Image of Sarah, a white woman, laughing. She has a brown bob with fringe and is wearing a burgundy top

Laughter Therapy

My interest for using laughter as a therapeutic tool began in October 2021 when I attended a Laughter Yoga workshop which included people affected by cancer. The experience filled me with amazement and curiosity. So, I quickly looked for training. Fast forward to February 2023 and I travelled to Durham for training. By the end of the weekend, I became an enthusiastic Certified Laughter Yoga Leader and a month later started to run my first Laughter Club.

As time goes by, the more I learn about the science of laughter my thirst for knowledge in this field grows. In April 2023 I commenced my training to become a Laughter Therapist.

Laughter is a natural healing phenomenon, non-pharmacological, non-invasive requiring no specialised equipment. It is accessible to all at any time. Research into laughter therapy has shown that there are physiological changes to our bodies that promotes good physical health. Mentally, laughter therapy alleviates stress, anxiety, tension, and depression because when we laugh endorphins, serotonin, oxytocin, and dopamine are released naturally by the body to help us feel good. When we feel good, we feel more positive about life.

Laughter therapy is an eight-session directive programme providing psychoeducation, psychological exploration of self, playfulness, and lots of laughter. We visit themes of happiness, loss, anger, and relationships.