Brenda Behan: "As a child, I found it easy to laugh and always appreciated the humour in life," says Brenda Behan, a social worker who cares for people with physical and sensory disabilities in Dublin.
Through her stress management studies, she knew of the positive effects of laughter on the immune system, and more recently studied dance and movement for her own self-expression. When she heard about Mary Mitchell's two-day laughter workshop, she was immediately interested.
"I found it very relaxing and felt the benefit physically and emotionally and knew I could apply it in my work. But I would stress that using laughter professionally is not about being trivial, inappropriate or making light of a situation. People may be ill, dealing with loss, so it is important to be careful and respectful.
"On the other hand, I find I am not afraid to be happy and cheerful when that seems right, lifting the spirits, being playful and sharing. I use what I've learnt in group work as an icebreaker, in working with young people who can find new situations quite daunting.
"Many of the people I work with are the butt of jokes so helping them to find their own laughter is useful. Fun and laughter have a lot to offer people in the caring profession which can be quite heavy. I see it as a resource. Today I'm happier too, more positive and when I look at life, the glass is half-full."
For more information on laughter clubs/workshops, contact Mary Mitchell at 1800 946 466 or log on to www.laughteryogaireland.org/www.laughteryoga.org