Laughter therapy is a method that seeks to improve health through laughter.
Laughter therapy is a concept that is not part of the dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy ( RAE ). It is a therapeutic action that is based on laughter to generate an increase in emotional and psychological well-being .
It should be remembered that laughter is a reaction to a stimulus that generates joy or that causes fun . This reaction includes gestures, sounds and different body movements.
It is important to note that laughter therapy, despite its name, is not usually defined as a therapy because it is not able to cure a disease on its own. Those who defend the method, however, affirm that laughter therapy contributes to the patient's well-being and provides intangible benefits that can contribute to medical treatment.
About laughter therapy
In the same way, we cannot ignore the existence of another important series of data about laughter therapy such as these:
- The techniques or activities carried out during the sessions are dance, games, body expression, massages and breathing exercises, among others.
- It is considered to have its origin thousands of years ago. And it has been discovered that it was already used about 4,000 years ago in China . Specifically, it has been known that there were temples where people went to meet and laugh, since it was considered that laughter could ensure perfect health .
- We must not forget that in other ancient civilizations there was a figure known as the "clown doctor", a sorcerer dressed in a certain way who supposedly cured the sick through laughter.
Laughter releases serotonin, dopamine and adrenaline.
Its development
Laughter therapy is developed in various ways. Sometimes, it is medical professionals who appeal to humor to make patients laugh. That is the case of the famous Dr. Hunter Doherty Adams , better known as "Patch" Adams , whose life was made into a film starring Robin Williams .
There are volunteers who, without being medical experts, tour hospitals dressed as clowns to develop laughter therapy. There are also workshops or laughter therapy sessions , where patients form a group and follow instructions to provoke and provoke laughter.
Benefits of laughter therapy
The clinical benefits of laughter therapy are often under discussion. The scientific community generally accepts that laughter releases serotonin , dopamine and adrenaline . It has also been shown that laughter contributes to muscle movement and promotes blood circulation .
In addition to the above, it must also be taken into account that those who defend laughter therapy do so because they believe that it allows them to enjoy this other series of benefits:
- Helps end anxiety, stress and depression problems.
- It helps people look more rejuvenated.
- It is considered a good tool to end insomnia problems.
- It allows the people who attend its sessions to see their self-esteem and sense of humor increased.
- It serves to lift the mood when it is low due to different circumstances.