| King
Solomon gave us one of the earliest recorded accounts regarding
the healing power of humor and laughter. In the 1300’s,
surgeon Henri de Mondeville reportedly told jokes to his patients
in the recovery room. In the 1600’s, educator Richard
Mulcater recommended laughter for those suffering from head
colds.
Throughout
the centuries, court jesters have been hired to relieve the
royalty’s stress from governmental duties.
| “A
cheerful heart is good medicine.” - King Solomon
(Proverbs 17:22) |
In
1964, Dr. Cousins was diagnosed with a crippling and extremely
painful inflammation of his body. With his physician’s
assistance, he checked out of the hospital and into a hotel
to utilize as many natural resources as possible to treat
his condition. Dr. Cousins had a strong will to live and knew
if he focused on love and faith, he could generate positive
emotions. He decided to experiment with laughter to create
a positive factor in altering his body chemistry to be in
a healing mode. He later wrote, “I made the joyous discovery
that ten minutes of genuine belly laughter had an anesthetic
effect and would give me at least two hours of pain-free sleep.”
He recovered from this condition and spent the next 20 years
teaching about the merits of laughter and humor in healing.
Experts
now agree that laughter:
-Is good for you
-Boosts your immune system
-Can be shared
-Relieves tension
-Benefits the mind, body and spirit
-Is free!
What
are the Differences Between Laughter and Humor?
Laughter is innate, and you are born with your giggles. You
have unique sounds of laughter.
Laughter
is energy that can be shared, because there is not a stimulus
that has to accompany it that is inclusive of others. Humor
however, is subjective and not always shared.
In
summary, laughter is innate and can be shared. Humor is learned
and isn’t always appreciated by more than the interpreter.
There has to be an intellectual connection as well.
| “Laughter
is the shortest distance between two people.”
- Victor Borge |
For
the purpose of applying laughter to your daily life and the
healing of your mind, body, and spirit, think of humor as
the brain waves jumpstarting your laughter.
Finally,
spend time daily practicing laughing out loud. Maybe smile
first, then lean into a giggle, and then outright belly laugh.
Now move beyond thinking about laughter and humor. Go ahead
. . . it’s safe . . . you can do it . . . ready, get
set, laugh!
By
Lynn Shaw, laughter therapist. For more information visit:
www.SelfHealingExpressions.com
or www.lynnshaw.com.
|
