I. Summary & Homework
Index:
Lesson Review
I’ve discussed many things in this lesson, and I know it can be a lot to digest.
Let’s quickly review the key points:
- Overall laughter is universally well-tolerated, but caution is advised in patients with specific health conditions. It’s a valid therapeutic ally in healing and a complementary option to other established therapeutic strategies.
- Choosing to laugh even in the face of adversity is simple, just not always easy. You don’t need to feel good or have a sense of humor for that. It’s a personal choice.
- The best way to talk about the science of laughter is to share your personal experience, not preach a personal perspective based on questionable research findings. How has laughter benefited you in your life?
- When it comes to intentional laughter, there is no need to fake or force anything, or make yourself or others laugh. Choose and allow yourself to laugh simply because you can, using whatever energy you have available at any particular moment. If you try to explain this to someone else and they don’t get it, then accept it and move on. You can’t force someone to be happy either.
- Laughter Wellness is a whole-person well-being workout that is filled with laughter but all about wellness. You don’t have to be funny or feel good to participate or facilitate it.
That’s enough theory for now.
Here two exercises we recommend you do before starting the next lesson. Take your time. There is no rush. Remember that what you learn quickly, you forget quickly!
#1: Reflect on the following questions, and write down as much as you can remember about what happened for each “Yes.” E.g., what were you experiencing or feeling before, and what happened afterward?
- Have you ever felt physically better after laughing, e.g., a time when you were experiencing pain, somehow laughed, and the pain was reduced or disappeared. Or maybe times when laughter helped you heal faster.
- Have you ever felt less stressed or uptight or gained more mental clarity after laughing?
- Have you ever felt less sad, down, or depressed after laughing?
- Has laughter ever helped you make, mend, or deepen relationships?
- Have you ever felt at peace with yourself, others, and the world after laughing?
#2: Explain on paper how each of the exercises listed on the session plan below work, using the video as a reference:
