Have you ever tried laugh therapy to relieve stress. Do you have a sense of humor? Can you laugh at yourself when you make mistakes? Can you be lighthearted when things don't turn out the way you hoped? Do you try to find the good, the funny, the whimsical in the world as you go about your daily business?
Laugh therapy is a whole field, in terms of helping people achieve and maintain wellness. There are many people in the world, filled with rage and sadness and they are making themselves sick. Don't be one of them. Make sure you laugh every single day.
5 Reasons To Laugh Each And Every Day!
Laugh therapy is better than drugs. No kidding!
Research results indicate that, after exposure to humor, there is a general increase in activity within the immune system, including:
1) An increase in the number and activity level of natural killer cells that attack viral infected cells and some types of cancer and tumor cells.
2) An increase in activated T cells (T lymphocytes). There are many T cells that await activation. Laughter appears to tell the immune system to "turn it up a notch."
3) An increase in the antibody IgA (immunoglobulin A), which fights upper respiratory tract insults and infections.
4) An increase in gamma interferon, which tells various components of the immune system to "turn on."
5) An increase in IgB, the immunoglobulin produced in the greatest quantity in body, as well as an increase in Complement 3, which helps antibodies to pierce dysfunctional or infected cells. The increase in both substances was not only present while subjects watched a humor video; there also was a lingering effect that continued to show increased levels the next day.
Source: Holistic-Online.com
And A Reduced Stress Response To Boot!
The results of the study also supported research indicating a general decrease in stress hormones that constrict blood vessels and suppress immune activity. These were shown to decrease in the study group exposed to humor.
For example, levels of epinephrine were lower in the group both in anticipation of humor and after exposure to humor. Epinephrine levels remained down throughout the experiment.
In addition, dopamine levels (as measured by dopac) were also decreased. Dopamine is involved in the "fight or flight response" and is associated with elevated blood pressure.
Laughing is aerobic, providing a workout for the diaphragm and increasing the body's ability to use oxygen.
Laughter brings in positive emotions that can enhance – not replace -- conventional treatments. Hence it is another tool available to help fight the disease.
Experts believe that, when used as an adjunct to conventional care, laughter can reduce pain and aid the healing process. For one thing, laughter offers a powerful distraction from pain.
In a study published in the Journal of Holistic Nursing, patients were told one-liners after surgery and before painful medication was administered. Those exposed to humor perceived less pain when compared to patients who didn't get a dose of humor as part of their therapy.
Perhaps, the biggest benefit of laugh therapy is that it is free and has no known negative side effects.
