Laughter really is a good medicine
By Shane Dean, Jill Dando News
It is said that laughter is the best medicine and now it has been proved to be true.
A good old laugh is not only good for your fun levels, but also boosts the brain and health.
These days after Covid 19 and other turbulent world events, and the relentless bad news via 24.7 news and social media, it is too easy to feel down and stop laughing.
But research shows how good laughing is for you. Take Angie Belcher, a comic with a background in psychology, who teamed up with the National Health Service (NHS)-backed Wellspring Settlement Social Prescribing unit in Bristol to prescribe comedy classes to patients.
The “comedy on referral” class is aimed at helping those suffering from postnatal depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorders, and more.
With group work, games, and one-on-one coaching, the classes are a way to remove the taboo around discussing mental health.
The pilot has been labeled a success and has now won funding from the NHS to boost mental well-being.
For more from Angie see https://www.railwellbeinglive.co.uk/resources/rail-wellbeing-live/laughter-medicine
For more tonic tips see goodnewstonic.com
To book Shane email shane@thepurplesheep.com
