Laughing with the Joys and Troubles of Life Leads to Growth

Think about the last time you laughed. Not just a smile or a forced chuckle, really laughed. Think about how good it felt. You might even be smiling now remembering that happiness.

Laughter has key roles in both the happiness and the stress of life, and that's the message that Lisa Wessan, a licensed social worker based in Chelmsford, wants to share with her community.

Wessan describes herself as an "inspirational author, counselor, coach, seminar leader, and speaker."

Whether she's speaking to an audience of caregivers on the benefits of laughter as a coping mechanism or helping a client relax with calming techniques, Wessan's goal is to improve lives through stress-management and mindfulness.

A native New Yorker with a background in journalism and network television show production, Wessan felt a need for a change in 2000. She earned her license in social work and began working at an urban hospital with patients.

"I was facilitating weekly wellness groups on laughter therapy, clutter to clarity, depression support and more," Wessan said.

Wessan's work was soon featured in the Wall Street Journal, The New York Daily News, and other media outlets. She began receiving requests to appear as a keynote speaker at gatherings. Wessan found that she enjoyed speaking publicly about her work and educating audiences.

"All of my keynote and training programs have been approved for continuing education units, so I am often invited to speak at places where licensed professionals stay on the cutting edge of their field and receive (credit) for attending my programs," she said.

Wessan has continued her traveling, speaking and training schedule after moving to North Chelmsford a few years ago and opening an office downtown where continues to see clients.

"There are many ways to reduce stress, and I think all of them are useful," Wessan said. "Clearly, being mindful of how we exercise, eat, sleep, socialize, and decompress from the day are significant to a healthy life. So laughter is available as another tool to add to your stress management tool box."

Wessan said some of the benefits of laughter therapy include:

• reduces levels of serum cortisol, a stress hormone
• increases oxygenation to the brain
• improves memory and cognitive ability
• increases immunoglobin A, which helps prevent flu and colds
• gives internal organs a beneficial gentle massage

• laughter diverts attention away from pain, mental or physical
• increases flexibility in thinking
• allows us to be defenseless and open to new experiences and people in a non-judgmental way

On top of seeing clients, giving talks, and hosting "Z Lighter Side of Transformation," a weekly show on Chelmsford Public Access Television, Wesson is working on her first book concerning laughter therapy. She has collected stories from her practice to illustrate the positive effects laughter can have.

"From the micro to the macro level, I see evidence of how laughter is a powerful tool for healing, transformation, and more inner peace," Wessan said.

One client named Elena participated in the weekly Laughter Therapy group Wessan held at a New York hospital. "She was 74 years old, married, mother of four adult children who lived nearby, and she was aware, alert, oriented, and high functioning," Wessan described.

Elena always arrived early for the group and was well put-together. Therefore, it was surprising when she came late to a session, disheveled and upset.

Wessan discovered that a ceiling in Elena's apartment had caved in the day before. There was no "warning bubble" or other sign of trouble, just a loud crashing and then the entire living room ceiling was on the floor.

Elena was understandably upset and afraid, but she called her husband and children to come help. After her husband arrived, the older couple worried about what to do, discussed their next steps with the landlord, and began to realize how crazy the situation was.

That realization was the key. "Once she tapped into the absurdity of the situation, a light went off in Elena's head" Wessan said. "She remembered all the sessions in our Laughter Therapy group where she laughed really hard at the various absurdities, incongruities, and paradoxes of our lives."

Elena began to laugh and her husband joined in.

"When her children arrived soon after, they found their parents in the kitchen laughing hysterically... releasing so much of the stress."

Elena's laughter training helped in the jarring situation, and she was able to quickly share her release with the rest of her family.

"Usually people cannot laugh right away; when they are in the throes of a trauma, they usually go right into fear, pain, shame, and regret." Wessan continued, "Due to Elena's extensive training with me, she bypassed a good part of the victim drama and went right to the emotional turnaround and solution with laughter and tears."

In the end, Elena's apartment was repaired, and she and her husband said that the cave-in was the best thing that ever happened to them as their family worked through the experience together.

Wessan has enjoyed growing her business in Chelmsford and splits her meetings with clients between a downtown office and another space in Acton.

"Chelmsford is a great town to be in, located in the heart of the Merrimack Valley and near so many other beautiful towns and cities," she said.

Wessan continues to speak domestically and internationally on topics such as: decluttering your mind, home and office;  team building with laughter; theraputic laughter for caregivers; relaxation techniques; and multidimensional marketing techniques.

Wessan has high aspirations for her practice, laughter therapy, and health through mindfulness on the whole.

"My vision includes having a licensed laughter therapist in every hospital and clinic in the world, and more laughter therapy trainings for clinicians, teachers and other licensed health and education providers as part of their continuing education and enrichment for their careers," she said.

Wesson aims to move toward this goal by publishing her book as well as further manuals and trainings for those interested.

Wessan would also like to see laughter therapy advanced in popular culture.

"I would also like to see a wildly funny documentary film made based on my book," she said. "Many of my case histories are off the chart funny, and would make a great teaching film to help launch this work into the world in a big way."

If you would like to learn more about Wessan's work, visit her Web site or connect with her on Facebook. A monthly public session is in the works and details will be available soon at her Web site.