Laughter as a Science?

Did you know that scientists have developed a way to "study" laughter?

It's called Gelotology (from the Greek 'gelos' meaning to laugh)!

We've all heard that "laughter is the best medicine" and from our own experiences, we know that having a good laugh makes us feel better. What's interesting with Gelotology is that it's still not recognized as a viable subject. Psychiatrists, psychologists, and social scientists have been advocating laughter having healing and analgesic properties (Embodiment in Cognition and Culture, John Michael Krois). Apparently, laughter can heal.

According to www.cancercenter.com , "For people living with cancer, it may seem strange to find humor when facing such serious issues. Yet, laughter can be helpful in ways you might not have realized or imagined." (http://www.cancercenter.com/treatments/laughter-therapy/)

Furthermore, "Rod Martin, a psychologist and laughter researcher at the University of Western Ontario in Canada, theorizes that laughter improves mental performance by accelerating the heartbeat, thus increasing oxygen supply to the brain." (http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/a-healthy-laugh/)

In our time, laughter and overall happiness is being studied at an ever increasing rate. What does this mean for you?

You don't need to know the science behind laughing or the biochemistry behind having a good laugh. If you can give yourself permission to find joy in your life and increase the amount of laughs you do during the day, you may find that your trips to the doctor may decrease!

Don't take my word for it.... Just laugh!

E.J. Katigbak, CHt, MA (Psychology), leads Happy Meditations. He developed this from his own healing experiences and education. E.J. is a Marine Corps veteran, has served in Iraq & Afghanistan AND is a survivor of PTSD.



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