Is a 'grumpy person' missing the link to happiness and a healthy lifestyle? Why does a hearty bellyful of laugh feel so good? Today, scientists and psychologists have proven that laughter shows a general positive state of mind, sending ripples of oxygen to the cells of the body, producing a healing effect.
The physiological benefits of laughter
When laughing, we stretch muscles throughout the face and body, producing faster breathing, allowing the pulse rate and blood pressure to go up, and then creating the after-effect of complete relaxation.
Laughter is used clinically to reduce blood pressure, burn up calories and heal the heart muscles. The immune system benefits from mirthful laughter by the action of the salivary immoglobilin A (IgA). Laughter is thought to have an effect on the activity of natural killer (NK) cells. These NK cells are phagocytes that engulf viral or cancerous cells.
Laughter for bedridden patients provides a light workout for the muscles involved, releases tension, is a therapy for chronic respiratory and heart conditions, and helps with the disappearance of deep depression and suicidal tendencies. Laughter assists the endocrine system as it reduces serum levels.
Medical studies on laughter
These studies indicate that laughter boosts levels of endorphin that act as natural painkillers, and suppresses levels of the stress hormone. At the University of Maryland Medical Centre, a team led by Dr. Michael Miller has recently shown that laughter is linked to healthy functioning of the blood vessels, and may help to protect the heart.
About 300 people were included in the study; half of them suffered from heart attacks or had done coronary surgery, and the other half had no diseases. They were provided with questionnaires with multiple-choice answers to find out how much each one laughed in certain situations and to measure anger and hostility. People with heart diseases were identified to laugh very little and displayed more anger and hostility.
Laughter is a natural response
During the first eight weeks of a newborn baby's life, the first facial feature is a smile, then the gurgles, with such happiness leading up to laughter at the age of 12 to 18 months. This is why it is important to be playful with your child. Children that are not playful grow up to have a lot of resentment and anger. The initial effects of laughter are stimulatory, and the cessation of laughter brings on immediate relaxation to ease tension.
Laughter meditation practised by Eastern groups consists of three stages - stretching, laughing/crying and silence.
Laughter clubs are popping up in many countries today and one of their major philosophies is not to laugh at other people. There are trainers who travel to India in this field to learn the art of laughing. I think that there should be a laughter club in Jamaica and if this is really so, then this column would welcome hearing about it.
Recommendations
The Christmas season is a time for giving with joy and mirth. If there are no families around, then take in a TV sitcom or comedy, a show or a play. Jamaican plays and musical productions are so full of humour. Do not let social graces prevent you from getting a belly full of laughs; allow the memories of these jokes to evoke continued laughs, even when you are alone. Join in the singing of choirs on radio and television and belt out those Christmas carols. This is indeed an antidote to apprehension and panic.
Dr. Diane Robertson is a pharmacist and recipient of an honorary doctorate in complementary medicine for her work in herbs. Email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.
