Laughter is the release of emotional pain.

Laughter is a useful alternative expression of pain.

Through laughter one may leave crying and feeling like a victim
     behind while moving toward healing and feeling like a survivor.

Laughter enables the processing of information in a new way.
     New views lead to new solutions.

Laughter may lead to tears and may help a person through
     denial and start the process of grieving.

Techniques include:

Identify your style of laughter:

Tee-Hee
Ha-Ha
Ho-Ho
Uhh-Uhh

Match laughter with painful experience, e.g. "Can you say _______, tee-hee, ha-ha?"

Let it all out.

Amplify sounds and accompanying body movements.

Have and use humor-producing toys.

Learn what you laugh about.

Reframe problems in a light, positive and, possibly, humorous way.

Relieve your guilt for laughing.

Respect yourself-laugh with yourself, not at yourself.

Engage in "light activities."

Use positive affirmations, e.g. write down "________, tee-hee, ha-ha, ho-ho" and tape it to your bathroom mirror. Add a smiley face. Say it twice a day while trying to get the tips of your lips to touch your ear lobes.

Schedule time with pain and use Campbell's Soup Ending.