By Shamsiya Hussainpoor
Belgrave Library will be hosting an event on Saturday 16 November from 11am to 12pm, where visitors can discover the power of laughter and participate in laughter exercises, all guided by a book that covers it all.
A leading laughter expert and chief executive officer of Laughter Yoga Australia, Merv Neal will lead the session, sharing insights from his latest work on the therapeutic benefits of laughter.
“We’ll be doing some interactive laughter exercises to show people how laughter can change their mindset and well-being,” Mr Neal said.
“It’s not about being funny – it’s about creating a space where people can laugh together and experience the benefits for themselves.”
Laughter has long been called the best medicine, but for an increasing number of researchers and health professionals, it’s also a powerful tool for preventing illness and boosting well-being.
Mr Neal, along with international colleagues, has co-authored ‘The Positive Psychology of Laughter and Humour’, a new academic book that explores how laughter can positively impact mental, emotional, and physical health.
For the first time, he will present the book in person at Belgrave Library.
The book, written alongside Dr Freda Gonot-Schoupinsky and Professor Jerome Carson, highlights the growing recognition of laughter as an important part of mental health care.
Mr Neal believes laughter, even without a funny trigger, can improve mental health, boost mood, and strengthen emotional resilience.
One key idea explored in the book is Dr Gonot-Schoupinsky’s “Laughie” prescription, which encourages people to intentionally laugh every day to enhance well-being.
Mr Neal’s personal journey into laughter therapy began after he battled a serious illness in 2002, which left him with brain haemorrhages.
While doctors were unsure of his recovery, he found that laughter, particularly through laughter yoga, helped him heal both mentally and physically.
His recovery inspired his career, and now Mr Neal travels Australia and beyond, teaching people how laughter can reduce stress and improve health.
“Laughter isn’t just a response to something funny – it’s an intentional practice that can shift your mindset and, as our research shows, even improve physical health,” he said.
“The beauty of laughter is that there are no negative side effects, unlike many medications, making it an easy and low-risk way to boost your well-being.”
Mr Neal has also worked with businesses and health organisations across Australia, including Deakin University and the Victorian Health Industry, to bring laughter and stress management techniques to the workplace.
In addition to his work on the book, co-author Dr Freda Gonot-Schoupinsky recently completed her PhD in psychology at the University of Bolton, focusing on laughter prescriptions and positive psychology.
She developed the “Laughie” model, which encourages people to laugh for one minute a day, then replay it multiple times throughout the day to improve mood.
Professor Jerome Carson, another key author, is a respected psychologist at the University of Bolton and an expert in positive psychology. He believes laughter is a revolutionary addition to mental health care, especially for patients with conditions like depression, anxiety, and psychosis.
Professor Carson suggests that laughter could one day be prescribed by doctors as part of social prescribing initiatives aimed at supporting mental and emotional health.
The book, published by Emerald Publishing, is targeted at health professionals and academics, offering an in-depth look at the science behind laughter’s positive effects.
It explores the connection between laughter and humour, and how laughter can be used as a therapeutic tool to improve mood, manage stress, and even enhance physical health.
All three authors stress that laughter doesn’t need to be funny to be effective, challenging traditional views that humour is a must for laughter to have benefits.
To learn more about Merv Neal’s work or to get involved in the Laughter Yoga community, contact him directly at: merv@mervneal.com
