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Health Benefits of Laughter Therapy
Extract from the book Laugh for No Reason by Dr. Madan Kataria
It is
more than five years now, since the first 'Laughter Club' was set up.
There is a growing demand for opening such clubs at many more places in
India and abroad. Almost everyday, more and more people are joining
Laughter Clubs and are being benefited. One of the reasons for these
benefits is of course that laughter puts the members in a positive frame
of mind and gradually makes them positive thinkers. People suffering from
a variety o
f stress related diseases have benefited in some way or the
other.
Anti Stress:
Laughter is one of the finest, most economical and easy to practice
anti-stress measures. Laughter is one of the best muscle relaxant.
Laughter expands blood vessels and sends more blood rising to the
extremities and other muscles all over the body. A good bout of laughter
also reduces the levels of stress hormones epineprine and cortisol. It can
be said to be a form of dynamic meditation or relaxation. For meditation,
one has to put in a concerted effort to completely detach oneself, on
mental and emotional levels, from one's own feelings and thought
processes, as well as from the physical world to prevent distractions. On
the other hand, while laughing, we do not have any conscious thought
process and all our senses naturally and effortlessly combine in a moment
of harmony, to give joy, peace and relaxation. In other types of
meditation you need to concentrate a lot to take your mind away from
distracting thoughts, which is easier said than done. Therefore, laughter
is, if I may say so, the easiest form of meditation, which brings you
instant relaxation.
Strengthens the Immune System:
Our immune system plays a most important role in keeping good health and
keeping away infections, allergies and cancers. It has been proved by
psychoneuroimmunologists that all negative emotions like anxiety,
depression or anger weaken the immune system of the body, thereby reducing
its fighting capacity against infections. According to Dr. Lee S. Berk
from Loma Linda University, California, USA, laughter helps to increase
the count of natural killer cells (NK cells - a type of white cell) and
also raises the antibody levels. Researchers have found that after
laughter therapy there is an increase in antibodies (Immunoglobulin A) in
the mucous on of the nose and respiratory passages, which is believed to
have protective capacity against some viruses, bacteria and other micro
organisms. There are many members of Laughter Clubs who have noticed that
the frequency of common colds, sore throats and chest infections has
decreased. The effect of laughter on our immune system is considered to be
very significant in regard to deadly disease like AIDS and Cancer.
Best Aerobic Exercise:
The one benefit almost everybody derives is a sense of well-being. After
15 minutes of laughter in the morning, they feel fresh throughout the day.
There is no medicine like laughter, which gives you such an instant
result. The reason for the sense of well being is that you inhale more
oxygen while laughing. Laughter can be compared to any aerobic exercises
except you don't have to wear fancy shoes or clothes. You don't need to
sweat out hard on the jogging tracks. According to Dr. William Fry from
Standford University one minute of laughter is equal to 10 minutes on the
rowing machine. In other words, laughter stimulates heart and blood
circulation equivalent to any other standard aerobic exercise. Laughter
exercise is suited for sedentary people and those who are confined to bed
or wheel chair.
Depression, anxiety and psychosomatic disorders:
The stress and strain of modern life are taking a heavy toll of the human
mind and body. Mind-related diseases like anxiety, depression, nervous
breakdowns and sleeplessness are on the rise. Laughter has benefited many
people who were on heavy anti depressant pills and tranquillizers. Now
they are getting better sleep and their depression has reduced. People
with suicidal tendencies have started living with more hope.
High Blood Pressure and Heart disease:
There are a number of causes for high blood pressure and heart disease
like heredity, obesity, smoking and excessive intake of saturated fats.
But stress is one of the major factors. Laughter definitely helps to
control blood pressure by reducing the release of stress related hormones
and bringing relaxation.
In experiments it has been proved that there is a drop of 10-20 mm.
pressure after participating for 10 minutes in a laughter session. It does
not
mean that those who are taking 2-3 tablets for blood pressure everyday
will be completely cured. Maybe, you will require 2 tablets if you are
taking 3, or borderline high blood pressure patients may not require any
medication after some time. It takes years to develop high blood pressure.
It cannot be reversed in a few days or a month. But definitely laughter
will exercise some control and arrest further progress of the disease.
Similarly, if you are at high risk of developing heart disease, laughter
could be the best preventive medicine. Those who are suffering from heart
disease and have stabilized on medication will find that laughter improves
the blood circulation and oxygen supply to the heart muscles. Due to
improvement of blood circulation there are less chances of forming a clot.
Those who have had heart attacks or have undergone bypass surgery can also
participate in a laughter Club's laughter therapy.
Natural Pain Killer:
Laughter increases the levels of endorphins in our bodies, which are
natural pain killers. Norman Cousins, an American journalist who was
suffering from incurable disease of the spine was benefited with laughter
therapy when no painkiller could help him. Endorphins released as a result
of laughter may help in reducing the intensity of pain in those suffering
from arthritis, spondylitis and muscular spasms of the body. Many women
have reported a reduced frequency of migraine and tension headaches.
Alleviates Bronchitis and Asthma:
Laughter is one of the best exercises for those suffering from asthma and
bronchitis. It improves the lung capacity and oxygen levels in the blood.
Doctors recommend chest physiotherapy to bring out mucous (phlegm) from the
respiratory passages. Blowing forcefully into an instrument and blowing
balloons is one of the common exercises given to asthmatics. Laughter does
the same job, more easily and almost free of cost. There are many
individuals suffering from asthma and bronchitis who are members of Laughter
Clubs. They have reported a reduced frequency of their attacks. Laughter
therapy may cause some discomfort if you have severe bronchospasm. There is
a small percentage of asthma cases who may get a little aggravation by doing
any exercise (exercise induced asthma). Such individuals should consult
their doctors before taking up laughter therapy.
One of the most common causes for frequent attacks of asthma is infection.
Laughter Therapy increases the antibody levels in the mucous membranes of
the respiratory passages, thereby reducing the frequency of chest
infections. It also tones up the normal mucous clearing system of the
bronchial tubes. Stress is another factor, which can bring on an attack of
asthma. By reducing stress, laughter can improve the prognosis of the
disease.
Improves Stamina in Athletes:
Since breathing capacity is one of the factors which determines stamina in
sports, laughter before any competitive sports activity will increase the
relaxation levels and hence, performance. Laughter, I think, can be
beneficially introduced as a regular exercise in any kind of sports
activity.
Internal Jogging:
There are plenty of exercises available for your body muscles, but laughing
provides a good massage to all internal organs. It enhances their blood
supply and increases their efficiency. It has been compared to magic
fingers, which reach into the interior of the abdomen and massage your
organs. The best massage it gives is to the intestines. It improves the
blood supply and helps the bowels to move properly.
Good
for Actors and Singers:
Laughter Therapy can be very beneficial for singers and actors. Increased
lung capacity and exercise of the diaphragm and abdominal muscles will help
to gain a better control over speech. Another benefit would be enhanced
self-confidence and reduced stage fright due to an increase in the body's
relaxation level, which results from laughter.
Makes You Look Younger:
People do exercise for all the muscles of the body, but there is no regular
exercise designed for facial muscles except in Yoga. Laughter is an
excellent exercise for your facial muscles. It tones up the muscles of the
face and improves facial expressions. When you laugh, your face becomes red
due to an increase in blood supply, which nourishes the facial skin and
makes it glow. Laughing people look more cheerful and attractive. By
squeezing the tear glands through laughter, it moistens the eyes adding a
little sparkle to them. Laughter exercises the abdominal muscles and helps
to improve muscle tone of those with pot bellies.
Interpersonal Relationships:
Laughter brings people together and improves interpersonal relationships.
All the members of a Laughter Club meet each other with open minds and they
care for each other. You will get a chance to interact with a number of
people with a positive frame of mind. Today, members of different Laughter
Clubs are like family members. They know each other well; they share their
griefs and sorrows. They share their joyful moments too, by meeting each
other, going out for picnics etc. They organize health workshops, yoga camps
and naturopathy seminars from time to time. People from various walks of
life come together and greet each other with smiling faces.
Self Confidence Through Laughter:
When you are laughing in a group at a public place with your arms up towards
the sky, it removes your inhibitions and over a period of time you become a
more sociable, unreserved and outgoing person. Admittedly, some people are
initially a bit reluctant to join the laughter group, in spite of a strong
inclination towards doing so, for fear of appearing absurd to onlookers.
However, this is a passing phase and the very decision to join a Laughter
Club opens your mind. Gradually, it also adds to your self confidence. It
will also help to develop your personality and leadership qualities.
In a Laughter Club, many members are encouraged to conduct sessions. People
who were not able to speak a word in public, often become very good public
speakers. The Laughter Club of Johnson Garden (Mulund) has produced more
than thirty anchor persons. With the passage of time, you will observe a
transformation in your personality. You develop a more positive attitude
towards life. Minor setbacks or irritants in everyday life no longer cause a
serious disturbance, and you learn to deal with them much more effectively.
Social Benefits of Laughter:
Ongoing research shows that people suffering from depression are more prone
to many illnesses like high blood pressure, heart attacks and cancer.
Depression also affects the immune system adversely. Common causes of
depression are social isolation and a diminishing family value system. These
are much more in western countries but are now slowly affecting the east
also. Laughter Clubs have helped many people to get rid of their
antidepressant pills in a short period of time. The magic which has worked
wonders is the friendship and brotherhood gained from Laughter Clubs.
Laughter Clubs are fast developing into close-knit communities. With the
spread of Laughter Clubs in every locality, each club has taken the shape of
a small community, wherein its members experience a sense of affiliation and
belonging to the group. Clubs are turning into large "Laughing Families".
