Laughter, the best medicine. It has a curative effect on the body, mind and emotions. The 'ground-breaking guru' of the benefits of laughter was Norman Cousins. Many years ago he was diagnosed as being 'terminally ill' and his chance for recovery was given as one in five hundred - not very good odds by anyone's reckoning. With a possible six months to live Norman did a great deal of soul searching and came to the conclusion that his health was affected by negative influences within himself such as anger, worry and depression. He reasoned that if his illness was caused by negativity he could become well again by using the most positive activity he knew?laughter.


A Subjective Experiment
Making an experiment of himself, Norman rented all the comedy movies he could find? This was before VCR so he had to rent actual films. In almost unbearable pain he discovered that by laughing for five solid minutes the pain was relieved for several hours and he was able to sleep.He read, and had friends read or tell him any funny stories they could find to keep him laughing.
By laughing himself to health Norman Cousins made a full recovery against all odds and lived for another healthy, happy and productive twenty years. In his book 'Anatomy of an Illness' he credits visualisation, love of family and friends and healing laughter for his recovery.


Clowning Around
A more recent example is portrayed by the US radical GP "Patch" Adams who dresses as a clown in his surgery and makes his patients laugh. "Patch" takes the time to become a friend to his patients and is a firm advocate of the value of laughter. His unusual approach to his vocation and the dramatic results he achievesare luring hundreds of doctors and nurses to his new hospital in South Virginia wherehe integrates all the healing arts?traditional medicine and surgery, acupuncture,homeopathy, faith healing, friendship and humour.

A Social Service
As scientific studies have shown conclusively that laughter maintains health and negates anger, worry, depression and stress, perhaps, like "Patch" Adams,all sombre, suited professionals such as Bank Managers, Tax Consultants, Politicians, CEO's could lighten up, encourage laughter, dress in natty fancy dress costumes andthereby contribute a significant social service to the health of a nation. Think about it!