BALANCING LIFE’S ISSUES Lightening Your Life with Laughter

Objectives What is Stress? Laughter Therapy Facts About Laughter Self-Esteem Benefits of Laughter How to Laugh More

What is Stress? Individual/family “Fight or flight” Physical symptoms Mental symptoms Learning to handle stress is a skill

Laughter Therapy Releases tension/pain Speeds healing – both mental and physical Expresses emotion – gets us un-stuck Increases self-esteem/self confidence Gives us a new way to look at situations Laughing together brings us closer; encourages teamwork Helps us think “out of the box” Strengthens the immune system Is 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 skill It changes your body chemistry It makes other people like you and want to help you It is a cathartic part of the healing process Promotes creativity, learning, resiliency Combats the “fight or flight” response

Self -Esteem Get 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 Books I’d Rather Laugh…………Linda Richman Laughing All They way….. Marlo Thomas The Healing power of humor…. Dr. Allen Klein Tapes Patch Adams My Big Fat Greek Wedding Sitcoms Original Candid Camera Surrounding yourself with people who love to laugh Teaching others

BALANCING LIFE’S ISSUES 11 Lightening Your Life with Laughter