Conquering stress might become a laughing matter as one Penn State student tries to start a laughing club.

That's right -- students would try to laugh for 15 to 30 consecutive minutes, said Becky Hawk (junior-journalism), who is trying to start the club on campus.

She said she wanted to start a club that was "just fun to join" and would allow students to relax.

The members would meet regularly to laugh aloud, have a comedy night or watch a funny movie, Hawk said.

She said her idea for the club is partially based on the idea from the movie Patch Adams, where laughter really was the best medicine.

"Studies have found that people who laugh live longer than those who don't laugh as much," she said. "It is a proven fact that laughter lowers stress and anxiety."

She added that regular laughter is healthier than going out drinking to release tension.

Hawk also said laughter releases endorphins, the body's natural painkillers.

"Laughter and humor make life better in many ways. There have been many studies about the benefits of laughter for the immune system and illness recovery," said Mary Anne Knapp, clinical social worker at the Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS).

She added that humor is one factor that CAPS uses as part of stress management programs.

Although the club has not officially started, Hawk said she thinks students would initially laugh at the idea of a laughing club, but they should give it a try.

She said she already has one friend interested in joining. However, she said she doesn't plan on finding a professor to sponsor it until she knows the club will be successful. "Other places around the country have laughing clubs, so I feel like Penn State should have one," Hawk said.

According to a Laugh Angeles Foundation press release, there are currently more than 5,000 laughing clubs in 53 countries and about 200 laughing clubs in the U.S.

According to the press release, "Laughter clubs are fully independent, not-for-profit, non-political, non-religious and non-competitive community-based associations of diverse people where all are welcome regardless of gender, age, physical abilities, social or economic backgrounds."

Lydia Gonzales, a certified laughter leader with World Laughter Tour and certified laughter yoga teacher, leads several laughing clubs in California.

She said people of all ages and races come.

"People don't even need to speak the same language," she said.

Gonzales said anywhere from 10 to 20 people attend gathering each week and the sessions last for about an hour.

However, they only laugh for about 20 to 30 minutes of that.

"It provides an hour where people leave everything else at the door," she said.

Laughing clubs have also created a World Laughter Day, which is held annually on the first Sunday of May, according to the Laugh Angeles Foundation Web site.