Nothing beats the happy hormone gush you get when you laugh but even laughter yoga, a practice that combines intentional laughter with simple breathing exercises, can be a good stress-relieving medicine as well.
LAUGHTER AS YOGA
When we induce laughter, we literally move our diaphragm, which in turn stimulates the lungs and oxygenates the blood better. All the five lobes of the lungs can work full capacity. This is borne out by a study in 2022 which showed that simulated laughter therapy brought about significant changes in lung function. As happy hormones like dopamine, serotonin, endorphins and oxytocin are released, they help in ridding the body of toxins and boosting the immune system. Laughter increases our appetite and also our capacity to digest, thereby strengthening gut health. Most importantly, laughter therapy is a non-invasive and non-pharmacological alternative treatment for stress and depression as proven by many studies.
DID YOU KNOW?
Laughter also improves general health outcomes by lowering blood pressure, decreasing inflammation and pain. In fact, it releases endorphins, which are naturally occurring analgesics.
HOW TO PRACTISE LAUGHTER YOGA?
1) Choose a quiet space preferably where there is better ventilation. To start the laughing process, start by clapping and screaming, “ho ho ha ha ha”.
2) Lion laughter: Thrust out the tongue, widen the eyes, and stretch the hands out like claws while laughing. Start by taking a deep breath, then exhale while sticking out your tongue and making a “ha” sound. Then, take another deep breath in and exhale while making a “ha-ha-ha” sound like a lion’s roar. Repeat this exercise five times.
3) Laugh with the mouth closed and hum.
4) Open your mouth wide and laugh without making a sound.
5) Begin with a simple smile and then slowly begin to laugh with a gentle chuckle. Increase the intensity until you’ve had a hearty, belly-hurting laugh. Then gradually slip back into a smile again.
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6) Take a deep breath, then let it out. Read the alphabets out one by one but stretch the intonation. For example, “A-ha-ha-ha, B-ho-ho-ho….”
7) Make laughing a group activity. Look at each other. Sometimes making funny gestures work to trigger spontaneous reactions. This shared activity also reminds participants how important it is to appreciate others. Join the tip of your index finger with the tip of the thumb, making a small circle. Use it like it were a camera lens, looking at people around you as you smile and laugh together.
(Dr Mehta is a holistic health expert)
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