January-March 2019: Laughter Therapy


They say laughter is the best medicine and I say, they are right. Being happy makes one look at life positively. However, as an individual age, being optimistic can become a challenge, it is the stage when negativity sets in. It is after all, the end life crisis. Older person progressively develops physiological function deterioration and psychological susceptibility. They become more vulnerable and frail. And according to the World Health Organization, mental disorders affect approximately 15% of the population over the age of sixty. Depression is one of those mental disorders that the elderlies are prone to. Medicines can cure depression, but in a far-flung community like Venus, Sergio OsmeƱa, one needs to cross mountains and rivers to see a psychiatrist.
With the mental health cases in the barangay, Team Venus decided to bring laughter therapy to one of the most prone age group to depression, the elderlies. Physical exercise can help treat depression. According to Laughter Yoga International, scientific studies have proven that Laughter Yoga increases the net supply of oxygen to our body cells giving a sense of well-being. It is ideal for seniors to reap the scientifically proved benefits of laughter to improve their health and well-being. It helps to provide an emotional bonding and is one of the most powerful tools against depression. Laughter yoga has been presented by Dr. Madan Kataria, a physician in India, in 1995. Itwas introduced to the Philippines last 2010 by Mr. Paolo Trinidad who received direct training from the Indian physician, Dr. Kataria.
The group made a program called “HAHAHA-KATAWA: A Laughter Therapy and Exercise Program” tailored suit for the senior citizens. It’s a once a week purok-purok program which consists of laughter therapy and Zumba exercise for elderlies. The program started last January 19, 2019. Team Venus was able to invite Mr. Paolo Trinidad to share with us his expertise. He trained all the members of team as well as the Barangay Health Worker Mrs. Fe Malvarosa on laughter therapy. With the opening of the program, Mr. Trinidad facilitated the first session himself. The program aimed to fight against depression among the elderlies. For the past six weeks, the team was able to bring smiles and laughter to the elderlies in the community. It has become an activity that the senior citizens look forward to. HAHAHA-KATAWA brought joy not only to our senior citizens but to every one who sees them laughing. Team Venus will surely continue its fight against mental health illnesses. We will continue to choose happiness for our dear lolo and lolas.







 

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About

We are nine (9) passionate, dedicated and goal-oriented medical students with diverse personalities who came together to achieve one goal. We are an all-scholar group with the intention to serve God and His people. For the next four years in the medical school, we have a vision to help the people in the community to become self-reliant. Through community participation and cooperation, everything can be achieved. We choose to serve the community. We choose to serve Venus. | web counter hits

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