BALANCING LIFE’S ISSUES

Lightening Your Life with Laughter

Objectives

What is Stress?Laughter TherapyFacts About LaughterSelf-EsteemBenefits of LaughterHow to Laugh More

What is Stress?

Individual/family“Fight or flight”Physical symptomsMental symptomsLearning to handle stress is a skill

Laughter Therapy

Releases tension/painSpeeds healing – both mental and physicalExpresses emotion – gets us un-stuckIncreases self-esteem/self confidenceGives us a new way to look at situationsLaughing together brings us closer; encourages

teamworkHelps us think “out of the box”Strengthens the immune systemIs based on medical research – proven effective

Facts About Laughter

It’s contagious – hard-wired into our nervous systems

It doesn’t come from happiness – we feel happy because we laugh, not the other way around

Frequent laughter is a learned skillIt changes your body chemistry It makes other people like you and want to help youIt is a cathartic part of the healing processPromotes creativity, learning, resiliencyCombats the “fight or flight” response

Self -EsteemGet in touch with your

feelings: Art – express yourself! Journal – notice what you’re

thinking Self-assessment/self-talk The Little Engine that Could Raise the sky – feel the pride

Benefits of Laughter

Dissolves tension, reduce conflict, brings out warm feelings

Laughter is a cardio-vascular exercise –increases heart rate and blood pressure initially, then drops them – increases flexibility

Diaphragm squeezes abdomen – internal organs get massaged

Gulps in air and then sends it out at 70 mph – great exercise for your respiratory system

Increases beta endorphins (the feel-good hormones)

Reduces the stress hormone cortisol, which lowers the immune system, aggravates arthritis, slows healing

It’s free, no Rx needed, have as much as you want

How to Laugh More

Take control of your feelings

Enjoy and learn from your problems

Charlie Chaplin – take the pain and play with it

Laugh about the unlaughable

Surround yourself with useful, positive materials/people

Plan and prioritize your life

Ways to Laugh More

Laugh in front of a mirror for 15 seconds – until your belly shakes

Wear bright colors

Do laughter exercises:

• Pretend to conduct music; Mental floss; Evil Genius

Stand up straight – look alert (mind follows your body)

Even if you have to fake it – ACT HAPPY!!!

Resources

BooksI’d Rather Laugh…………Linda Richman

Laughing All They way….. Marlo Thomas

The Healing power of humor…. Dr. Allen Klein

TapesPatch Adams

My Big Fat Greek Wedding

SitcomsOriginal Candid Camera

Surrounding yourself with people who love to laugh

Teaching others

BALANCING LIFE’S ISSUES

11

Lightening Your Life with Laughter