What does laughter do for you? Probably more than you think. Next time you see somebody having a good laugh, take a look at what is happening to their body. The change of posture, pulling exaggerated facial expressions, changes to the rate and depth of breathing. Is this what happens to you too? And how is it afterwards? Do you feel more uplifted? Do you have more energy? Do you feel happier? And if you have had a REALLY good laugh perhaps you might even feel that you have had a workout. And the chances are that you have.
According to ¹Robert Holden, a Stress Consultant "The medical profession is currently quite tickled by the concept of Laughter medicine. Fascinating new research seems to be endorsing the ancient wisdom that laughter, happiness and a joyful heart are jolly good medicines!" Doctors Berk and Tan have carried out research on the health benefits of laughter. They found that it:
o produces a reaction in the immune system which encouraged beneficial cell growth and suppressed damaging cell growth, including fighting cancer and tumour cells
o causes a reduction in stress hormones which constrict the blood vessels and inhibit immune activity
o provides aerobic exercise which gives a workout to the diaphragm increasing your body's ability to use oxygen. It is estimated that hearty laughter can burn calories equivalent to several minutes on the rowing machine or the exercise bike. Other researchers indicated that laughing out loud for 10-15 minutes a day can burn around 10-40 calories, equivalent of two kilograms or 4.4 pounds a year.
o results in muscle relaxation first for the muscles not involved in the laugh, then a tensing and relaxation for those involved in laughing
o releases endorphins, one of the body's natural pain killers
o creates a feeling of happiness and well being
Another study showed that laughing encourages both right and left side brain activity which enhances learning. Also, the reduction in tension adds to the brain's alertness and its ability to retain information.
Perhaps surprisingly, other research has shown that all of the beneficial effects are present even when you force yourself to laugh when you may be decidedly unamused or feeling miserable. So it is worth keeping humour and laughter in your toolkit however you feel.
As well as the health benefits of laughter, it is great in social situations to create a sense of belonging and fun in a gathering of people who may or may not know each other very well.
In more intimate relationships, we may use laughter as a way of creating an intimate situation or of taking the stress out of a tense encounter
Getting in the mood
Remembering that the benefits of laughter are created even if you have to force yourself to laugh, then how can you become more positive and in the mood for fun if you are feeling depressed or miserable? Well, the chances are that if you are feeling that way you will have a tendency to drop your shoulders, bow your head and compose a sad expression. You will be low on energy and you may feel tired, negative and sad. Mind and body play this game with each other whereby your body adopts postures and expressions to match your emotion. But this works in both directions. Change your body posture and your facial expressions and your feelings will change too. Here's what to do if you want to feel better and lift your energy...
Close your eyes. Think about how you want to feel. Visualize a situation that makes you positive happy and motivated. Look at the colours in your picture, the details of any people, creatures or other objects. Observe any activity going on. Hear the sounds or words and really feel the emotions that you associate with your experience. Stay with your thoughts and become aware of your body and breathing. Engage fully in the situation before you and feel the difference it makes to your body and mind.
Using this technique, think of an amusing situation and relive it. Allow yourself to smile and laugh. Do it daily and remember that this will construct a trigger to your brain creating a neurological pathway to pleasure that will become habitual.
Remember the many physical and emotional benefits of laughter, learn to laugh at yourself, spend some time with people that make you laugh and above all never lose your sense of humour
"A good laugh is sunshine in the house" (William Makepiece Thackeray)
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