well as adrenaline, which can increase the risk of developing hypertension and heart failure, promoteslowering blood pressure and, accordingly, reduces the likelihood of cardiovascular disease, stimulates productionendorphins, makeswork the muscles of the diaphragm, abs, shoulders, and also arranges a good workout for the heart, allowsburn 2 to 10 kilocalories in 10–15 minutes, saturatesthe body with oxygen, which contributes to better brain function.

Laughter has a positive impact on our emotional and mental health in addition to its physiological benefits. It promotes gives a greater sense of happiness, allows you to express hidden emotions and look at problems easier, distracts from anger, guilt and other negative feelings.

Laughter and humor are also help in learning, contributing to better memorization and greater disposition towards the teacher. The same can be said about treatment. Held in 1977, as an experiment, comedy performances for seriously ill children in New York were so successful that this method began to be used all over the world. He helpschildren adapt to hospital conditions and easier to endure painful treatment. 

There are some very unusual side effects of using humor for healing. For example, laughter therapy allowsto psychotherapists protect themselves from professional burnout. Despite the fact that there are numerous scientific papers on the positive effects of laughter in general and laughter therapy in particular, attitudes toward this practice remain cautious. Researchers complain that experiments proving its effectiveness are often conflicting . For example, in the case of Norman Cousins opinion, the journalist had an acute attack of arthritis , which resolved naturally, so there was no cure for laughter.

It is also worth mentioning that the positive effect hasis not humor in general, but its individual components. Therefore, positive changes can occur only with the skillful use of laughter therapy, and there are very few competent specialists in this field.

So for now, let's talk about the 100% proven positive effect of the impact of laughter therapy don't have to. And in any case, before turning to such a practice, you need to understand that laughter therapy is one oneof the types of alternative treatment. It should be used only as an addition to conventional medical methods, and not as a substitute for them. The most correct decision would be to consult with a specialist - a psychologist or a doctor.

How to laugh more?

It is probably not worth waiting for miraculous healing from laughter therapy, but the opportunity to benefit from humor and laughter is better not to be neglected. And for this it is not at all necessary to look for a laughter therapist. Here are some tips to bring more fun into your life.

> Pick upitems that make you happy. It can be photos, comics, memes, postcards, toys, whatever. Place them where you spend a lot of time, such as your workplace.

> Stock up on funny magazines, websites, movies , or videos to refer to when you need humor (or just in your spare time).

> Try to laugh at yourself, look at problems as an absurd coincidence. For example, come up with a funny story about an embarrassing situation you're in and tell your friends about it.

> Date people you have fun with. Save a couple of anecdotes or funny stories before that.

> Go to a stand-up club or to a comedy movie. Studies show showthat group laughter is even more beneficial than individual laughter.

> Feign a smile and laughter if you are not afraid of frightened looks. You can’t get a positive effect from humor without laughter, but apparently from laughter without humor Can.

> Laugh yourself and make others laugh, but do not go too far. If a sparkling joke humiliates or offends someone , then it is better to do without it.