Creative SpiritLaughter Is The Best Medicine!
It has been said many times before that laughter is the best medicine & now numerous studies have shown this saying to be true. Laughter improves one’s sense of well-being & state of mind. It is also shown to improve our physical health in a number of ways.
Laughter helps to remove stress by causing the release of natural pain killers in the body. When we laugh out load, substances such as endorphins & adrenaline are released which result in a natural high, making you feel good about yourself. It also helps us to viewourselves & our environment differently. It allows us to unlock our minds more, which aids not only our memory, but our creative mind aswell. It lets us be more open to fresh ideas, making us more innovative & artistic. In the process, our sense of well-being improves considerably.
Laughter reduces levels of certain stress hormones. In doing this, it provides a safety valve that shuts off the flow of stress hormones & the fight-or-flight compounds that swing into action in our bodies when we experience stress, anger or hostility. These stress hormones suppress the immune system, increase the number of blood platelets (which can cause obstructions in arteries) & raise blood pressure. When we’re laughing, natural killer cells that destroy tumors & viruses increase, as do Gamma-interferon (a disease-fighting protein), T-cells, which are a major part of the immune response, & B-cells, which make disease destroying antibodies.
Laughter may also lead to hiccupping & coughing which clears the respiratory tract by dislodging mucous plugs. It can increase the concentration of salivary immunoglobulinA, which defends against infectious organisms entering through the respiratory tract.
Researchers now estimate that laughing 100 times is equal to 10 minutes on the rowing machine or 15 minutes on an exercise bike.
Blood pressure is lowered; there is an increase in vascular blood flow & in
oxygenation of the blood,which further assists healing. Laughter also gives
your diaphragm & abdominal, respiratory, facial, leg & back muscle workout. That’s why you often feel exhausted after a long bout of laughter. It is a total body workout!
Have you heard of “Laughter Heaven”? It is the first laughter club, started in 1995 in Mumbai, India. The club is free, open to the public, non-political, non-religious & lasts for about 30 minutes. They employ the laughter Yoga method which involves tension relieving physical laughter exercises, breathing exercises, & stretching to improve general health & well-being while promoting peace. Their laughter drills (forces laughter) eventually lead to spontaneous laughter with a sense of lighthearted fun & good spirit. (Actually, the body gets the benefits from laughter whether it is forced or not; now that’s interesting!) Since this first “Laughter Club” was founded, there are now over 5000 clubs in 40 different countries which have sprung up. It is contagious!
The use of humor & laughter as a healing tool has been around for many years but is truly now coming into its own. I would like to tell you about a non-profit that really deserves your support. If you are now experiencing, or have had an illness in your family, you will relate all too well to his story.
This non-profits founder is veteran comedian Craig Shoemaker. After 25 years of performing in comedy clubs, theaters, & at hundreds of charity events, Craig experienced first-hand the positive health effects that humor had on his audiences.
Craig’s best friend had been battling brain cancer for several years. As a frequent caregiver, he noticed the depressing atmosphere in the hospitals & support facilities where he took his friend. The places were filled with people watching dismal daytime television programs which seemed to offer very little solace & comfort for the already disheartened patients.
He started an organization Laughter Heals & its mission is to provide an easily accessible, multimedia supply of “laughter therapy” materials for the use of patients, residents & caregivers in hospitals, cancer recovery facilities, children’s hospitals, orphanages, nursing homes, drug & alcohol treatment centers, assisted living facilities, & mental hospitals. They believe that patients & residents of these institutions should have free & easy access to DVDs62240, CDs & books that inspire smiles & laughter, helping to activate the healing power of humor. Like Craig says,” We’re your pharmacy!”
This can’t be accomplished without our help. Since our region is a leader in the medical field, it may well end up benefiting our family, neighbors & friends!
Make that donation online … & laugh while you’re doing it!