Humor Therapy: Understanding Its Nature and How It Works

Humor serves as a powerful means for emotional relief and physical well-being. Yet, it is crucial to acknowledge that humor can occasionally lead to adverse outcomes.

Humor helps people cope with difficult situations and alleviate stress. Children can laugh up to 400 times a day, adults around 15 times. This frequent laughter is linked to psychological benefits, as people gather in groups and share joyful moments.

Life experience shows that humor therapy is effective and beneficial.

What is Humor Therapy and How Did It Originate?

Humor therapy, also known as gelototherapy (from the Greek "gelos" meaning "laughter" and "therapy"), is a psychological practice designed to help patients better understand themselves, their emotions, and surroundings. Some researchers consider it a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy.

Humor therapy practitioners emphasize that it aids in improving emotional and physical health, effectively addressing psychological problems, relieving anxiety, and reducing anger and hostility.

The foundations of gelotology (the scientific study of laughter) were laid in the 1960s by American psychologist William Fry from Stanford University.

Earlier, American journalist Norman Cousins in the 1960s also documented the healing power of laughter. He diagnosed numerous illnesses and recovered with the help of laughter, aided by vitamin C and regular telephone and comedy show interactions — a practice he called humor therapy. In 1990, Norman wrote the book "Anatomy of an Illness as Perceived by the Patient," where he also discussed his experiences.

Today, the international community of laughter researchers is represented by the International Society for Humor Studies (ISHS) and the Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor (AATH).

There are several classifications of humor therapy:

• Classical — gelotologists identify different types of laughter, analyze comedy scripts, and study humor-related phenomena in detail.
• Humor therapy as a method of self-help or automated techniques: physical gymnastics (reflective laughter), jokes, humorous street art, media, and humor games.
• Medical (clinical) clowning — psychological performances by artists for children undergoing long-term treatment.

As humor interacts with emotions and the autonomic nervous system, some gelotology researchers distinguish humor into therapeutic and non-therapeutic types. It is believed that therapeutic humor positively influences a person's health and mental state. For example, in Spain, clowns visit hospitals to entertain seriously ill children, supporting their treatment and recovery. This has been demonstrated to have positive effects.

There is also evidence that our brain does not distinguish between genuine and simulated laughter. For instance, William Fry observed that during organized laughter exercises, the brain activates the same neural circuits as during spontaneous laughter.

Are There Effective Humor Therapy Techniques?

Studies have shown that this practice significantly reduces the risk of psychological disorders.

William Fry’s early observations revealed that laughter exercises activate immune cells, producing antibodies and beneficial hormones, which contribute to health improvements.

There are also well-established psychological techniques. For example, humor therapy helps patients overcome professional burnout.

Other effective psychological methods include:

• Inducing a sense of humor in patients with severe eye diseases;
• Improving stress response in patients with coronary heart disease and hypertension;
• Reducing anxiety and increasing the sense of well-being in patients with chronic diseases;
• Enhancing the effectiveness of endocrine treatments;
• Short sessions of 10–15 minutes, twice daily, over 2 to 10 weeks;
• Organizing a cycle of humor therapy sessions;

Among positive psychological effects of humor therapy, it notably improves emotional well-being and mental health. It helps reduce severe anxiety, alleviate stress, and mitigate symptoms of depression.

Humor and laughter also assist in education by promoting better understanding and greater engagement with materials. This can also improve healing outcomes. In 1977, a comedy experiment for seriously ill children in New York demonstrated that this method positively influences the entire body. It helps children adapt to painful experiences and legally overcome illnesses.

There are also numerous beneficial psychological effects of humor for recovery. For example, humor therapy helps psychotherapists protect themselves from professional burnout.

It is believed that many therapists and psychologists use humor therapy to protect themselves from professional emotional exhaustion.

It is important to note that humor therapy is one form of alternative medicine. Its proper application requires consultation with professional medical practitioners, rather than self-treatment. Properly applied, it can complement traditional psychological and medical treatments.

How to Laugh More

Generally, laughter from psychological research is not considered harmful, but it is not recommended to rely solely on humor and laughter for health. To use it effectively, it is necessary to understand the mechanisms behind laughter.

To make the most of humor therapy, consider the following steps:

1. Observe moments when you laugh. These can be photographs, comics, memes, cartoons, games — whatever brings you joy. Identify when you laugh the most during your daily routine.
2. Subscribe to humorous journals, websites, films, or roles that make you laugh (or watch them in your free time).
3. Try laughing with friends, focusing on problems as a way to reduce stress. For example, share stories about your workplace and laugh together.
4. Spend time with people who make you laugh. Try watching funny anecdotes or stories together.
5. Visit stand-up clubs or comedy shows. Attend performances by comedians or watch comedy films.
6. Simulate laughter and smiles if you do not feel spontaneous joy. A positive effect of laughter without humor is possible, and laughter without humor can be beneficial.

Laugh with friends and loved ones, but do not overdo it. If you experience an acute headache or discomfort, it is better to avoid excessive laughter.

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