Laughter is the best medicine

For those suffering from illnesses or losses, Lisa Wessan of North Chelmsford acknowledges that life is not a laughing matter. Yet, she said, laughter meditation and laughter yoga are proven ways of reducing stress, boosting the immune system, and subsequently improving one's physical and emotional well-being.

"We all have shared pain and suffering. Rather than spending all day concentrating on the negative, however, we can find joy despite the fact there are all these things going on in our lives and in the world."

An author, speaker, and "joy-based" counselor and coach, Wessan will discuss the physiological, psychological, and spiritual benefits of extended laughter sessions during a lecture tomorrow in Nashua. Her "personal goal" is reducing self-defeating behaviors by demonstrating how to shift focus from a rude driver or slow restaurant service to more soothing thoughts.

"People seem to be able to handle big issues like dying or divorce because they can say, 'It's out of my hands; I can't control it,' and move on. It's the little, petty situations that wear us down. If you learn to laugh for no reason, then you'll be ready when life's bigger challenges come."

Wessan will present "Healing With Laughter: The Lighter Side of Transformation" from 6:45 to 9 p.m. tomorrow at the Holistic Self Care Center in Nashua. The cost is $40. To register, call 603-883-1490 or visit thehsccenter.com.

JERICHO ROAD RIDE: As chairman of the Lowell Transitional Living Center, John Wells of Westford knows the value of the Concord-based Jericho Road Project, which offers free professional services to Lowell nonprofit organizations. Through his sister's experiences of being homeless in California, he also has special empathy for the clients of the Transitional Living Center's shelter and soup kitchen.

"For someone to make the decision to come into a shelter, a lot in their life has failed," Wells said. "It can be a very difficult step."

While 10 percent of the US population lives at or below the poverty line, according to Wells, that figure is 21 percent in Lowell. In the last four years, through Jericho Road, 160 professionals have provided more than 6,000 hours of volunteer time valued at $1 million to 65 nonprofit organizations in Lowell.

Because it's "the right thing to do to support the cause," Wells will participate next Sunday in the fourth annual Jericho Road Ride, a bike event from Concord Center to Boarding House Park in Lowell, with proceeds benefiting both Jericho Road and the center. The event offers routes of 10, 20, 40, and 100 miles. The rain date is Oct. 6. For more information, visit jerichoroadproject.org.

People items may be submitted to Cindy Cantrell at cantrell@globe.com.