Gelotology is the study of laughter Laughter is an audible expression or the appearance of happiness, or an inward feeling of joy . It may ensue (as a physiological reaction) from jokes, tickling or other stimuli. It is in most cases a very pleasant sensation and its effects on the body, from a psychological Psychology is the field study of human or animal mental functions and behaviors, often making use of the scientific method in laboratory research . In this field, a professional practitioner or researcher is a psychologist. Psychologists are classified as social or behavioral scientists. Psychological research can be considered either basic or and physiological Physiology is the science of the functioning of living systems. It is a subcategory of biology. In physiology, the scientific method is applied to determine how organisms, organ systems, organs, cells and biomolecules carry out the chemical or physical function that they have in a living system. The word physiology is from Ancient Greek: φύσις perspective.[1] Its proponents often advocate a somewhat invasive induction of laughter on therapeutic grounds.[citation needed] It also studies the medical abnormalities of laughing.[citation needed] The word is from the Greek gelos, geloto meaning laugh, laughter, laughing.[1]
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Types of therapy
LaughterAccording to an article in the Psychosocial Nursing Journal, there is well documented and ongoing research in this field of study.[2][unreliable source?] This has led to new and beneficial therapies practiced by doctors, psychiatrists, and other mental health professionals using humor Humour or humor is the tendency of particular cognitive experiences to provoke laughter and provide amusement. The term derives from the humoral medicine of the ancient Greeks, which taught that the balance of fluids in the human body, known as humours (Latin: umor, "body fluid"), control human health and emotion and laughter Laughter is an audible expression or the appearance of happiness, or an inward feeling of joy . It may ensue (as a physiological reaction) from jokes, tickling or other stimuli. It is in most cases a very pleasant sensation to help patients cope or treat a variety of physical and psychological issues. The various therapies are not specific to health care professionals or clinicians. Some of the therapies can be practiced individually or in a group setting to aid in a person's well-being. There seems to be something to the old saying "laughter is the best medicine." Or perhaps, as stated by Voltaire François-Marie Arouet , better known by the pen name Voltaire (pronounced: [volˈtɛʁ]), was a French Enlightenment writer and philosopher famous for his wit and for his advocacy of civil liberties, including freedom of religion and free trade. Voltaire was a prolific writer and produced works in almost every literary form including plays,, "The art of medicine consists of keeping the patient amused while nature heals the disease."
- Humor Therapy: It is also known as therapeutic humor. Using humorous materials such as books, shows, movies, or stories to encourage spontaneous discussion of the patients' own humorous experiences. This can be provided individually or in a group setting. The process is facilitated by a clinician. There can be a disadvantage to humor therapy in a group format, as it can be difficult to provide materials that all participants find humorous. It is important that the clinician is sensitive, laughing "with" clients rather than "at" the clients.
- Laughter Therapy: Clients' laughter triggers are identified such as people in their lives, things from childhood, situations, movies, jokes, comedians, etc. that make them laugh. Based on the information provided by the client, the clinician creates a personal humor profile to aid in the laughter therapy Laughter is an audible expression or appearance of happiness, or an inward feeling of joy . It may ensue (as a physiological reaction) from jokes, tickling, and other stimuli. Inhaling nitrous oxide can also induce laughter; other drugs, such as cannabis, can also induce episodes of strong laughter. Strong laughter can sometimes bring an onset of. In this one on one setting, the client is taught basic exercises that can be practiced. The intent of the exercises is to remind the importance of relationships and social support. It is important the clinician is sensitive to what the client perceives as humorous.
- Laughter Therapy, aka gelotherapy: Gelotherapy is an innovative adjunctive therapeutic activity program, typically called Laughter Therapy or Therapeutic Laughter, developed by psychologist Steve Wilson (Ohio), founder of the World Laughter Tour. This is a way to help people re-connect with the natural, authentic laughter which is every human being's birthright. All of us are born with the physical and neurological apparatus for laughing, and we will do it without being taught how, starting at about 4 weeks of age, under the right conditions (an explanation of this can be found in Steve Wilson's Paper, "Full-Belly Laughter"). The Neurologists who made this discovery believe that laughter has survival value. To get the probable optimum daily allowance of laughter, is to be in a state of Gelotonia (Gelos is the Greek word for laughter), to be Gelotonic (neologisms coined by Steve Wilson). Unfortunately, the world does not often provide the right conditions for Gelotonia, leaving many people in a state of Gelotosis, or hypogelotonia (you aren't laughing enough). In addition to other benefits, the laughter therapy program taught by World Laughter Tour may just be the "cure" for hypogelotonia.
This program provides systematic exposure to true mirthful laughter in a supportive environment, most often through a series of so-called laughter exercises coupled with a six-step program of attitudinal re-alignment called Good-Hearted Living(c), under the guidance of a qualified leader/teacher/therapist who has completed a minimum of a 2-day basic training and earned the designation Certified Laughter Leader(t) (CLL). Having learned the program with a CLL, an individual can continue the practices on their own as a self-help strategy, or return for more group sessions. This is considered to be an adjunctive therapy rather than a primary treatment, in that it helps primary treatments work better. Guided by interpretations of available scientific research, and supported by a Professional Advisory Committee, it is thought to have potential for promoting healing, health, preventing illness, reducing stress reactions, and lifting spirits. Typically this is a group activity done in sessions of 20-minutes to an hour.
The sessions may go by various titles such as laughter club, laughter class, laughter session, laughter fitness, laughter program, and more. Sessions can be a one-off, or repeated for enhanced effect. The therapeutic advantage is thought to be enhanced by a values system which insists that sessions be non-political, non-religious, non-perfectionistic, non-exploitive, non-competitive, non-threatening, and welcoming to everybody. In addition, CLLs subscribe to Code of Ethics. Desirable personal sttributes of an effective leader, in addition to the basic training, are to be mature enough to conduct the program responsibly, and cheerful. Professionals who have other training and credentials, such as nurses and activity therapists, add value and scope to their practices by becoming CLLs. Development of this program began in 1998 and continues to evolve.
- Laughter Meditation: In laughter meditation Meditation is a holistic discipline during which time the practitioner trains his or her mind in order to realize some benefit there are some similarities to traditional meditation. However, it is the laughter that focuses the person to concentrate on the moment. Through a three stage process of stretching, laughing and/or crying, and a period of meditative silence. In the first stage, the person places all energy into stretching every muscle without laughter. In the second stage, the person starts with a gradual smile, and then slowly begins to purposely belly laugh or cry, whichever occurs. In the final stage, the person abruptly stops laughing or crying, then with their eyes now closed they breathe without a sound and focus their concentration on the moment. The process is approximately a 15 minute exercise. This may be awkward for some people as the laughter is not necessarily spontaneous. This is generally practiced on an individual basis.
- Laughter Yoga & Laughter Clubs: Somewhat similar to traditional yoga, laughter yoga Laughter Yoga is a form of yoga employing self-triggered laughter. The "laughter" is physical in nature, and does not necessarily involve humor or comedy. The concept was developed by Indian guru Jiten Kohi.[citation needed] It was made popular as an exercise routine developed by Indian physician Madan Kataria.[citation needed] Kataria is an exercise which incorporates breathing, yoga, and stretching techniques, along with laughter. The structured format includes several laughter exercises for a period of 30 to 45 minutes facilitated by a trained individual. Practiced it can be used as supplemental or preventative therapy. Laughter yoga can be performed in a group or a club. Therapeutic laughter clubs are extension of Laughter Yoga, but in a formalized club format. The need for humorous materials is not necessarily required. Laughter yoga is similar to yogic asana Asana is a body position, typically associated with the practice of Yoga, intended primarily to restore and maintain a practitioner's well-being, improve the body's flexibility and vitality, and promote the ability to remain in seated meditation for extended periods. These are widely known as Yoga postures or Yoga positions, which is currently and the practice of Buddhist forced laughter. Some participants may find it awkward as laughter is not necessarily spontaneous in the structured format.
See also
Resources
- General
- Cardoso, S.H., Our Ancient Laughing Brain. Cerebrum Magazine, The Dana Press. On-Line reprint by Brain & Mind Magazine, State University of Campinas Universidade Estadual de Campinas , short Unicamp, is one of the public universities of the State of São Paulo, Brazil. Its main campus is located in the Barão Geraldo district, 6 miles (10 km) away from downtown Campinas, with additional campuses in Limeira and Piracicaba, Campinas Campinas is a city and county (município) located in the interior of the state of São Paulo, Brazil, Brazil Brazil (pronounced /brəˈzɪl/ ; Portuguese: Brasil, IPA: [bɾaˈziw]), officially the Federative Republic of Brazil (Portuguese: República Federativa do Brasil, listen (help·info)), is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population. It is the only Portuguese-speaking.
- Koller, D., Gryski, C., "The Life Threatened Child and the Life Enhancing Clown: Towards a Model of Therapeutic Clowning" Journal of Evidence-Based and Complementary Medicine (2007) 5(1):17-35
- MacDonald, C., "A Chuckle a Day Keeps the Doctor Away: Therapeutic Humor & Laughter" Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services(2004) V42, 3:18-25
- Kawakami, K., et al., Origins of smile and laughter: A preliminary study Early Human Development (2006) 82, 61-66
- Johnson, S., Emotions and the Brain Discover (2003) V24, N4
- Panksepp, J., Burgdorf, J., “Laughing” rats and the evolutionary antecedents of human joy? Physiology & Behavior (2003) 79:533-547
- Discover Health (2004) Humor & Laughter: Health Benefits and Online Sources
- Klein, A. The Healing Power of Humor: Techniques for Getting through Loss, Setbacks, Upsets, Disappointments, Difficulties, Trials, Tribulations, and All That Not-So-Funny Stuff. Los Angeles, CA: Tarcher/Putnam, 1989.
- Klein, A. "The Courage to Laugh: Humor, Hope, and Healing in the Face of Death and Dying." Los Angeles, CA: Tarcher/Putnam, 1998.
- Specific
- ^ a b Robertson vocabulary gelo-, geloto- +
- ^ Psych Nurse 2004
External links
- Etymology of Gelotology
- University of Washington
- Humour therapy for cancer patients
- Chimpanzee Facial Expression & Vocalizations
Categories: Humor research | Human physiology | Laughter
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