05/10/2017
Laughter yoga is a unique style of yoga that involves laughing voluntarily. This new twist to the ancient practice of yoga is probably the only exercise routine that will leave you happier and healthier. It is an excellent cardio workout and what starts as a forced laughter becomes a real one and more contagious than a common cold. It combines yogic breathing and laughter exercise to make you healthy. Laughter is actually the best medicine and here is the proof. Check out the health benefits of laughter yoga.
1. Lowers blood pressure
The playful exercise and the yogic breathing can lower the blood pressure. It also lowers the level of cortisol, the stress hormone, in your blood.
2. It is a great aerobic exercise
You will burn calories by practising laughter yoga. In fact, the calories burned during 100 laughs are equal to the amount burned during 10 minutes of rowing. Laughter yoga also massages your internal organs.
3. It increases the oxygen intake
Laughing helps you to have longer inhale and exhale. It will fill your body with oxygen, which is the lifeline for your body.
4. It improves your concentration
Your brain will function better with all the oxygen you are inhaling while laughing. Your brain will be more focused and active.
5. It improves your immune system
Having belly laughter will increase the flow of the lymphatic fluid and increase the number of lymphocytes, which the killer cells of our body that fights infection. So, once the number of lymphocytes increases, your immunity increases. According to research conducted by the National Cancer Centre in California and Linda Loma Medical Centre, Indiana State University, your immune system improves up to 40% with laughter
6. It makes you happy
Who doesn’t feel good after a hearty laugh? Although laughter yoga starts with a voluntary laugh, it soon turns into real one. This is such a contagious exercise routine. Laughing triggers the release of endorphin, the happy hormone. It is also the natural pain killer. So laugh more if you want to get rid of the pain in your body.
7. Improves your respiratory system
Your lungs get revitalised with more oxygen rushing into your lungs while you laugh.
8. Improve the health of your heart
Your heart becomes happy when you laugh. Your blood vessels expand when you laugh and it improves the blood circulation making the heart happy.
9. Improves pain tolerance
According to a study conducted to see the level of pain tolerance and how it is linked to laughter. It was proved that those who were laughing had more pain tolerance.
10. Relieves stress
Short-term benefits
A good laugh has great short-term effects. When you start to laugh, it doesn't just lighten your load mentally, it actually induces physical changes in your body. Laughter can:
• Stimulate many organs. Laughter enhances your intake of oxygen-rich air, stimulates your heart, lungs and muscles, and increases the endorphins that are released by your brain.
• Activate and relieve your stress response. A rollicking laugh fires up and then cools down your stress response, and it can increase your heart rate and blood pressure. The result? A good, relaxed feeling.
• Soothe tension. Laughter can also stimulate circulation and aid muscle relaxation, both of which can help reduce some of the physical symptoms of stress.
Long-term effects
Laughter isn't just a quick pick-me-up, though. It's also good for you over the long term. Laughter may:
• Improve your immune system. Negative thoughts manifest into chemical reactions that can affect your body by bringing more stress into your system and decreasing your immunity. In contrast, positive thoughts can actually release neuropeptides that help fight stress and potentially more-serious illnesses.
• Relieve pain. Laughter may ease pain by causing the body to produce its own natural painkillers.
• Increase personal satisfaction. Laughter can also make it easier to cope with difficult situations. It also helps you connect with other people.
• Improve your mood. Many people experience depression, sometimes due to chronic illnesses. Laughter can help lessen your depression and anxiety and may make you feel happier.
