We all need humor in our lives. No matter what people say, everyone needs a good laugh. Not only does it eliminate negative emotions, but it is now known that laughter is good for your health too.

One way to effectively use humor to improve your health, is to try "Laughter Therapy". Therapy isn't usually seen as a humorous thing, but it can be now! Laughter therapy is used to teach people how to laugh openly again at things, which we deal with that aren't usually funny. Basically to cope in difficult situations by using humor.

The ability to laugh when you have a problem or are in a situation gives us power and a feeling of superiority. A hopeful and positive attitude is encouraged by laughter and humor. Humor gives us a sense of perspective on our problems. Laughter can help to release negative emotions, which if held inside, can make biochemical changes, which effect our body. When we laugh, we are basically playing with our pain. Laughter is warm, bonding and contagious. So beware "LAUGHTER IS HAZARDOUS TO YOUR ILLNESS!"

Dr. Hunter "Patch" Adams has made pioneering efforts in the field of humor therapy. Thank you to Mr. Steve Wilson.

Patch Adams
The Movie "Patch Adams" is a perfect example of therapeutic humor. "Patch Adams" tells the true story of a young man who is inspired to become a doctor while institutionalised for depression. While attending medical school he used his weird and wacky ways to ease patients tension and anxiety, and enhances their healing through the use of humor.

He visited the kid's wards and dressed up in clown suits, and did all kinds of silly humorous things to improve the kids stay in hospital. Not only was Patch their doctor but he also became their friend. He did everything he could, to make his patient's stay in hospital an enjoyable one.

Patch Adams Thank you to Joan Tinei for this photo.

Dr Hunter 'Patch' Adams, is also the founder and director of the Gesundheit! Institute, a holistic medical community. It has provided free of charge medical care to thousands of people. Patch has used his clowning talents all around the world bringing joy to sick people. Clowning is now used in quite a few hospitals around the world as a form of therapeutic humor. Follow this link to learn more about 'Patch' Adams and his Gesundheit! Institute.

People all have different tastes in humor, what one person finds funny, may be offensive or seem pathetic to another. Clowns are an old favourite for many people. Follow this link to find out more about clowns, and why people may think they are funny. Clowns are also used in many hospitals as a type of therapeutic humor. They visit the kid's wards and brighten the spirits of sick children.

Humor is a very effective tool in many ways, therapy is only one way of looking at the beneficial effects that humor has on our body and mind. Have a look around our site for some more info on Laughter and Humor.

Mr. Wilson, who knows Patch Adams, took the photo above and granted us permission to use it. He is a humor therapist, lecturer and author and is the president of the American World Laughter Tour. His efforts and those of Dr. Madan Kataria of India are breaking new ground in the USA using the techniques of yoga and laughter to start branch groups using humor therapy. His two web sites are http://www.stevewilson.com and http://www.worldlaughtertour.com.