6 . You know that old saying that laughter is the best medicine. Well, studies have long shown that laughter can have a positive effect both physically and emotionally. In South Korea, a nation more used to holding back its emotions, at least one hospital is encouraging patients to let loose on their regular basis.

Laughing, for those cancer patients and their families, is a weekly exercise at Seoul National University hospital. It is something that does not come easy for them, but an hour of laughter therapy (疗法） is all it takes to fight depression that often follows chemical treatment. Lim Song Li, a therapist at the hospital, was once a depression patient herself. She now is a laughter therapist and says when you laugh, blood vessels expand,and sugar levels drop, producing an abundance of hormones (激素）linked with happiness and pleasure. But in Korean culture, where Confucian tradition dominates(主导）social behavior,laughing is not a nature thing. Korean men are taught not to cry more than three times in their lifetime. And the sound of a Korean woman's laughter should not be heard outside the fence of her home. But inside this hospital,they are letting it out. By the end of the session, they make belief laughs somehow become their own.

If laughing requires effort,more natural to Koreans, it is singing. The sing-song star therapist, famous for her therapy sessions to fight housewife depression,Jeong Ji Song says singing is an easier way to express inner feelings,especially for Korean women brought up in the conservative background. For some,these classes can be a stress-management tool,but for many more who suffer from depression, learning to sing out their heart can be a healing process.

It not only helped Ying Seung Woo come out of severe depression, but also presented her with a new career. After taking up singing therapy, she found a talent in herself-cheer-leading. And now she is taking courses to become a certified therapist.

7 . We all know the saying, “Nobody is perfect.” It has been planted in our brains since we were children, and of course, it is the truth. So if nobody is perfect, why do we have such a hard time admitting when we are in trouble or need help?

Like many other young people trying to get through their first year of college, I felt anxiety, and it had its grips on me pretty tight. It began getting in the way of my life, and I had to sit down and tell myself that my behavior was not healthy and there was a solution. Finally, I decided to turn to therapy(精神疗法).

Therapy. It has such a negative stigma (污名), but why? Does going to therapy mean that you are failing as a person or that you cannot fix your problems on your own? No. Going to therapy means that you are strong enough to recognize that something inside your head is not working correctly, and you are brave enough to try to fix it.

After a couple of weeks, many parts of my life became so much clearer. I began to understand that I, myself, am my worst enemy, which was pretty frightening. But, although frightened, I knew that it was only I who could guide me towards feeling better, and that was extremely empowering.

I have been guided towards a healthier mindset, one that is positive and powerful. I have been able to understand that no matter what happens in my life. I will always be okay.

A lot of people do not understand that it is normal to have negative feelings and sometimes to feel like we have lost control over certain parts of our lives. Seeing a therapist can greatly change your way of thinking about something if you keep your mind open and I am so thankful that I decided to go and do something for myself.

If you are in need of help, you can go to therapy and then everything will be okay.