- Written by EDITOR
THE World Laughter Master, Belachew Girma, has urged
Africans to establish the habit of laughter as a therapy for stress and
fatigue.
Girma, who made the remarks at the 11th Ethiopian National Laughter Day on Thursday in Addis Ababa said Africans must find some time off and laugh as part of effort to address health challenges caused by stress and fatigue.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the National Laughter Day was set aside by the Ethiopian Government in 2002 and is usually marked with celebrations, dance, drama and laughter competition among the young and old.
``You can change the World with the power of laughter and happiness even in times of sorrow and sadness.
``Ethiopia is the only country that officially celebrate the National Day of Laughter in the World and that makes it unique and different,’’ Girma said.
``We have the support of the Ethiopian government to create a festive and meaningful event that will touch every citizen. We hope to bring political and business leaders to Addis Ababa to share the positive effects of laughter with us,’’ Graham said.
According to him, the driving force behind the Ethiopia National Laughter Day was to enable people create something to laugh over as most Ethiopians do not seem to have a lot to laugh about.
Girma told NAN that many years ago his hotel in the south of Ethiopia burned down.
``After rebuilding the place, the area in which the hotel was located was flooded. So I lost everything, again and my wife had died of HIV, I read a text in the Bible that said, laugh with famine and disaster.’’
Girma said that was just what he did.
``Girma being a man, who likes to smile and have fun, started to use laughter as a therapy for himself and for others.
``He became well-known for it and in 2002 the Ethiopian government put laughter in the centre of attention and declared Oct. 31 as a National Laughter Day,'' he said.
NAN reports that over the years, Girma had become one of the best-known laughing gurus and later the World Laughing master teaching people about the benefits of laughter.
He said: ``When you laugh, your body produces antidepressants like dopamine and serotonin, and endorphins, the body morphine, which makes you feel good. Laughter also reduces the levels of stress hormones and boosts your immune system.’’
Girma said laughter could be used as a diplomacy pass key ``if we can get leaders and decision makers to laugh together, we break down lots of barriers. They will negotiate more openly and honestly. The Ethiopia National Laughter Day is all about that.``
The 11th National Laughter Day celebrations attracted thousands of students, Elementary School Pupils the elderly people, HIV-infected and disabled people for a programme of laughter, such as laughter competitions, speeches.
Meanwhile, the Laughter master said he had graduated about 150 laughter professionals from the school established three years ago to assist persons with stress, fatigue as well as those with psychological challenges in the country.
``The professionals are now providing various services to persons with such challenges in hospitals and work places.
``Laughter is a great vehicle for peace,’’ Girma said. (NAN)
Girma, who made the remarks at the 11th Ethiopian National Laughter Day on Thursday in Addis Ababa said Africans must find some time off and laugh as part of effort to address health challenges caused by stress and fatigue.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the National Laughter Day was set aside by the Ethiopian Government in 2002 and is usually marked with celebrations, dance, drama and laughter competition among the young and old.
``You can change the World with the power of laughter and happiness even in times of sorrow and sadness.
``Ethiopia is the only country that officially celebrate the National Day of Laughter in the World and that makes it unique and different,’’ Girma said.
``We have the support of the Ethiopian government to create a festive and meaningful event that will touch every citizen. We hope to bring political and business leaders to Addis Ababa to share the positive effects of laughter with us,’’ Graham said.
According to him, the driving force behind the Ethiopia National Laughter Day was to enable people create something to laugh over as most Ethiopians do not seem to have a lot to laugh about.
Girma told NAN that many years ago his hotel in the south of Ethiopia burned down.
``After rebuilding the place, the area in which the hotel was located was flooded. So I lost everything, again and my wife had died of HIV, I read a text in the Bible that said, laugh with famine and disaster.’’
Girma said that was just what he did.
``Girma being a man, who likes to smile and have fun, started to use laughter as a therapy for himself and for others.
``He became well-known for it and in 2002 the Ethiopian government put laughter in the centre of attention and declared Oct. 31 as a National Laughter Day,'' he said.
NAN reports that over the years, Girma had become one of the best-known laughing gurus and later the World Laughing master teaching people about the benefits of laughter.
He said: ``When you laugh, your body produces antidepressants like dopamine and serotonin, and endorphins, the body morphine, which makes you feel good. Laughter also reduces the levels of stress hormones and boosts your immune system.’’
Girma said laughter could be used as a diplomacy pass key ``if we can get leaders and decision makers to laugh together, we break down lots of barriers. They will negotiate more openly and honestly. The Ethiopia National Laughter Day is all about that.``
The 11th National Laughter Day celebrations attracted thousands of students, Elementary School Pupils the elderly people, HIV-infected and disabled people for a programme of laughter, such as laughter competitions, speeches.
Meanwhile, the Laughter master said he had graduated about 150 laughter professionals from the school established three years ago to assist persons with stress, fatigue as well as those with psychological challenges in the country.
``The professionals are now providing various services to persons with such challenges in hospitals and work places.
``Laughter is a great vehicle for peace,’’ Girma said. (NAN)
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