Managing Caregiver Stress With
Therapeutic Laughter
With Leslie Ahern MS and CLL (Certified Laughter Leader)
Therapeutic Laughter Technique Presentation is customized for either family or professional caregivers. The program begins with an overview of what causes stress and how it physically impacts the body. Personal anecdote to convey how long-term care giving stress affected me physically, emotionally and behaviorally. Participants are led in a discussion on how stress impacts them physically(e.g.) headaches, shoulder tension, sleeplessness, chest tightness and emotionally
- Short Presentation on what laughter does physically and bio-chemically in your body that makes it such a great Stress buster
- Presentation of the first step to laughter -teach deep diaphragmatic breathing. Then transition this breathing to slow intentional laughter on the exhilaration.
- The teaching of various" laughter exercises" that help to relax various muscle groups and/or provide aerobic benefit.
- Group exercises, which include music making and dance. Presenting of how to integrate laughing exercises in to chores of house cleaning, cooking and care giving tasks
- The Closing includes discussion of how we can care and nurture ourselves and each person is given the *Caregiver Promise handout which helps them identify and choose three ways in which they will bring joy and laughter into their lives. They will also be urged to write three ways in which they will ask for help for help from others.
Laughter for Fun and Fitness
For Residents in Memory Impairment Programs
- Breathing games to slow down respiration and reduce excitability.
- Moving expirations into sounds and laughter
- Combining the sounds and laughter with movements like stretches , walking and simple dance(when possible).These can all be seated as well as standing.
- Music making with tambourines. maracas, bells and small drums.
- Combining the above to create a "Parade" or "Dance" for closure.
Don't Forget Laughter, Stress busting and Team Building for Your Staff