The Healing Power of Laughter

During a stressful day at work at the hospital- my coworker broke out her ipad and played us this above video. We all got a great laugh!! It got me thinking about the healing power of laughter. There have been multiple studies over the years that have shown how powerful laughter can be in our lives. This is probably not new news to you. We have all had a good belly laugh before and felt the momentary lightness it brought to our lives. Some of us are more talented then others at finding the humor in life. I can find life hilarious. My husband would tell you I have a warped sense of humor --I don't find many jokes or movies funny -but I find real life mishaps pretty funny. My poor husband has been the object of my warped sense of humor since the beginning of our relationship. When he hits his head on something -or falls down- I have had to try really hard to keep my laughter to myself. I learned early in the marriage that he did not find those things too funny. I find my own human frailties pretty funny sometimes. We all have our own views on what is funny , but the key is to find ways to laugh at life.

"It is no secret that laughing is an amazing healer. Back in 1979, The New England Journal of Medicine published a report based on Norman Cousins, a noted journalist and editor of the Saturday Review. In the 1960s Cousins had been diagnosed with a debilitating spinal disease and given a 1/500 chance of survival. Based on his belief in the importance of environment on healing, Cousins checked himself out of the hospital and into a hotel, where he took large doses of vitamin C and watched continual episodes of Candid Camera and the Marx Brothers. He found, over time, that laughter stimulated chemicals in his body that allowed him several hours of pain-free sleep. He continued the treatment until, eventually, his disease went into remission, and he was able to return to work. The study became the basis for a best-selling book, Anatomy of an Illness, as well as a television movie of the same name.
 

Since Cousin’s ground-breaking study, numerous scientists and doctors have conducted similar tests with similar results. Some are enough to make you smile. The University of Maryland, for example, conducted a study where people were shown laughter-provoking movies to gauge their effect on cardiac health. The results, presented at the American College of Cardiology, showed that laughter appeared to cause the inner lining of blood vessels to dilate, thus increasing blood flow and avoiding dangerous vessel constriction. Consistent evidence has been shown that laughter, over time, offers significant medical benefits, including boosting the immune system, lowering blood pressure, improving heart and respiratory functions, even regulating blood sugar."- Laugh Your Way to Grace, Rev. Susan Sparks (stand-up comedian and pastor)

Here are some thoughts on Laughter from Dr. Frank Lipman

http://www.drfranklipman.com/comic-relief-the-healing-power-of-laughter/

• Laughter helps boost your immune system by increasing T cell activity, those "killer cells" that help our bodies fight viruses and tumors.
• Laughter helps lower blood pressure and cortisol levels, decreases pain and can also help stabilize blood sugar.
• Laughter stimulates chemical changes in the brain that help buffer our bodies against the cumulative effects of stress.
• Laughter burns a few extra calories: According to a university study, just 10 -15 minutes worth of chuckles throughout the day can burn up to 40 calories
• Laughter stimulates the release of endorphins, the mood-elevating brain chemicals behind the "runner's high."
• Laughter helps reduce inflammation throughout the body -- good news for your heart, brain and circulatory health.
• Laughter "massages" internal organs -- which is why it's sometimes referred to as "internal jogging" -- with effects similar to exercise.
• Laughter provides a light workout for the heart, lungs, diaphragm and even the abdominal muscles.
• Laughter releases tension in the muscles of the face, neck, shoulders and abdomen -- all common areas where we tent to hold lots of tension.
• Laughter is physically and mentally therapeutic -- an involuntary response that positively alters mood instantly. What could be better?
  
  So Laugh away