Laughter Yoga Benefits
The benefits of laughter are on many levels, physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Physically, it is an aerobic exercise, 100 laughs equal 10 minutes of rowing and it gives our internal organs a massage. Deep breathing oxygenates the blood. Laughter strengthens the immune system, releases feel good endorphins, lowers blood pressure and it also brings people together. Laughter opens your heart and feel connected firstly with yourself, then each other going out to all of life and humanity. Make laughter a daily exercise and reap the rewards.
Laughter Yoga is an interactive opportunity to loosen up, physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. It is of great benefit to do in as group process, helping people connect, communicate and have fun together. At the same time it releases stress and heightens emotions, as well bringing mental clarity.
Laughter Yoga is a revolutionary idea – simple and profound. An exercise routine, it is sweeping the world and is a complete wellbeing workout. Dr Madhan Kataria, Founder of the Laughter Yoga movement.
Laughing helps one to get in touch with their inner child and remove inhibitions. Fake laughter has the same benefit on the body as authentic laughter, as the subconscious mind cannot tell the difference. Fake laughter quickly turns into real, spontaneous belly laughter and it increases one’s creativity and light heartedness.
At the same time laughter reduces stress by releasing endorphins into the bloodstream. Laughter strengthens the immune system and connects one with their own heart energy and with other people. It reduces depression, lowers blood pressure and provides the internal organs with a massage, which is called ‘internal jogging’.
Laughter Yoga Benefits - Scientifically Proven Research
There is considerable proven research on the benefits of laughing. Children laugh 300-400 times a day, whereas adults laugh only 15 times a day. In the 1950s we laughed 18 minutes a day, compared with today, it is only 6 minutes.
We can easily learn how to change this trend and get back to laughing more, having more fun. What’s more, you don't need a sense of humour, everyone can do it. It starts with exercises to ‘fake it till you make it’. In reality, the faking only lasts a moment, as laughing is most contagious.
Science tells us that the brain needs 25% more oxygen than other body organs and laughing increases the net supply of oxygen, which helps in optimal performance and boosts energy levels.
Dr Williams Fry of Stanford University proved that 10 minutes of hearty laughter is equal to 30 minutes on the rowing machine. This is not in terms of muscular movements, but a cardio pulmonary endurance. The purpose of all aerobic exercises is to stimulate the heart rate, increase blood circulation, supply oxygen and remove waste products. If you do laughter exercises for 10 minutes you don’t have to run for 30 minutes, you will get the same benefits. This makes it the perfect exercise for busy people.
Laughter Yoga Helps Relax Workplace Stress
Laughter Yoga is a unique system that helps to reduce physical, mental and emotional stress at the same time, as it works simultaneously both on the body and the mind. While there are many tools available for stress management, Laughter Yoga is the simplest and most readily available one.
At times one’s performance depends upon mood and Laughter Yoga has the power to change the mood state within minutes by releasing neuro-peptides from the brain cells called endorphins.
Isabel Behncke: Play is our adaptive wildcard. In order to adapt successfully to a changing world we need to play. In times when it may seem least appropriate to play, might be the times when it is most urgent. Play is not frivolous, it is essential.
Laughter Yoga Health Benefits
The basic objective of every human being is to enjoy life, live in harmony with family and work colleagues, belong in a group or tribe and have lots of friends to connect with. But one cannot enjoy life if one is sick. Laughter Yoga is a single exercise routine which brings physical, mental and social wellbeing in the shortest period of time. You can feel the benefits from the very first session.
Benefits of Laughing Out Loud
- Improved creativity, as natural inspirations will flow
- Increased light heartedness, smiling and laughing
- Reduces stress and releases endorphins into bloodstream
- Reduces depression. Laughter is cathartic, releasing negative emotions
- Strengthens the immune system
- Lowers blood pressure
- Improved breathing and blood circulation from aerobic exercise
- Heart connection with other people happening naturally
- Endorphins released into bloodstream
- Muscles – stimulates and releases muscle tension
- Laughter promotes and enriches brain function
- A good massage for the internal organs – it’s called internal jogging
- Greater sense of well being