HUMOR THERAPY

Laughing is found to lower blood pressure, reduce stress hormones, increase muscle flexion, and boost immune
function by raising levels of infection-fighting T-cells, disease-fighting proteins called Gamma-interferon and
B-cells, which produce disease-destroying antibodies. Laughter also triggers the release of endorphins, the
body's natural painkillers, and produces a general sense of well-being.

Laughter is infectious. Hospitals around the country are incorporating formal and informal laughter therapy
programs into their therapeutic regimens. In countries such as India, laughing clubs -- in which participants
gather in the early morning for the sole purpose of laughing -- are becoming as popular as Rotary Clubs in the
United States.

Humor is a universal language. It's a contagious emotion and a natural diversion. It brings other people in and
breaks down barriers. Best of all it is free and has no known side reactions.

Humor is a wonderful stress-reducer and antidote to upsets. It is clinically proven to be effective in combating
stress, although the exact mechanism is not known. Experts say a good laugh relaxes tense muscles, speeds
more oxygen into your system and lowers your blood pressure. So tune into your favorite sitcom on television.
Read a funny book. Call a friend and chuckle for a few minutes. It even helps to force a laugh once in a while.
You'll find your stress melting away almost instantly. Americans were attracted to humor from the stories of
Norman Cousins, who had successfully overcome cancer by watching comedy shows on television. These days,
there are organized humor meetings even in places like India where laughing in public is not considered good
manner.

Dr. Lee Berk and fellow researcher Dr. Stanley Tan at Loma Linda University School of Medicine, has produced
carefully controlled studies showing that the experience of laughter lowers serum cortisol levels, increases the
amount of activated T lymphocytes, increases the number and activity of natural killer cells, and increases the
number of T cells that have helper/ suppresser receptors. In short, laughter stimulates the immune system,
off-setting the immunosuppressive effects of stress.

We know that, during stress, the adrenal gland releases corticosteroids (quickly converted to cortisol in the
blood stream) and that elevated levels of these have an immunosuppressive effect. Berk's research
demonstrates that laughter can lower cortisol levels and thereby protect our immune system.

The emotions and moods we experience directly effect our immune system. A sense of humor allows us to
perceive and appreciate the incongruities of life and provides moments of joy and delight. These positive
emotions can create neurochemical changes that will buffer the immunosuppressive effects of stress.

In his book, ' Stress without Distress,' Selye suggested that a person's interpretation of stress is not dependent
solely on an external event, but also depends upon the perception of the event and the meaning he or she
gives it. So, how you look at a situation determines if you will respond to it as threatening or challenging.

Humor gives us a different perspective on our problems. If we can make light out of the situation, it is no
longer threatening to us. We already discounted its effect. With such an attitude of detachment, we feel a
sense of self-protection and control in our environment. Bill Cosby is fond of saying, "If you can laugh at it, you
can survive it."

It's sometimes difficult to force a laugh in tense situations. But that's precisely when you need it most. One
trick for finding humor in the worst of situations is to blow things absolutely, ridiculously out of proportion.
When your scenario reaches the point of absurdity, you begin to smile. The situation is put in perspective. Now
you can calm down.

What is humor therapy?

Humor therapy (sometimes called therapeutic humor) uses the power of smiles and laughter to aid healing.
Humor therapy helps you find ways to make yourself (or others) smile and laugh more. When you think of
humor therapy, picture clowns in the children's ward of a hospital cheering up sick children. Some hospitals
now have humor carts that provide funny materials for people of any age. Many nurses have learned the value
of providing a good laugh to those they care for.
Scientists have been researching the relation between the mind and the body, especially in connection with
the body's ability to heal (a field called psychoneuroimmunology). Laughter appears to change brain chemistry
and may boost the immune system.

Humor may allow a person to feel in control of a situation and make it seem manageable. It allows people to
release fears, anger, and stress, all of which can harm the body over time. Humor improves the quality of life.

What is humor therapy used for?

Anyone can use humor therapy, either preventively or as part of treatment for any disease. People commonly
use it in the treatment of long-term (chronic) diseases, especially those that are made worse by stress (such as
heart disease and asthma). Chronic diseases can often have a negative effect on mood and attitude, which can
make the disease worse. Humor therapy helps decrease the negative effects of feeling unhealthy, out of
control, afraid, or helpless, which are common problems for those with cancer or chronic diseases.

Humor therapy is also valuable as a preventive measure for the caregivers of people with chronic diseases.
Caregivers are at high risk of becoming sick themselves, and humor therapy can help release the stress that
comes from being a caregiver. Caregivers and those they care for can practice humor therapy together, and
they both are likely to have better health as a result.

Is humor therapy safe?

Humor therapy is completely safe. Your doctor is likely to approve of any efforts you make to use humor
therapy, even if he or she is not aware of any medical benefits that may result. Since it is also inexpensive,
risk-free, and readily available, there is little reason not to try practicing humor therapy.

Always tell your doctor if you are using an alternative therapy or if you are thinking about combining an
alternative therapy with your conventional medical treatment. It may not be safe to forgo your conventional
medical treatment and rely only on an alternative therapy.