Laughter Therapy
Many of laughter's positive effects are the result of the hormones laughter stimulates, called catecholamines. Catecholamines trigger the release of endorphins the body's natural "feel-good" chemicals that reduce pain and stimulate elation. According to a research team at Texas A&M University, each laugh relieves stress, reduces anxiety, lifts energy and even cultivates hope. In fact, the team found that laughter therapy could lead to significant increases in hopefulness. David H. Rosen, one of the researchers who carried out the study, told Science Daily that humor specifically fosters hope by blocking negative thoughts with positive ones. The positive emotions generated through humor can enhance our belief in overcoming obstacles, an important psychological aspect of hope. This is just one reason laughter is becoming an important treatment element in many integrative cancer treatment centers.
Special Precautions of Laughter Therapy
The benefits of Laughter Therapy are
Just some of the functions of laughter include its ability to:
- Boost the immune system and circulatory system
- Enhance oxygen intake
- Stimulate the heart and lungs
- Relax muscles throughout the body
- Trigger the release of endorphins (the body's natural painkillers)
- Ease digestion/soothe stomach aches
- Relieve pain
- Balance blood pressure
- Improve mental functions (i.e., alertness, memory, creativity)
- Laughter Increases Natural Killer Cells in Cancer Patients : Natural killer cells are the body's natural defense against invasive tumors.
- relieves stress
- reduces anxiety
- lifts energy
