Laughter Therapy, Part II

There is so much written and researched on Humor and laughter therapy but most were based on what will cause one to laugh. However in the last post, we mentioned one type of laughter therapy with a video clip where there is nothing externally to stimulate the laughter. So I've tried laughter yoga and joined a laughter yoga club in my area for a few months and stopped when the weekly schedule at night interfered with my work hours. Once you do the HoHoHaHaHa for a minute or so, it ispossible to laugh for a while. But I do urge you to stop after 5 or 6 minutes and take a couple of deep breaths.  There are now laughter yoga clubs in 60 countries and the latest from Dr.Kateria is his plan to start a Laughter University in India!

Make it a goal not to take yourself so seriously. Own a joke book and watch silly comedies like Laurel and Hardy. One word of caution - don't laugh at someone (comediennes are an exception) but with them. Perhaps, you could even write a joke yourself.  Even in the animal kingdom, they laugh. Check out the kookaburras from Sydney, Australia.

If you noticed the last verse of the Kookaburra song, it shows that we are uncomfortable with the laugh and want the bird to cry but it is not in its nature  to do so. And neither is it in true human nature to be sad and weepy!!

 If you want to know how laughing helps your physical, emotional and mental health, then please click the archives on this page for July 2008 and there are several posts with details.

I have interviewed someone who started a 2 man team that goes and does juggling and comedy skits for groups and organizations. If you subscribe to my blog, you could hear that interview with Gene Monterastelli, an EFT practitioner!
I always like to receive your comments and questions, which will determine if I write more on a particular topic. As for now this will conclude the laughter aspect of RET (Revitalizing Energy Therapy!.
Laugh to be healthy!
PC Nicholas

RET - Laughter

 In Revitalizing Energy Therapies, I do include humor and laughter therapy to help you sustain a joyful spirit as healing works quickly and the body bounces back well from traumas, when we are able to be joyful. Here is one that I have found quite helpful!


 Laughter Therapy has a number of sources, one of which is Laughter Yoga, started by Dr Maden Kateria
It does not employ jokes, funny situations or comedies. So how do you laugh without any reason or provocation. Well, you choose to open your mouth and start to laugh. Kateria has called it laughter for no reason. Yet the effects of this laughter has been proven very beneficial to all our body systems, which I have gone into detail in older posts on this blog.

Laughter Therapy is certainly easier to do in a group. But it can be done when you're alone. In the next post, I will give you some suggestions to jump-start the laughter when you're alone! This video clip is from Dr Madan Kateria. Enjoy! PC Nicholas

Wishing You a Breathtaking and Breathgiving New Year

I left you last year with the back of the empower-you postcard mentioning RET or Revitalizing Energy Therapies. I said that in the New Year I will explain a little further of what RET comprises of. 
Well, RET is breathtaking and breath-giving. It involves the main ingredients of Energy Therapies that I've found harmonized  and blended with each other.

There are definitely more energy therapies than what I've used but these are what I found work well either individually or in combination.They are Eden Energy Medicine, Energy Psychology & EFT, Qigong, Laughter Therapy, Forgiveness Therapy and Gratitude Therapy. The main common element that runs through all these is the Breath Work which is the literal translation of Qigong. RET is breathtaking in another sense which is - results are achieved at such a relatively short time and the thoroughness of the results are also breathtaking.

In the next few posts, I will try to explain the individual therapies, but unless you experience the effect, you might not appreciate it. That is why, in the third week of January, there will be a 2 hour class akin to a study group dealing with the basic aspects of Energy Medicine which will also include some elements of Energy Psychology, Qigong , laughter and forgiveness therapy. So as not to overwhelm the participants, it will be given over the course of 3 months, 2 hours each month and practice, practice,practice between each monthly classes. There is a limit of 25 persons per class. Some of my former clients will be there, as now they are free from their "problems" and want to learn more.

Till the next post, make this year be full of possibilities!
PC Nicholas

50 laughs A Day keeps the Doc Away!

  Forget about "an apple a day keeps the doc Away" Try Laughter instead!

So I hope you had at least about a dozen laughs yesterday. Today, we will see how  laughter affected your body. One of my readers commented that he laughed sometimes by himself. That is what Laughter Therapy is all about. Dr. Kateria from Mumbai, who started Laughter Clubs found that laughing without reason is the only way to sustain daily laughter. In India, people meet in the parks for half an hour laughter exercise before going to work. I must admit, it is quite a challenge to do it by oneself especially if others around are not aware of what you're doing or why you're doing it? However, not laughing daily had its negative consequences as I found out - it did lower my immune system.

Laughter does the following as research shows -
1. It lowers blood pressure.

2. It decreases the stress hormones.

3. It boosts the immune system by raising levels of infection-fighting cells.

4. It increases the proteins that fight diseases

5. It triggers the release of endorphins which are the body's natural pain-killers.
(Drs.Lee & Beck)
6.It empties the lungs more, resulting in a cleansing effect. Very beneficial for people with emphysema and other breathing or lung conditions and especially in the Flu Season.

7. As a cardiac exercise, a belly laugh is equivalent to jogging and as Norman Cousins stated, it is internal jogging.

For those who forgot what a Belly Laugh is, this little video might refresh your memories. And if you laugh more, memories become clearer!  So could you answer these couple of questions? 1.Name a few types of laughter?

Energy Healing -first anniversary

It is my one year anniversary as I started this blog last May!
Does time fly in this Recession? No? Businesses seem to slow down, lay-offs seem to make the time long? Do you have any control? Can you make any changes? If you said No to the last two questions, then read on....

I am no different from many of you as I am on a limited income and my business income is variable. The difference perhaps from some of you is this - I had made some CHOICES deliberately,learning from and using my Energy Medicine tools on myself. Here are 5 of them.

1. Instead of worrying, use the Time with my Energy Medicine Therapy/exercise x2 or x3 daily.
example - laughter therapy, 5 minute Energy Exercises,EFT.

2. Writing posts on my blog to share ways of being Empowered instead of being powerless. Believe me, there were many times I had to force myself to write.

3. Doing EFT tapping which caused the flow of creative juices, resulting in writing a book. Hope to have it published by June 2009

4.Changing negative thoughts and words to the Positive.

5.Last but not least daily meditation and thanksgiving.

In these days of Recession and Lack, focus of What you Do Have, no matter how small they seem and do not resent others for what they have. Why? Resenting others for their financial gains Will backfire on you. If you want money, don't resent or be envious of others who have it. So if you want time to fly in this recession, perhaps you could try the 5 suggestions given above. They have made time fly for me.

Agapelife/PNicholas

April Fool and laughter

Today is usually called April Fools Day! Traditionally, it has been when all sort of pranks have been tested out, usually to elicit laugh for the pranksters. Some people's emotions and egos will be bruised today. Does it have to be so? No!


This idea of laughing at another person's expense is alien to laughter therapy. In laughter therapy or laughter yoga, we LAUGH WITH others and NOT AT others.

Why don't you use this day as a day of laughter, laughing with others, doing fun and silly things. I am sure that many pranks performed today are considered silly. If we can do silly things to evoke laughter for ourselves at the expense of others, then WHY can we just laugh for no reason, even if it seem SILLY! Laughing for no reason is what laughter yoga is all about.

Agapelife / P Nicholas

Energy Medicine - Part 4

This is the last few days of the 7 day challenge.
K Fields of Articulates shares her experience below

"I have done quite wonderfully at it. I have kept my cool under the most extreme circumstances of when my mother who is undergoing some medical treatments was experiencing serious problems and when I first asked the MD assistant, about it I got a shoulder shrug... instead of getting upset, I took a deep breath, smiled and asked as nicely as I could if there was something I could do to help reliever her of the pain she was in... For some reason this seemed to sink into the MD that this was a serious problem and he became instantly helpful, and my mom is doing better now.. Thank-you! "
http://www.arcticulates.org/arcticulates.html

Please send in your comments!
Agapelife / P Nicholas

Energy Medicine - 7 Day Challenge -Part 2

Several blogger and readers have decided to take up this challenge. I applaud you for your courage! Definitely, courage is essential in taking up this challenge!

After reading some of the comments from the participants, for" 5 minute Laughing in the Bathroom seem difficult for some as they felt their family or neighbors would think they were crazy. Yes, that is likely - generally, people think you have to laugh for some reason or else something is wrong with your mental faculties. Yet, I have worked in psychiatric facilities, and hardly heard any laughter there!

First to clarify - 1. After about a minute or so of laughing, PLEASE take one or two deep breaths, which is breathing in, through the nose with your mouth shut, and breathing out through your mouth as if slowly blowing out a candle. So in 5 minutes, there should be about 5 to 10 breaths in between the laughing.

2. Let your family or neighbours know why you are laughing and get them to join. If that is out of the question, then break up your laughing into segments. Like Columbia asked, Yes 3 minutes would be sufficient for the bathroom, however, do 2 minutes in the bedroom while dressing or go on the phone / cellphone and pretend you are talking to your friend who is making you laugh. Don't forget to breathe every minute or so, so it looks like you are listening.

3, You could also continue the laughing in your ride to work, waiting for the bus, in the bus or subway, with the cell-phone close to your ear. You can laugh in the car. Be creative and make the laughter as natural as possible. The first few times, you WILL Feel as if you're faking it. Just see what happens after a couple of days.

4. Let the 5 minutes in the morning only be the start of the rest of day, If you can have 5 minutes in the middle of the day and 5minutes during the journey home from work and 5 minutes in the night, notice the difference in your emotions and attitudes.

5. These tips was given by Richard Schooping "Create daily reminders of awareness through computer reminders, hourly phone alarms, etc," ..."the most important "step" is to create quiet time daily for stillness so that all aforementioned steps will have the soil of silence to flower." Thanks Richard.

6. JOT down your emotions, your well-being each day in your calendar or day agenda, so that you can compare it on the SEVENTH day.

The video above is to help you to laugh and just go to You-Tube to see more of these laughter videos - and YES that was several belly laughs!

For some of you, the first day is gone - so please let me know how it went and if you need any assurances, support, etc.. If you have issues, I will e-mail you, you could put your e-mail in comment, marked confidential and it will not be published.

Just received news flash from Melinda - she states " it is good and fun" Yes Fun it should be if not these first days, then in the next couple of days. If you're not having fun, let me know, I'll show you how you can make this 7 day Challenge - a Fun Filled experience.

Rooting for your success!
Agapelife / P Nicholas

Laughter Therapy 3

"This person arrived at the laughter club. She did not make eye-contact, looked downcast,anxious with her head looking down. A few minutes into the laughter session, she started to make eye contact, cautiously smile, then laughed. At the end of the session, she told the class, she had lung cancer and forced herself to come to the laughter class in an attempt to elevate her mood and now she felt relaxed and even joyful." ( quote from Sophie, leader of Laughter club)

The above was from an interview with Sophie T, leader of the Sunflower Laughter Club in Ottawa. Another story that Sophie shared was about a person who had not smiled for 2 years and was suicidal. After a visit to the laughter club, he laughed which gave him hope to continue his treatment.

These are not isolated incidents. There are other testimonies that you will find on Sophie's website as well as the website of Laughter Club International. Please see the links given at the end of this article. So who attends the laughter clubs? According to Sophie, they are divided into two groups 1. Those who want to prevent stress related diseases 2. Those who have heard about the benefits of laughter and curious to see if it works for them!

Research studies both done in 2007, one in India and the other in the USA both show that laughter decreased blood pressure and all the other benefits mentioned in Laughter Therapy - 2. The link below will show some amazing testimonials of people who gave laughter a chance to work on them. You will also read details of the studies done in 2007.

In Dr. Kateria's words, an " happiness cocktail" is produced in the body during laughter and you can have as much of this cocktail without a hangover effect the next morning. So what are you waiting for??? Make yourself the happiness cocktail!

My appreciation to Sophie Terrase and Dr Kateria's website as well as my friends at the laughter club!

http://www.laughteryoga.org/
Agapelife/P.Nicholas

Laughter Therapy 2

" Laughter Clubs - silly" " Laughter - scary" These are two of the comments I received from a blogger forum. Why is it that people are not scared to show anger, hate or sorrow but when it comes to laughter, it scares them, or when seeing a group of people laughing, it seems silly??

Silly or not, this article will demonstrate the benefits of daily laughter to your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health. This is especially important in this time of recession and cutbacks of every kind, no one can take laughter away from you except yourself. Here's a video from Oprah - sending her hairdresser to check out a laughter club.



Dr. M. Kateria stated that laughing releases certain hormones and neuropeptides which he calls the happiness cocktail into our bodies. This happy cocktail reduces 1.stress, 2.pain,3. boost our immune system and 4.improves circulation, which all improves your Energy. Laughing also increases the levels of immunoglobin A(1gA) which fights against viral infections like cough and colds. Laughter has shown to decrease high blood pressure, arthritis. It also works for diabetes and cancers.
A few minutes of hearty laughter is equivalent to 10 minutes of jogging.

Your body and mind absorbs laughter to produce and/or maintain overall health. You will not starve your body from food or drink, even for a day, so why should you, starve it from laughter?? What do you think? Send me your comments.

Agapelife/P.Nicholas

Laughter Therapy 1

My name is Sophie.... HaHaHaHeeHeee, she continues laughing for a half a minute, then she looks at B who states her name, starts to laugh, and Sophie laughs with her and so does everyone else.
This how we introduce ourselves in the Laughter yoga club.

Sophie is the leader of this club. Earlier, before we started, she told us the history of laughter clubs and its founder Dr Kateria who began laughter clubs a decade ago. Sylvie was taught by Dr. Kateria. She then gave us some brief instructions and told us not to be concerned if at first, we seem to be faking the laugh. She also told us that we would not speak during the session, we would be communicating with eye contact and basically follow her actions. She emphasized that we must laugh with the other and not laugh at the other.

It was my second visit to this laughter club which was named Sunflower Club. Sophie had an assortment of bright funny looking headbands and hats, that we could put on by choice. There were about 15 of us and for some it was a first time visit.

For about 40 minutes, the leader did some actions,with laughter and we followed. Each laughing action which lasted about 5 minutes was followed by deep breathing or yogic breathing. Since we were in the couple of weeks of the New Year, many of the laughing actions revolved around celebrating the New Year, like dancing and toasting to the New Year. Ten minutes into the laughter exercises, I noticed that many were already getting belly laughs. People who looked anxious and reticent about smiling at the beginning of the session, were now looking relaxed, happy and smiling at one another. Did I mention that the majority of the group did not know each other before the laughter session.

The last part of the laughter session,included a group exercise, transmitting our laughter to anyone we knew who most needed it. Then we had a quiet few minutes of relaxation to music, then, sharing our experience verbally, about what we felt or received from the session - the only time we talked. Everyone was smiling and everyone stated how relaxed and happy they felt.

Have you been to a laughter club? Would you like to be in one? If you have any questions, please send them via the comments. Next week, we will continue with this theme.

Energy Medicine:-To Diet or Not To Diet in a nutshell!

In this age of instant results
Popular are weight loss gurus
promising weight loss in a few days, a week, or a month.
Buyer Beware! It is not a one size fit all deal!
Where has the common sense gone?

As diet industry flourishes,
Consumers' weight increases.
As your pocket empties with the latest diet plan
Your weight increases albeit a small decrease.
How long have you been doing this?
Many,Many times is your response?
Up and down, Up and down!
YO-YO dieting is the name
O so harmful to your health!

Why do you want to lose weight?
Is it to look like this model or that celebrity?
Is your lover asking you to lose weight?
Do you feel you will be acceptable in your social
circle if you were twiggy?

If you want a healthy weight and keep it,
Do it for the Love of you, for your Self-Esteem.
Then ask yourself if you are prepared,
To go deep to find out when, how and why
Your weight increased in the first place?
Are you an emotional eater?
Do you eat when stressed out?
Is your social life closely connected with food?

There are resources a plenty
All free and well researched.
Weight loss is possible if your
intake is less - 4 daily meals, no less.
A sustainable, tasty diet;
Kick out the empty calories which is fatigues,
Then follow up by simple exercises.
Change your social activities to other than
Restaurant hopping and potlucks.

Before you do the eating, delete harmful
habits surrounding meals.
Install new, healthy habits around food,
get mentoring from experienced,
non-judgemental coaches, be it friend
or professionals.

Energy Medicine,Laughter Therapy
and emotional freedom technique
have all been successful in
weight loss and maintaining
healthy weight. Why? - Perhaps
they go deep to find the root of
the problem with
individualized solutions.
Not an instant remedy but an enduring one.
The weight you lose will stay lost.
Isn't that what you want!

So let me boldly say,
It's not dieting you need
but a healthy eating lifestyle!
You will then shed the harmful weight
which will never return.
Agapelife
copyright/P Nicholas

Energy Medicine: -Sustainable Diet and Energy Medicine

Sustainable Diet

If you look at the mirror and see those 'love handles' and bulges of excess weight, especially in the abdominal area, how long did that take to accumulate? Surely, not a month or a few months or even a year. So what makes you think that you could lose all that weight in a month, 3 months or a year? Probably, it was those incredible, advertisements and weight loss articles that convinced you. So you rush to buy the book, the products, sign for the weight loss program - Oh Yes, you did lose a few pounds but you could not keep up with that program for long and you hungered for those foods you missed. Now you have put on more weight than you lost or your health has suffered.You are frustrated and upset.

As we have seen and heard in earlier posts, the popular diets don't work as they are not sustainable. Some of them can be even dangerous for your health. So is there a diet that is Sustainable? Yes there is. There is One for each of you according to your tastes, likes and dislikes. Are you prepared for this! - You have to plan this yourself and there is plenty of free resources out there to help you.

Are you willing to invest your effort and time to lose excess weight permanently. The dividends are self-esteem, health, energy. It is cost-effective as your medical bills will be rare.

Some Tips
1.Follow a Guide of the basic food groups - USDA Food Guide (www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines/dga2005/document/html/chapter3.htm)
For Canadians this is the link. ( www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/food-guide-aliment/basics)

2. Compute your BMI or Body Mass Index here - (www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/lose_wt/control.htm )
They also tell you in the above link how to lose unwanted weight in the healthy way, gives recipes and serving portions as well as other pertinent information.

3. Change your behaviors and habits related to eating and foods. It is easy to tell you to make some lifestyle changes but old habits are hard to break. You need support and guidance on this if you want to keep your weight off. EFT (emotional freedom techniques) has been helpful to some in this area. Energy Medicine helps in changing certain old patterns and behaviors.

4. Weight loss goals should be 1.Realistic, 2.Specific, 3.Measurable,4. Attainable which means you take small steps to to reach your main goal. Example: You need to lose 50lbs, break it down to 4 lbs a month, then, reassess - if that is accomplished, give yourself another goal for the next month. If you lost only 2.5 lbs, give yourself a non-food treat and set the next month's goal at 3 lbs.

5.Three main meals with one or two snacks so that you do not leave your stomach empty for more than 4 hours. If you are on a 1600 calorie diet, each of the 4 meals should not be more than 400 calories and for a 2000 calorie diet, each meal should not exceed 500 calories. Do Not Skip any Meal. It is when you skip meals that you tend to overeat and indulge in second servings.

6.Read labels and be aware that "Light" does not always mean less calories. Neither does "low fat" mean you can have double the portion.

6.Drink 8 or more glasses of water and sip fluids during the day. Avoid sodas and pops. Limit your coffee and tea except for limited amounts of green tea. I've found tea and coffee to be appetite boosters.

7.Your weight loss program has to be accompanied by some activity, even stretches help. Do a fun activity several times a week,like swimming, dancing or hiking.

8.Stock your fridge and pantry with low calorie snack foods, like fruits, cucumbers, carrots and celery. Having a 1/2 cup (4oz) low fat yogurt for a snack with a medium apple is an excellent choice.

9.Enlist the support of family and friends or a weight loss group in healthy eating and exercise. Perhaps start one yourself.

10. Find other ways to boost yourself when you feel down or tired or sad, instead of eating to take your "blues" away.

Energy Medicine and Laughter therapy has contributed to some people's weight loss. Certain activities and exercises in Energy Medicine balances the Digestive System which reduces food cravings and boost the assimilation of foods, optimally. This therapy is individualized and an assessment is done to see which area of the body needs the balancing. Recently, I met a lady, who lost weight doing qigong exercises daily for about 3 months.

Laughter therapy is compared to internal jogging. So laughing 20 minutes or more daily will burn some calories. Is that not enough reason to Laugh? HaHaHa HoHoHo.You do not have to watch a comedy to laugh.
Join a laughter club or have a laughter buddy. Laugh your way to sustainable weight loss and health. Check my former post on the effects of laughter
empower-you.blogspot.com/2008/07/what-does-laughter-do-to-your-body.html

If you are wondering why I have not continued with Myths about Diets, there is a good reason. A fellow blogger, Cassandra is doing an excellent,detailed job with more than one post dedicated to it on the link given below. Thanks Cassandra.
www.trimnasium.com/?p=144

Next week will be the conclusion of this topic. All comments and questions are welcomed and if you wish a private answer, please include your e-mail.

Humor Saturday

Jim Carrey - comedian from Canada in Transitions

Humor - Gilda and Gene

One of the funniest couple.

Laughter's Capsule

What a fantastically Happy, two weeks. The joy of researching and writing about laughter - words are just so inadequate to describe it.
If, you my readers have come up with any words, that can truly describe, pure unadulterated joy or happiness, then let me know.

We had looked at the Gelotology - which is the study of laughter on our physiology. Hospitals and other health facilities have included laughter therapy as various researches had shown the positive effect of laughter on our physical body. Laughter enhances the immune system, the respiratory system, lowers blood pressure and relieves pain.

We also discovered how laughter was good for our mental and emotional well-being. Laughter connects people of different languages and cultures and religions, breaking down barriers, bridging the gaps. It is a universal language. Dr. Katari founder of the Laughter Yoga club which now has 6000 clubs world wide, feels that laughter is capable of bringing peace to the world.

Laughter specialist,Alice Hortop whose research and practice in Laughter therapy, showed how to bring laughter into our lives and the necessity of laughter in social life as well as in relationships

Then, we spoke of the types of laughter and how to practise them. Spiritual benefits of laughter was discussed for those of different religions or for those who had none.
There are still ongoing research in laughter.

I would like to continue on this theme but it will have to be interactive. Please send me your happiest moments, events or situations, which gave you belly laughs or the memories of those events that perpetuate those belly laughs. Also include people who made you laugh. EMPOWER your Life with LAUGHTER!
Laughing with you
Agapelife

Do you know the types of laughter

I am sure there are more types of laughter than the ones I will describe in this post.

Etiquette laughter This starts with a smile.It can be quite restrained and easily managed.

Pigeon laughter - Requires you to take a deep inhalation with the mouth shut and produce laughing sounds like the hum of a pigeon.

Soundless laughter. Inhale gently through the nose with mouth closed. Then open mouth and put tongue out and let the laugh out without making a sound while exhaling as long as possible. You should feel your stomach and upper abdomen muscles moving. The exhaling part while laughing makes a rhythmic movement of the diaphragm which is called " inner jogging"

Belly laughter This is the same procedure as soundless laughter except when you open your mouth, you let go and laugh loudly. With this laughter, you could roll on the floor or double up.

Practise these types of laughter daily. It will make such a difference to the outcome of your day. If you have any questions, please ask them by clicking on comment. Other comments welcome. If you are doing the laughter exercises, how often do you do them and how has it changed your outlook. Would like to hear from you!!
Agapelife


Ref:- R. Belasekar

Spiritual Aspect of Laughter- 2

A good laugh brings sunshine in the house. (William M. Thackeray)

Laughter is a deeply spiritual Emotion! Why?
Laughter has the ability to clear the air and makes us present in the moment. It brings inner peace and Dr Kataria of the Yoga Laughter clubs believe if more people joined in the laughter, world peace is possible.

Do you see the absurdity in daily life?
Laughter is able to help you focus, not on problems but solutions to them. Laughter has a way of clearing your mind to focus on what really matters. Laughter is attention grabbing. Laughter is powerful enough to release pent-up emotions and regenerate helpful memories.

So laughter is important for daily spirituality as it Lightens the heart and Lifts up the Soul. Remember the proverb - "Laugh and the whole world laughs with you"....

Tomorrow on Gelotology which is the Study of Laughter, we wil1 visit 4 types of laughter.
Agapelife

Spiritual Aspect of Laughter

How is laughter spiritual, you may ask?

For those who believe they were created by God, it would not be difficult to see God's Hand in this, as one of the first spontaneous emotions displayed by a baby is laughter. No one taught the baby to smile or laugh. Have you observed a baby laughing while alone in the crib without any prompting??

Religion on Laughter and Humor
Buddhists

When Buddha was enlightened, the first thing He did was Smile. You may have also seen statues of the Laughing Buddha.
Islam

Qur'an or Koran
"They deserve paradise who make their companions laugh".
Judaism
The Old Testament has 57 references to laughter and 27 to humor.
Many incidents in the Old Testament filled with puns, dry humor, funny situations and funny word play.

Christians
The New Testament has 287 references to joy, delight, gladness, laughter and rejoicing.
Hinduism
The Laughter Yoga originated in Mumbai, India.

In his book, Bonham,states that Humor brings God closer to humanity. Laughter is a common link between various religions.

Humor bring God closer to Humanity. For those who do not have any religious belief, still are spiritual beings so the posting tomorrow will discuss how laughter affects your spiritual self.
Enjoy Bill Cosby on Noah's ArK
Agapelife
Bonham,Tal D. Humor: God's Gift, 1988

Easy Ways to Bring Laughter into Your Life

I have researched and taught all aspects of Laughter Therapy for the last 9 & 1/2 years and have been completely inspired by its power to lift mood, reduce pain, connect people, boost motivation and confidence and much, much more.

I think often people make the laughter and smiling search more complicated than its needs to be. I do look at humour types and analyse occupations to try and optimize opportunities for laughter... but I also think finding laughter should simply be put on to your daily agenda like eating fruit and veg.

Make a conscious decision to try and find your day fun, spend twenty minutes (plus if you can) actively looking for the funny in situations or around you, see someone who is light and smiley, do an activity that may bring in laughs (see a comedy, join a new gym class, people watch etc).

People often get distracted by the type of laughter they want, most people want rip roaring belly laughs.. they often come later after you start to enjoy life, laugh more and change your daily perspective.

Think back to the past, what made you laugh? What did you do as a child, teenager,in your twenties, thirties etc that made you laugh? Who makes you laugh? Can you find more people with the same attitude, could you see this person more or when you need their lightness to balance your day with humour?

Ask yourself questions, what stops you laughing? Who don't you laugh with? When don't you laugh? Then be pro-active... if you don't laugh with someone can you change How, When and Where you see them? Maybe meet them out for coffee as opposed to going to their house or invite them to a stand up comedy night. Give opportunities for relationships to change and develop.

Focus on finding fun, happiness and laughter in all you do. Try not to think I am not laughing whilst I do whatever it is you're doing... think instead what can I do to get laughter now or next time.
Alice Hortop
Senior Lecturer in Occupational Therapy In University of West England (UWE)
Laughter Therapy Specialist