Laughter is a natural response to pain or stress. Medically speaking, laughter releases endorphins which alleviate pain and make us feel better. It also stimulates the production of other hormones such as cortisol and epinephrine which strengthen the immune system. Stress hormones, which constrict blood vessels and suppress immune activity, decrease as a result of laughter lowering blood pressure and relieving depression. Laughing also strengthens our cardiovascular systems - a good 1 minute bout of laughter is equal to about 10 minutes on a rowing machine!
These are some of the findings of Dr. Lee Berk’s research at the Loma Linda University School of Medicine which began in the 70’s. “Pre-school children laugh about 300 times per day…adults laugh 7-15 times per day.” says Berk.
A University of Maryland study found that people with heart disease were 40% less likely to laugh in a variety of situations compared to people the same age without heart disease. Preliminary findings from a UCLA study show that the benefits of a laughter session are residual. Even 2 days after watching a humorous video of Charlie Chaplin lower levels of tension, depression, anger, fatigue and confusion were reported.
Across the ocean in India, Dr. Madan Kataria began the idea of laughing clubs in the early 1990’s. His early attempts used humor to elicit the laughter response but quickly discovered the difference between humor and laughter. Humor is an intellectual response and very individual. Laughter on the other hand is a physical act that is universal and highly contagious. He began focusing on ‘laughter for no reason’ and a world wide phenomena began. Now there are over 500 clubs in the India and thousands more across the world. His book Laugh for no Reason has become the bible of laughter therapy group leaders.
Steve Wilson, a psychotherapist from Ohio studied with Dr. Kataria and has devoted his career to promoting laughter clubs in the US. His group, World Laughter Tour leads weekend laughter leader training workshops across the country complete with ice cream sundae breaks. His website offers books, videos, and even laughing bags to lighten up your day.
Here are a few links to get you started:
http://www.laughtertherapy.com/
http://www.worldlaughtertour.com/
http://www.laughteryoga.org/
|
|
 |
|
