The health benefits of Laughter Yoga include:
Anti Stress: Laughter is one of the finest, most economical and easy to practice anti-stress measures. Laughter is one of the best muscle relaxants. Laughter expands blood vessels and sends more blood to the extremities and other muscles all over the body. A good bout of laughter also reduces the levels of stress hormones epinephrine and cortisol.
A natural relaxant: 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. Laughter is the easiest form of meditation and one that brings instant relaxation.
Strengthens the Immune System: The immune system plays a most important role in maintaining good health and keeping away infections, allergies and cancers. 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 and also raises the antibody levels. Research has shown that, after laughter therapy, there is an increase in antibodies in the mucous of the nose and respiratory passages, which is believed to have a protective capacity against some viruses, bacteria and other microorganisms. There are many members of Laughter Clubs who have noticed that the frequency of common colds, sore throats and chest infections has decreased since undertaking Laughter Yoga.
Best Aerobic Exercise: The one benefit almost everybody derives from Laughter Yoga 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 such an instant result! The reason for this sense of well being is that one inhales more oxygen while laughing. Laughter can be compared to any aerobic exercise. According to Dr. William Fry from Stanford University, one minute of laughter is equal to 10 minutes on the rowing machine. In other words, laughter stimulates heart and blood circulation and is equivalent to any other standard aerobic exercise.
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.
High Blood Pressure and Heart disease: 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. Those who are suffering from heart disease and have stabilised 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 painkillers. Norman Cousins, an American journalist who was suffering from an incurable disease of the spine, benefited from 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.
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. 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.
Internal Jogging: 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 is 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.
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.
Social Benefits of Laughter: 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. Laughter Clubs are turning into large "Laughing Families".
