More Health Benefits

  • Laughter decreases levels of stress hormones. If adrenaline and cortisol levels remain high, toxins build up and can cause disease.

    Regular laughter sessions maintain low sterss levels and participants therefore become less reactive and more relaxed and are able to manage and cope with ongoing stressful situations.
  • Laughter stimulates the release of endorphins, resulting in a decrease in heart rate, blood pressure, muscle tension and an increase in general wellbeing. Endorphins are also the body's natural pain killers. Norman Cousins, an American journalist who was suffering from an incurable disease of the spine, benefited from laughter therapy in a situation where all painkillers were ineffective.

    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.
  • Studies reveal that laughter increases immune activity, as a result, participants are less likely to catch colds and other respiratory infections. The immune system is important in maintaining good health by keeping infections, allergies and cancers at bay.

    Recent research into the effects of laughter by Dr Lee S. Berk, Professor at Loma Linda University, California, USA, demonstrates that laughter will increase the count of natural killer cells (NK cells - a type of white cell) and antibody levels.

    Regular laughter sessions help to increase antibodies (Immunoglobulin A) in the mucous of the nose and respiratory passages and can help alleviate bronchitis and asthma.
  • Laughter helps to control blood pressure by reducing the release of stress-related hormones. Experiments have demonstrated that a 10 minute laughter session leads to a reduction of 10-20mm in blood pressure.
  • Laughter is internal jogging, whilst you laugh you massage internal organs by enhancing the blood supply and increasing their efficiency. This is especially good for proper blowel movement.

    Laughter exercises the abdominal muscles and helps to improve muscle tone.
  • The robust breathing that laughter creates, floods the body with oxygen, resulting in increased circulation to the brain. Fatigue is thereby decreased and mental endurance is enhanced.
  • The beneficial results gained from laughter have a cumulative effect and participants will discover their sense of humour, ability to laugh develops and positive communication is promoted.
  • Laughter alleviates depression, anxiety and psychosomatic disorders.
  • Laughter teaches and develops diaphragmatic breathing which is a natural antidote to stress.
  • Laughter is an aerobic exercise. It stimulates heart and blood circulation and is equivalent to any other standard aerobic exercise. Dr William Fry, Stanford University, USA claims that one minute of laughter is equal to 10 minutes on a rowing machine.

    The singular benefit almost everybody derives is a sense of wellbeing because more oxygen is taken in during laughter.

    It is an exercise regime for all, including people confined to a bed or a wheelchair.
  • Laughter is anti-aging ... it tones facial muscles and expressions and it causes an increase in blood supply to the face, and nourishes the skin and makes it glow - which is why some people look flushed. People look younger and more fun when they laugh!
Picture
Picture
Picture