See the Lighter Side of Life: Humor and Laugh Therapy

Humor / Laugh Therapy

Benefits of Humor and Laugh Therapy

Promotes Psychological Well-being & Improves Quality of Life
Improves Relationships Builds Group Identity & Solidarity
Enhances Mental Functioning & Memory
Reduce Stress, Tension, Anxiety & Counteracts Depressive Systems
Exercises & Relaxes Muscles
Improves Respiration & Circulation
Increases Immune System Defense
Elevates Pain Threshold & Tolerance

Ways to help yourself see the LIGHTER side of life:

Laugh at yourself. Share your embarrassing moments. The best way to take yourself less seriously is to talk about times when you took yourself too seriously.

Attempt to laugh at situations rather than bemoan them. Look for the humor in a bad situation, and uncover the irony and absurdity of life. This will help improve your mood and the mood of those around you.

Surround yourself with reminders to lighten up. Keep a toy on your desk or in your car. Put up a funny poster in your office. Choose a computer screensaver that makes you laugh. Frame photos of you and your family or friends having fun.

Keep things in perspective. Many things in life are beyond your control—particularly the behavior of other people. While you might think taking the weight of the world on your shoulders is admirable, in the long run it’s unrealistic, unproductive, unhealthy, and even egotistical.

Deal with your stress. Stress is a major impediment to humor and laughter.

Pay attention to children and emulate them. They are the experts on playing, taking life lightly, and laughing.