Laughter therapy comes in many forms, but it is a proven method to reduce stress and increase oxygen to the body while creating feelings of joy on command (or as said in the laughing therapy community, on cue). Laughing therapy can even have benefits compared to meditation because of the breathing and chanting involved while doing so.
Laughter therapy became popular after its huge growth and acceptance in 1995 from Mumbai, India. It is now huge in over 5,000 health clubs worldwide. Laughter therapy can be done in the form of yoga, stretching, meditation and more.
It consists of deliberate laughter (on cue) to elicit relaxation, stress reduction, mood uplifting, strengthening of the immune system, improved quality of life and even increased energy levels. This is all done through the form of laughter therapy being a form of breathing exercise. Controlled breathing is known to reduce stress and increase activation of the parasympathetic nervous system because of an uptake in oxygen.
Other than these benefits found from laughter therapy, such as laughter therapy being an escape for busy adults and people who just need a laugh rather than waiting on laughter to happen. Laughter is therapy on its own, so learning how to laugh whenever you need it has many benefits on its own.
What is Laughter Therapy in Relation to Stretching and Yoga?
Laughter therapy in relation to stretching and yoga is a form of exercise that involves voluntary laughter and breathing exercises. Also known as laughter yoga, laughter therapy is based on the idea that laughter has many physical and mental benefits, such as reducing stress, boosting immunity, enhancing mood, and improving blood circulation.
Laughter therapy can be done in groups or individually, with or without jokes or humor. It can also complement stretching and yoga by adding an element of fun and joy to the practice, as well as relaxing the muscles and mind.
Laughter Therapy and Stretching
As I said laughter therapy can be done in many forms, but laughter stretching, and meditation are the most popular forms. Laughter therapy in its most basic form is done mostly in groups in a health or fitness club or even a workshop. This can be led by a coach, or a yoga instructor educated in laughter therapy. A laughter therapy session starts with breathing techniques, clapping, and chanting to get people to relax.
Chanting and clapping is used to remove internal judgement from the group before the actual laughing begins.
After this, things like affirmations, meditation, breathwork inspired by yoga, stretching, and improv exercises to help the people open up to laugh and relax. From there stretching can go on as the laughter therapy sessions goes and can be influenced by yoga or be done as yoga.
Laughter Therapy Benefits
Immediate benefits of laughter therapy are things like improved mood, reduction in stress, an increase in energy levels and even strengthening of the immune system. Laughter has a ton of benefits beyond these. Scientists believe that there is no difference between real laughter and deliberate laughing on cue. This means that you can get the benefits of laughing at any time by deliberately laughing using laughter therapy.
The real scientific benefits are similar and even more interesting than the immediate benefits that laughter therapy has. Laughing in general releases the group of hormones, endorphins. Endorphins specifically relieve pain and stress and are released in time when pain and stress are present.
For example, during exercise endorphins are released to help the body feel better and actually enjoy the feeling of exercise. This can also distract the body from other pains that it possibly has, such as small aches and pains or even a headache.
Along with endorphins, other hormones such as dopamine and serotonin are released as well. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that makes what we do feel rewarding and satisfying. It helps us feel good doing things that give us gratification. Things like watching tv, eating tasty food, exercise, and listening to music are activities which triggers dopamine. Serotonin has a lot of functions, but mainly it is known to boost our mood alongside dopamine.
Serotonin is made from proteins that come from food, and it has to do with cognitive functions, body temperature, sleep, sexual behavior, hunger, and mainly happiness. A lack of serotonin can result in depressive symptoms and health issues. One last physical benefit of laughter is the suppression of the stress hormone cortisol. Cortisol is a hormone which create stress and regulates it. It is a hormone that helps your body until you release too much of it. Stress in general can create imbalances of this hormone and put even more stress on your body.
The nonphysical benefits of laughter are feelings of social connectedness, of security, safety, and overall strengthening of relationships. Laughter can make you feel closer and bond with others, whether you are in a romantic relationship with them or not.
Laughter therapy is the deliberate use of laughter to give your body all of these benefits without waiting for a funny instance to laugh at. Combining this with yoga gives you all the listed benefits of laughter and aerobic exercise and stretching.
Yoga is great at increasing blood flow to muscles and joints, increasing flexibility, and reducing stress through breathwork and mindfulness. Yoga is also proven to help with things like back pain, joint pain, and pain caused by degenerative diseases such as arthritis. The combination of the two is an amazing way to relieve stress and improve your quality of life in many ways.
Final Thoughts on What is Laughter Therapy?
Laughter Therapy is scientifically backed up to be a wonderful way to relieve stress, strengthen the immune system, and be a risk-free way to deal with depressive symptoms and physical ailments.
Please be aware, though, that laughter therapy, in the form of stretching or Yoga, is not to be a replacement for traditional therapy, only as a form of complementary medicine or therapy.
Laughter is a great form of complementary medicine when paired with Yoga and meditation. Meditation and Yoga alone are great for increasing mindfulness and promoting relaxation in times of stress and when you need a quick natural pick-me-up.
