“Laugh together without reason for a healthy life” is a concept propagated by followers of
laughter therapy. The people who propound the therapy insist that laughing has various physical and psychological effects that are good for health. As a result, innumerable laughter clubs that have cropped up almost everywhere. According to researchers, positive stress is given off by the body. This causes the immune system to act more properly and efficiently. Due to this, there is an increase in both the number of cells and energy level. Thus, through laughter, blood pressure is lowered and the immune system anti mental health of a person becomes stronger.
A typical laughter session in this therapy would includes pure laughing without any jokes combined with stretching and various breathing exercises.
The various benefits of laughter therapy are:
It is one of the most effective forms of anti stress measures. Laughter is considered one of the best muscle relaxants. It expands blood vessels and sends more blood rising all over the body. In addition, laughter is also known to reduce the level of stress hormones Epinephrine and cortisol.
Strengthens Immune System:
The T-cells, which ﬁght infections, become more active when a person laughs. Laughter is also said to increase immunoglobulin in A and B. Immunoglobulin A works for the respiratory tract and has protective qualities against virus, bacteria and other micro organisms. Immunoglobulin provides antibodies with the strength to attack dysfunctional cells.
Good Aerobic Activity:
When you laugh, you inhale more oxygen and thus, you feel refreshed. Researchers have found that one minute of laughter is equal to 10 minutes on the rowing machine. This means that laughter stimulates the heart and blood circulation equivalent to any other standard aerobic exercise. Laughter exercise is the best suited for sedentary people and those who are confined to bed or wheel chair.
Good For Mental Health:
People suffering from mind related diseases like anxiety, depression,nervous breakdowns and sleeplessness have benefited from the laughter therapy
Good For Heart:
Laughter helps control blood pressure by reducing the release of stress related hormones and bringing relaxation. Experiments have proved that drop of 10-20mm. in blood pressure after participating in a 10 minutes laughter session. Laughter also helps in stopping the further progress of heart disease, as it improves blood circulation and oxygen supply to the heart muscles. Due to improvement of blood circulation, there are less chances of forming a clot.
Laughter increases the levels of endorphins in our bodies, which are natural painkillers. Endorphins released as a result of laughter also help in reducing the intensity of pain in people suffering from arthritis, spondylitis and muscular spasms. It is also said to
alleviate migraine and tension headaches.
Helps People Suffering From Bronchitis And AsThma:
Laughter is considered a very good exercise, as it improves lung capacity and oxygen levels in the blood. However, patients should consult a doctor before going for a laughter therapy.
Laughter helps in toning up the face muscles 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.