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 Osmeña, 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. 
