Laughter Therapy: What It Is and Benefits

Laughter therapy, also called laughter therapy, is a complementary alternative therapy that aims to promote mental and emotional well-being through laughter. Laughing promotes the release of endorphin, which is popularly known as the happiness hormone, thus improving mood, decreasing stress and improving the body's defense, since it is related to the concentration of endorphins in the body. Here's how to increase the release of endorphin.

Authentic smiling and laughing are the best ways to increase production not only of endorphin, but also of serotonin, improving mood and the way you handle day-to-day situations. Laughter therapy can be practiced both in a group, with friends talking and remembering funny stories, or even watching funny movies, for example. Learn what serotonin is for.

This type of therapy has been widely used in hospitals, being known as clown therapy, and is practiced by students or health professionals, the vast majority of whom seek to improve the self-esteem of people who are experiencing difficult situations related to health, in addition to allowing these people to see treatment, for example, in a more positive way.

Benefits of Laughter Therapy

In addition to assisting in the treatment of various diseases, increasing the chances of improvement, giving laughter has several other benefits such as:

• It improves mood, decreases stress and ensures well-being;
• Increases self-esteem and positive thinking;
• Increases energy;
• Helps combat depression and anxiety;
• It improves immunity, since due to the increase in the production of endorphins the toxins are eliminated more easily, leaving the person more healthy;
• Helps to deal with difficult situations from day to day;
• It allows the forgetfulness of the problems, at least for a moment, allowing the relaxation;
• It leaves the mind lighter which favors the best conviviality with the people.

Laughter therapy can be practiced both individually and in groups, which brings more benefits, since laughter can unite people, increasing and strengthening affective bonds, and decrease the feeling of fear of being judged by what you say or do. See also what to do to improve mood.