Can humour improve your mental health? Register for our upcoming Thrive session and find out!

Feb 1, 2023

ARTICLE

Can you remember a time when you laughed so hard your stomach hurt or you spit out your milk? 

Remember how good you felt afterwards?

Glenn Rodgers says, that’s not a coincidence.

Laughter can act as a natural pain reliever by increasing your tolerance to pain, which can help during recovery after illness or surgery. It has been shown to reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol.

But there are other health benefits as well.

Laughter and humor can not only lift your spirits, but can support your emotional health.

Rodgers, who is one of CMHA NS Division’s Education Coordinators, will co-facilitate an upcoming workshop called Humour and Mental Health, which will examine the mental health benefits of humour and laughter, and explore how we can incorporate more humour into our lives.

Rodgers, a former teacher, often uses humour in his personal and professional life and says it can be a useful tool to help you cope with difficult circumstances.

“I have used humour as a coping mechanism in my own life, and I feel that others can benefit from using humour as well,” he adds.

“Laughter can certainly help to ease tension and stress in our lives, but it is not a cure. If someone is struggling for a prolonged period, they should get professional help.”

Humour and Mental Health will be held on Thursday, February 16 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Zoom.

The workshops are open to all Nova Scotians and is free to attend but those wishing to participate are asked to register in advance.

The workshop is being offered through CMHA NS Division’s Thrive program. Thrive is a virtual learning centre where anyone can access free courses, webinars and workshops to learn, gain new skills, and connect with others in their community.

Workshops are developed by subject experts and mental health professionals, who work with people who have their own experience in personal recovery.