Health Benefits Of Laughter Therapy

[Guest guest]

Comments?

Misty L. Trepke

http://www..com

 

Health Benefits Of Laughter Therapy

 

It is more than three-and-a-half years now since people have been

practicing laughter therapy all over India. There is a growing demand

for opening laughter clubs at many more places in India and abroad.

Everyday, more and more people are joining laughter clubs. Obviously

there must be some health benefits, otherwise people would not make

the time to participate. Health benefits can be attributed to

positive thinking. Faith healing and autosuggestion are achieved when

we fortify our subconscious minds every day with a positive input.

 

Most Important: People suffering from a variety of diseases have

benefited in some way or the other. But we don't claim to have cured

long-standing ailments with laughter therapy. Laughter is more of a

supplementary and preventive therapy. We are starting clinical

research on it very soon. It will take a couple of years before we

publish research data on laughter therapy. Based on the interviews of

hundreds of people in India and research done all over the world, we

have found that laughter has helped many people.

 

Sense of Well Being: The one benefit everybody gets is a sense of

well being. After 15 minutes of laughter in the morning, you will

feel fresh throughout the day. There is no medicine like laughter

therapy which gives you instant results. You start feeling the

freshness straight away. Many people have found that they don't get

irritated over trivial things after starting this therapy. Their

approach towards life changes positively.

 

Depression, anxiety and psychosomatic disorders: The stress and

strain of modern life are taking a heavy toll on the human mind. Mind

related diseases like anxiety, depression, nervous breakdowns and

sleeplessness are on the rise. Laughter has benefited many people who

were on heavy tranquilizers and sleeping pills. Now they are getting

better sleep and their depression has reduced. People with suicidal

tendencies have started living with more hope.

 

Meditation and Relaxation: Laughter therapy is one of the finest

anti-

stress measures. It is ideally suited for today's stress ridden

lifestyle. It can be compared to any form of meditation or

relaxation. To achieve the desired end through 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 process, 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 Therapy is the easiest form of meditation, a form which

brings you instant relaxation.

 

High Blood Pressure and Heart disease: There are a number of causes

for high blood pressure and heart disease like heredity, being

overweight, smoking and excessive intake of saturated fats. But

stress is one of the most important 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. 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 a high risk of developing heart disease,

laughter may be the best preventive medicine. Those who are suffering

from heart disease and have stabilized on medication will find that

laughter therapy improves the blood circulation and oxygen levels to

the heart muscles. Those who have had heart attacks or have undergone

bypass surgery can also participate in laughter therapy.

 

Strengthens the Immune System: Our immune system plays a most

important role in keeping good health or the development of

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. Laughter helps to

increase the count of natural killer lymphocytes (a type of white

cells) and also raises the antibody levels. Researchers have found

more antibodies in the mucous of the nose and respiratory passages

after laughter therapy. There are many members of laughter clubs who

have noticed that the frequency of common colds, sore throats and

chest infections gets reduced.

 

Natural Pain Killer: Laughter increase the levels of Endorphins in

our bodies, which are natural pain killers. It may help in reducing

the intensity of pain in those suffering from arthritis, spondylitis

and muscular spasms of the body. Many ladies have reported reduced

frequency of migraine headaches 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 therapy

does the same job, more easily and cheaply. There are many

individuals suffering from asthma and bronchitis who participate in

laughter clubs. They have reported 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, it might 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 Therapy can be 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.

 

Good for Actors and Singers: Laughter therapy can be very beneficial

for singers and actors. Increased lung capacity, exercise of the

diaphragm and abdominal muscles will help to gain a better control

over speech. It may enhance self confidence and reduce stage fright.

 

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.

 

Snoring: Snoring occurs as a result of lack of tone in the muscles of

the soft palate. Laughter therapy is very good for the muscles of the

soft palate and throat. Some individuals have reported improvements.

We have already started clinical studies on the effects of laughter

on snoring.

 

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 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 in

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 a bit

reluctant to join the laughter group initially, in spite of a strong

inclination towards doing so, for fear of appearing absurd to

onlookers. However, this 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 the 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 every day life no longer cause a serious

disturbance, and you learn to deal with them much more effectively.

 

[Editor's Note: This article was reprinted with permission from Dr

Aniruddha Malpani, MD Medical Director. Contact Dr. Malpanin at

HELP -

Health Education Library for People Om Chambers, Kemps Corner Bombay

400 036. India Tel: 91-22-23683334. Email: helplib

Website: www.healthlibrary.com.]