Patient laughter therapy is now recognized because of the facts that patients who maintain a positive mental attitude and who share humor and laughter respond better to treatment. Humor and laughter can have powerful effect on the body, mind and spirit.
We are all born with the miracle gift of laughter. Laughter is the best and most natural medicine. It raises our spirits and makes us feel happy. It is contagious and makes us feel and well.
Patient therapy - what is it?
Patient Laughter therapy relieves physical and emotional stress. Research endorses the therapeutic value of laughter.
Humor and laughter have long been used in the field of medicine. As early as the 13th century, surgeons used humor to distract patients from pain.
In the 20th century, Norman Cousins ( see my web page 'Norman Cousins Laughter Cure' ) used laughter to cure himself from a very serious illness, which they told him he would die from. Instead, he cured himself with laughter.
Researchers have concluded that periods of laughter do reduce pain, reduce stress, and boost the immune system.
Medical journals acknowledge that laughter patient therapy can improve quality of life for patients suffering with chronic illness. Many medical facilities offer laughter therapy to complement traditional treatment of illnesses.
Laughter can make you feel better about yourself and the environment around you. When you laugh, it disperses all other thoughts, such as pain and stress.
Norman Cousins found that 10 minutes of laughter gave him 2 hours of pain-free time.
Laughter patient therapy also helps
Being hospitalized, separated from family and friends, unfamiliar and evasive procedures, all contribute to create stress, anxiety, depression, anger, panic, loneliness and discomfort for the hospitalized person.
All the negative emotions cause changes that are harmful to the body, which can be eased with humor and laughter. Humor and laughter are truly the shock absorbers of life.
Even in history, we find mention of healing powers of humor and laughter. The ancient Greek physicians prescribed for their patients to visit the hall of comedians. Physicians would send patients to the theater to be entertained as part of the healing process.
Early Native Americans had clowns who worked with witch doctors. They too realized the powerful effects of humor and laughter. The third most important person in the tribe was the clown.
It would seem that we have rediscovered what was practiced in the past!