Katy has always used humor to diffuse stress and anxiety of patients but was intrigued to learn more of the practice of Laughter Yoga when her work started an Intensive Cardiac Rehabilitation Program. She traveled three hours to participate in several programs before taking the leap into becoming a Laughter Leader, and then after a few years to become a Laughter Teacher. Katy is known as the Laughing Nurse. With a quick wit that creates laughter, patients and staff feel welcomed and engaged in their own journey. With a magnetic, captivating and high spirited style, participants after a session comment on how they feel calm but energized through the use of this Mirthful Medicine.
Katy believes in education and that stress management is important as stress is a risk factor for job satisfaction. Working in healthcare has always been stressful but since COVID started it has elevated the stress and disconnect to new levels never seen before. For this reason, healthcare teams are currently at high risk and needing tools in order to survive these trying times.
Katy Maag BSN, RN, CCRP is a Registered Nurse in a Cardiac Rehabilitation Unit where she assists heart patients in stress management and heart health education. She is a Stress Management Coach, Laughter Therapist and Teacher, a Member of the American College of Cardiology, American Association of Cardiac Pulmonary Rehabilitation, and active in advocating for Heart Health and Mental Health for healthcare teams and patients at a national level. She has been nominated as a Nurse of Hope and presented several times for The Ohio American Association of Cardiac Pulmonary Rehabilitation.
In this article:
Name: Katy Maag
Company: https://katymaag.com/
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Table of Contents
Introduce us to who Katy Maag is. What is your origin story?
Katy Maag: I’m a Mom, Caregiver, Author, Coach, and Laughter Wellness Teacher passionate about helping everyone find the joy in their lives.
How did you first come up with the idea of using humor in cardiac rehab therapy?
Katy Maag: Well, there are two parts to that story!
Firstly, my patients would be so stress and anxious that their shoulders would be all of the way to their ears! At first, I looked for old comedies to help with the morale and joy. This was very beneficial as you could watch them become more comfortable and begin talking to others even building a relationship that often lasted past the time in rehab.
I stumbled upon Laughter Yoga by accident and to be honest it is one of the best things I’ve ever found in my life! Laughter has multiple benefits but stress is the number one issue I personally utilize it for.
Share a specific success story where humor significantly impacted a patient’s recovery.
Katy Maag: Once, I had a patient going through so much that we didn’t even realize. He used rehab for the exercise and to help himself get better but his mental health was affected. by taking care of his ill wife He began to use these tools and was able to start laughing again and feel seen and heard. Although his wife did pass, I know his entire family benefitted and has thanked me for helping him to this day.
One time, I did a Laughter class and a lady approached me and thanked me that less than a month before this talk her husband was ill and then passed. She shared with me that she had forgotten how to laugh and this class reminded her not only why she likes laughing, but it helped her to navigate his passing.
Can you tell us more about your “Humor-U” program and its key components?
Katy Maag: I developed a six part program that breaks down six areas that Humor can benefit a person not only personally but professionally: Healthier Happiness, Unwind with Laughter, Mind-Body Bliss, Optimism and Resilience , Richer Relationship, and Ultimate Growth Unleashed.
What inspired you to become a certified Laughter Yoga teacher, and how has it influenced your practice?
Katy Maag: I was doing an Intensive Cardiac rehab program and was in charge of Stress Management Classes. The first time we watched the video on how to learn to manage stress, some of the techniques they brought up included improv class, comedy, and laughter yoga. To say it piqued my interest was an understatement! I have used laughter as a coping mechanism for years, but realized if I could help the patients with their stress and to have a more enjoyable experience, I was all for it!
You recently embarked on a new endeavor to spread the power of optimism and joy to a new audience through your Children’s Book: Turn That Frown Upside Down! What inspired you to write the story?
Katy Maag: I was inspired as a kid. My Grandpa had a heart attack, open heart surgery, and then had a stroke. My Grandma worked as a secretary and we would stay with him a few hours after school until she got home. I watched as he did struggle, like we all do in life, and he would say a kitten, a kitten a pup and a hound all went around with their tails sticking down . But on the days he felt well he would say a kitten, a kitten and pup and a pup all went around with their tails sticking up.
To me, this describes life. When our world is heavy, our tails drag, but when we are in good spirits, our tails stick up and we are more upbeat.
What do you hope children and families take away from your book?
Katy Maag: For Kids:
It’s okay to feel sad sometimes.
Smiling can help make you feel better.
Friends can help cheer you up when you’re down.
You can choose how to react to things.
Having a good attitude can make hard things easier.
For Parents:
Help your kids understand all feelings are normal.
Teach children they can influence their mood.
Encourage kids to support their friends emotionally.
Show how positive thinking can help in tough situations.
Share family stories and wisdom with your children.
For Both:
Laughter can help during stressful times.
It’s normal to have bad days, but we can try to improve them.
Our attitude affects how we see and handle challenges.
We can learn important life lessons from older family members.
Talking about feelings together is important.
How do you envision your children’s book creating an impact? How has writing the book impacted your life?
Katy Maag: Writing this book has helped me grow as a person, allowing me to think deeply about the time spent with my grandfather. This allowed me to process the memories and understand the lessons I learned from him. In the book, I share how I use laughter to deal with stress. This teaches young readers a helpful way to handle tough times. My hope is that the story shows children it’s okay to have bad times and bad days, helping them to understand and accept their feelings.
By showing that we can control how we react to things, the book helps readers feel more in charge of their emotions. My book brings together what I learned as a child and what I understand as an adult, making it meaningful for both children and adults. Creating this story was like a journey of finding out more about myself. It also honors my grandfather’s memory. Through writing, I’ve come to understand more about dealing with emotions and the power of positive thinking. Now, I can share these important life lessons with many people.
How can our readership connect with and support you?
Katy Maag: Katy Maag Facebook or KM Wellness Consulting Facebook Or Katy Maag Linkedin.
Brooke Young, VIP Contributor to WellnessVoice and the host of this interview would like to thank Katy Maag for taking the time to do this interview and share her knowledge and experience with our readers.
If you would like to get in touch with Katy Maag or her company, you can do it through her – Linkedin Page
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