Nothing seems funny when grief and trauma come barreling into life. Yet the psychological and physiological benefits of laughter have been researched and documented. Laughter promotes healing by:

• Reducing feelings of anxiety and depression
• Increasing levels of endorphins (happy hormone)
• Improving blood pressure, breath rate and heart health
• Strengthening the immune system
  

Tips

• Add comedy channels to your radio line-up
• Watch comedians live, on YouTube or television
• Surround yourself with funny people (children & animals can work well)
• Buy a bright orange Laffy Laffalot Toy to induce a daily chuckle
• Check out a class in Laughter Yoga

Jim Gaffigan (McDonald's)

Jeanne Robertson (Bungee Jumping)

Resources

Books

• My Husband Is Not a Rainbow: The Brutally Awful, Hilarious Truth about Life, Love, Grief, and Loss by Kelley Lynn
• The Laughing Cure: Emotional and Physical Healing—A Comedian Reveals Why Laughter Really Is the Best Medicine by Brian King
• Would You Rather…? Over 200 Absolutely Absurd Dilemmas to Ponder by Justin Heimberg and David Gomberg Games and Toys

Games & Toys

• Laffy Laffalot by Steve Islava (toy for children and adults)
• Would You Rather…? The Game of Mind-Boggling Questions by Zobmondo!! (board game for kids and adults twelve and up)

Organizations

• American School of Laughter Yoga  – Laughter clubs, conferences, and professional trainings.
• Laughter Yoga International  – Laughter articles, blogs, books, CDs, DVDS, and videos.

 

How can you integrate laughter into your healing journey?

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K ~ Know Your New Environment | A2Z Toolbox | M ~ Meditation