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Laughter as Medicine
Laughter has long been said to be the best medicine. In the 1970's, Norman Cousins popularized the notion with his seminal book, Anatomy of an Illness in which he extolled the virtues of laughter vis-a-vis improved health and well-being.
Through scientific research, it has now been proven beyond a doubt that laughter can actually help to heal the body. Laughter has many beneficial effects, including but not limited to improved lung capacity and oxygenation, lowered blood pressure, increased immune function, decreased levels of stress hormones, increased levels of beneficial hormones such a dopamine, an improved sense of well-being, improved cardiovascular tone, and improved muscle tone. Even simply smiling can improve one's health, but laughter has been shown to be significantly more effective due to its robustly physical nature.
Further research has actually demonstrated quite clearly that your body cannot actually tell the difference between "authentic" laughter and "fake" laughter, thus you can realize the same benefits even if you have nothing to actually laugh about!
Dr. Madan Kataria, a medical doctor in Mumbai (Bombay), India, created and founded Laughter Yoga in 1995 based on the premise that anyone can laugh at any time for no reason at all. Together with his wife (a yoga teacher), Dr. Kataria developed a system of yogic breathing, clapping, movement and laughter exercises that elicit laughter in a group setting. Beginning in a Bombay park in 1995 with only four willing yet skeptical participants, there are now more than 6000 Laughter Yoga clubs in over 60 countries worldwide.
Laughter Yoga has been covered by media outlets around the world, including a visit to India by John Cleese (of Monty Python fame) to investigate Dr. Kataria's work.
Studies have shown that the effects of stress take a devastating toll on the human body. Deecreased immune function, increased levels of stress hormones like cortisol, and decreased oxygenation can all reap a sorrowful harvest on the physiology of homo sapiens. We live in a complicated world, and laughter is an inexpensive and portable stress reduction tool that so many of us---myself included---often forget to utilize.
Children laugh an average of 400 times per day, whereas adults tend to laugh approximately 15 times per day. As we age, we lose our sense of the absurd, and we lose the ability to see humor in the stressors of everyday life. Cultivating laughter for no reason is a relatively easy practice that, with time, can bring many rewards and benefits.
If you would like to find a laughter yoga club near you, please visit Laughter Yoga's international website and search for clubs in your area. If you would like some homework, try laughing by yourself for 30-60 seconds every day, whether in front of the bathroom mirror, in the shower, or perhaps in the car while stopped at a red light or stuck in traffic. You can also simply visit YouTube and type "Laughter Yoga" in the search bar and watch several videos about Laughter Yoga, or type in "laughing baby" and simply delight in the natural laughter of children, unencumbered by the cares of the world.
Laughter truly is the best medicine, and as Dr. Kataria says, it is also a vehicle for world peace. If everyone was laughing rather than fighting, who would have time for war?
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Keith Carlson is a nurse, blogger, writer, Certified Laughter Yoga Leader, and consultant. Please feel free to visit his blog, Digital Doorway, his personal website, or the homepage of his laughter business, Laughter Incorporated, which was founded along with his lovely wife, Mary Rives.
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Thanks so much for sharing this! I had not heard of laughter Yoga before, but it makes perfect sense. And I love to laugh!
Very well researched article! I only wish my hometown had something like the yoga laugher clubs....
I can say that when I am having what seems like the most stressful day of my life that my children s laughter can bring happiness and joy to my life and lift my spirits beyond belief.
Interesting! Anything that can relive stress I want to hear about!
I have always been the type of person to believe that laughter makes life worth living, and I strongly agree with you when you say it's the best medicine. It's really neat, that it's been proven to be so. It's amazing what laughter can do for people. Laughing is beautiful, especially when it's something done from the soul. I live in Hawaii, and I'm gonna check into the laughter yoga they may have out here. Wish me luck! All-around well done article, I give you two big thumbs up!
yes! I agree strongly with laughter as a type of medicine! I think it helps me whenever I feel stressed or anytime I don't feel well.
Wow, I've never heard of Laughter Yoga before, but i have depression and it seems like nothing helps. I looked up clubs in my area and there aren't any in my local area but there are a few in the next biggest city. Thanks for the information.
Laughter truly is a type of medicine. It can really help ease tension and just all around make you feel better. I try to be as positive of a person as I can be, but often times that is difficult. Nothing helps like laughing with your best friends, though. Thanks for the article!
I try and laugh when I'm feeling bad, but I never thought it was an actual medicine. That's really cool! Great article!
I've always heard that phrase but never knew physical benefits like you listed on your blog. It's really good to know. It's really great that when I laugh, I'm being healthy.
I saw this on youtube before! I love it what a great idea.
Thanks for the really informative article! I never knew that the body didn't differentiate between fake and real laughter. More interesting food for thought.
Excellent article! I too am a Certified Laughter Yoga Leader and I wanted to let you know about a few more free sources where one can join in for a stress reducing laughter. I have often called the USA Laughter Yoga Bridgeline to practice laughter yoga. It is a free call (unless your service provider charges long distance charges) and they do 20 minute laughter yoga sessions ten times every day. To get details go to www.laughteryogausa.com . Also, I host a weekly internet radio laughter yoga session at www.blogtalkradio.com/Laughing-Lady . Let's spread the happy-demic and laugh for the HEALTH of it! I am grateful that your blog has introduced the idea of laughing for no reason at all to many more people. By the way, I found you via twitter.com. Dr. Kataria's vision is to spread health, joy and world peace - one laugh at a time. You are certainly a part of that vision! Giggles and Guffaws, Laughing Lady
Brilliant article.. I try to laugh as often as possible and with the world as insane and messed up as it is, it get very difficult but i guess surrounding myself with people that bring out the lighter side in life help plus there are so many talented comedians out there... it's shouldn't be that hard...
Someone once told me laughter makes you younger... if that is so, i'm 24 going on 5
Thanks for this review. I've been kind of skeptical of laughter yoga because it seemed like a gimmick. But it does combine two things that are very healthy for you, so maybe I will give it a try.
I could not agree more with the concept and the scientific findings! I know that if I or my partner are feeling down, watching stand up comedy will immediately make us feel better both emotionally and physically! There is a reason for everything we do. Our bodies do everything with a purpose. Why do you think that laughter is found in every single human culture, regardless of language, and we are able to understand a smile and a laugh from anyone on the planet?
Really good article. Lots of very compelling references. I agree that laughter is very healthy. I've always had a strong sense of humor, and what I like best about laughter is that it really does relieve stress.
Great article, I would love to find a laughter yoga group in my area. That sounds like such fun. I am a firm believer in the idea that laughter heals. I get stress headaches occasionally and if I put on a funny movie, by the end of it, my headache will be gone or significantly eased.
My friends absolutely love being around me, because laughter is everything to me. They tell me that I'm someone that laughs from the soul. I believe that laughter makes everything better. Plus, who couldn't use a good smile? I love the idea and the tips in this blog. Everything it states is true, and I believe this topic should be explored more. Job well done.
What an informative article! I had no idea kids laughed so much more than adults! I must say laughter yoga sounds fun!
Laughter yoga sounds like a great idea. I work with kids, and I have noticed through my own observations the difference in perceptions. As one of those people who is always cracking jokes and has been told many many times to try stand up comedy, I can say that laughter is by far the most amazing human expression. Seeing the way that moods and attitudes change just through that simple change in expression and breathing really is incredible. If you're looking for laughter to relieve strees, or just want to smile more, consider joining one of those joke-a-day mailing lists or watching more comedy central! The world is completely off it's nut, and laughter is the only way to survive it.
Luckily for me, I was born with a good sense of humor. Just looking at myself in the mirror makes me laugh. But seriously, I've had to deal with some pretty devastating things in my life, and finding a humorous twist to it all is the only reason I haven't lost all of my sanity.
I have never heard of laughter yoga but now that I have read this I will truly try it. I can't wait and it sounds like it will be very effective. Thank you for the great review.
23 Comments