Now that’s funny! Val James and June Slater (front) with laughter-buddies (from left) Marie Tye, Christine McLeod, Jen Mackay, Sheila Wood, Aileen Stinten, Kath McKay, Zillah Postlethwaite, Fran Allen and Marie Tyrrell.By Kath Gannaway
IF YOU don’t believe that laughter is a tonic, have a chat, or a laugh, with members of the Healesville U3A laughter Club.
Val James leads the group, which meets each Friday morning in Queen’s Park for a bit of fun.
“Laughter really is the world’s best medicine,” said Val.
“We start off with some false laughter, but the brain doesn’t know it’s false and with the start of our laughter, the endorphins in the brain begin working.
“Hormones are released, such as seratonin and oxytocins, and we all feel good,” she said.
The group is a maximum of 10 people whose ages range from 55 upwards.
“We spend about 30 minutes trying out a few mimes, hearing a couple of jokes and generally enjoying ourselves,” Val explained.
Having delved into the “science” of laughter, Val said humour was vital to the human adventure.
And, it’s not all just for fun.
“It can exercise and sharpen our minds and it has been suggested that humour can tune our minds, help us to learn and keep us mentally loose and creative,” she added.
The U3A Laughter Club welcomes more members. Phone Val on 5962 2237 for further information and meeting times.
