Laughter Is the Best Medicine

Sporty & Rich Wellness - Laughter Is the Best Medicine

 

By: @inceipek1

 

Over the past four decades, countless scientific studies have proven that laughter has a powerful and profound effect on the human body and mind. Laughter increases the supply of oxygen to body tissues, boosts immunity, relieves pain, lowers stress, and even helps protect against heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, and migraines. Unfortunately, laughter has been gradually disappearing from our fast-paced modern lives, and people find it difficult to laugh amidst the endless daily stressors they face. Although various methods are available to release stress, most of them can be time-consuming and expensive. However, laughter yoga is a simple, cost-effective, and fast technique for reducing stress.

 

Laughter yoga combines laughter with yogic breathing called pranayama. It helps people laugh without relying on humor, jokes, or comedy. At the beginning of the practice, laughter is simulated as a physical exercise while maintaining eye contact with others in your group and endorsing childlike playfulness. Science has shown us that the body cannot differentiate between simulated and real laughter (fake it ‘till you make it!), so in most cases, this exercise leads to genuine laughter.

 

You may wonder why you should force yourself to laugh when other means, such as watching a comedy movie or a stand-up, can make you laugh. There are three reasons why one should practice laughter yoga:

 

To enjoy the health benefits of laughter, one needs to laugh for at least 10 to 15 minutes each day. In other words, it should be sustained laughter. This is because natural laughter barely lasts for more than three to four seconds at a time, which is insufficient to bring about physiological and psychological changes.


For laughter to demonstrate health benefits, it must be hearty and deep, coming from the diaphragm. In other words, it should be a belly laugh. Laughter Yoga clubs provide a safe environment where one can laugh loudly without any shame or worries.


Natural laughter may be hard to practice since laughter depends on many factors. Laughter yoga allows participants to laugh unconditionally - you do not leave laughter to chance but do it out of a commitment to enjoy its health benefits.

 

Laughter yoga has many benefits, such as toning your digestive system, improving your circulatory system, and strengthening your respiratory system through yogic breathing. Laughter Yoga also helps change your mood within minutes by releasing endorphins from your brain cells. Since this practice is like an aerobic exercise, it increases your heart rate and blood circulation, thereby relaxing your muscles. It’s important to remember to laugh when times are challenging. Remember, laughter is the best medicine!

 

References:

https://laughteryoga.org/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4439472/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2814549/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16319105/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12716853/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2686627/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4316242/

 Laughter Yoga by Madan Kataria (book)

Précédent
Suivant
Reducing Inflammation Through Exercise

Reducing Inflammation Through Exercise

Translation missing: ko.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

By @coreflexpilates founder @chrisbardawil Joint pain after exercise, headaches or brain fog after a bad night's sleep, and digestive distress after eating are all symptoms of systemic inflammation. While there are many articles and discussions about various foods and diets to reduce inflammation, little attention is paid to reducing inflammation through exercise. Inflammation in itself isn't a bad thing....

Lire plus
Stomach Acid: the Key to Digestion and Glowing Skin

Stomach Acid: the Key to Digestion and Glowing Skin

Translation missing: ko.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

By: @drmelissa.co The purpose of the human digestive system is to break down foods, absorb nutrients, and excrete waste; without this, humans would not be able to function. Stomach acid plays a key role in this process, allowing the body not only to survive but to thrive. After chewing, the food we eat travels to the stomach. The stomach churns and combines broken...

Lire plus
A Naturopathic Approach to Skin Health

A Naturopathic Approach to Skin Health

Translation missing: ko.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

Q&A with Dr. Laura Belus 1) Tell us a bit about yourself    I am a practising naturopathic doctor in Mississauga Canada. My focus is on hormonal health, specifically when it comes to acne, PMS and fertility. My own journey...

Lire plus
Creating a Self-Care Routine for Busy Professionals

Creating a Self-Care Routine for Busy Professionals

Translation missing: ko.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

By: @ericabassotherapy If you’re a high-achieving woman, you likely relate to juggling multiple responsibilities, from demanding careers to personal commitments. When we are overwhelmed, it’s easy to believe the limiting stories we tell ourselves about not having enough time. We must willingly embrace a different narrative: that self-care is not a luxury but a necessity. Incorporating self-care into your daily routine is...

Lire plus
Restrictive Diets: The Hidden Costs on your Gut, Mind, and Immune System

Restrictive Diets: The Hidden Costs on your Gut, Mind, and Immune System

Translation missing: ko.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

By: @drmelissa.co ‘Restrictive diet’ is an umbrella term that encompasses changes to how, when and what one eats. To some, avoiding junk food is considered restrictive; to others, a restrictive diet may be as extreme as consuming food from only one food group or strictly avoiding others. Regardless, the ultimate question is, when do restrictive diets help and when do they harm?

Lire plus
Vitamin Sea: 5 Mind, Body, and Beauty Benefits of Ocean Water

Vitamin Sea: 5 Mind, Body, and Beauty Benefits of Ocean Water

Translation missing: ko.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

By: @emma.walsh Author Isak Dinesen famously said, "The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears, or the sea." We all know that staying active and releasing emotions is vital for our health—and as someone who grew up on the coast going to the beach year round, I also believe...

Lire plus
Intermittent Fasting: Is It Right for You?

Intermittent Fasting: Is It Right for You?

Translation missing: ko.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

By @coreflexpilates founder Chris Bardawil Over the past few years intermittent fasting has become the golden child of the wellness community all due to the miraculous effects it can have on your health.   Intermittent fasting is avoiding eating or drinking...

Lire plus
Skinimalism: A New Trend in Dermatology?

Skinimalism: A New Trend in Dermatology?

Translation missing: ko.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

A Note from a Dermatologist: @dermahealthnutrition The world of aesthetic dermatology is experiencing a refreshing shift towards a trend known as "skinimalism" (Skin + Minimalism). This movement is a response to the overwhelming abundance of skincare products and complex routines that have dominated the beauty industry in recent years. At its core, skinimalism advocates a minimalist approach...

Lire plus
Burnt out? Here Are the Signs and Road to Recovery

Burnt out? Here Are the Signs and Road to Recovery

Translation missing: ko.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

By: @ericabassotherapy  Many of us are busier than ever before. We juggle demanding careers, personal responsibilities, and social obligations to name a few, and if you’re a high-achiever this list may never seem to end. Burnout is a growing concern today due...

Lire plus
How Alcohol Effects Your Gut

How Alcohol Effects Your Gut

Translation missing: ko.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

By: Megan Tomlin @gooodmoodfoood By now, almost everyone knows that alcohol is not the healthiest thing for our minds and bodies. But what do we know about the effect that alcohol has on our gut microbiome health? Before I answer this, there are a few terms I want to define for...

Lire plus
The Unseen Mental Health Challenges High Achievers Face

The Unseen Mental Health Challenges High Achievers Face

Translation missing: ko.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

 By: @ericabassotherapy It's hopeful to see how much society has progressed in embracing mental health discussions. But as a mental health provider, I still notice gaps in our understanding of accurate mental health information. We can all get better at recognizing signs of mental health struggles and feeling empowered to seek support when needed. As a licensed...

Lire plus
The Importance of Skin pH for a Clear, Healthy Complexion

The Importance of Skin pH for a Clear, Healthy Complexion

Translation missing: ko.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

By: @drmelissa.co The concept of the skin barrier has become a part of many skincare aficionado’s vocabulary, but what does it really mean?  It is important to remember...

Lire plus