Laughter IS the Best Medicine: Humor Therapy & Other Mind/Body Techniques

Laughter truly IS the best medicine.

Humor therapy is actually one of the oldest mind/body therapies, dating back to biblical times (over 2000 years ago). Now, humor therapy is recognized by the AMA.

What are some of the benefits?

Humor therapy can lower your blood pressure, boost your immune system, lower your stress hormones, release endorphins (feel-good chemicals), and overall just help your body become more energetic and filled with positive energy.

Even if your laughter begins as fake or artificial, when others start laughing around you, it eventually becomes natural and therapeutic.

EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique), or tapping, involves using your fingertips to tap on the 14 different meridians throughout your body. It is based on the concept of acupressure. It's easy and effective, and can be used in many arenas: people use it to improve health, sports figures use it to improve their game, business professionals use it to improve their success.

Chi gung, which stems from Traditional Chinese Medicine, is another technique that can be used for mind/body therapy. It is based on the fundamental belief of living energy in your body (chi), as well as yin and yang. Tai chi is actually a style of chi gung; one of nearly 3000 different variations. The technique involves moving your body in a way that flows the "good" energy in the direction of health and wellness.

Alan Smith, author of Unbreak Your Health, joins Andrea and Lisa to share more about these specific mind/body therapies and how they can help you in various ways.