Laughter Prescription
There is a growing body of evidence in support of laughter as an effective adjunct to accepted therapies. Laughter has no side effects, and we can trick our bodies into thinking we are happy even when we aren’t.
Biology of laughter and humor
There are several good reasons to conclude that laughter is effective as an intervention:
Virtually all studies of laughter and health indicate positive results. Similarly, there are almost no negative side effects or undesirable ramifications associated with laughter as an intervention
The many voices of cancer survivors and of those who have employed laughter in their recoveries supply further promising support.
One cancer survivor, Scott Burton, said, “The other reactions; anger, depression, suppression, denial, took a little piece of me with them. Each made me feel just a little less human. Yet laughter made me more open to ideas, more inviting to others, and even a little stronger inside. It proved to me that, even as my body was devastated and my spirit challenged, I was still a vital human.”
Perhaps medical prescription of laughter and humour can illuminate what cancer patients already know; studies have shown that 50% of cancer patients used humour 20 and 21% of a group of breast cancer patients used humour or laughter therapy
Clinical evidence
Benefits, have been reported in geriatrics, oncology, critical care, psychiatry, rehabilitation, rheumatology, home care, palliative care, hospice care, terminal care, and general patient care. These and other reports constitute sufficient substantiation to support what is experientially evident—laughter and humour are therapeutic allies in healing.
It is unclear how laughter affects stress hormones epinephrine, norepinephrine, and cortisol. It is theorized that if laughter truly decreases stress hormones, this may explain the proposed connection between laughter and better immune function, and subsequently improved health outcomes.
Laughter yoga
Laughter Yoga is a unique technique, that combines laughter exercises with yogic breathing (pranayama).
It increases the amount of oxygen in your body, making you feel more energized, and actually changes the physiology of your body so you start to feel happier
Laughter Yoga is often done in groups (there are now 6,000 all over the world), although it can be practiced alone. Experts tell us to “Fake it, fake it, till you make it” because guess what our bodies don’t know the difference between fake and real laughter! As long as you laugh, you experience the same health benefits.
Clinical bottom line
Make laughter a part of your daily routine. Watch a Netflix comedy if you can’t seem to find anything else to laugh about. Putting yourself in a good mood will help you feel grateful for what you have and will bring further good things in your life
