LAUGHTER – AN INSTANT VACATION

 

              "A day without laughter is a day wasted" - Charlie Chaplin.

 

Can we think of a life without Laughter? Laughter is the quintessence of life. Without it, life would be a dark abyss. Seven days without Laughter makes one weak. (Mort Walker).

 

Laughter plays a vital role in the dynamics of human relationships. Laughter removes distance and walls between people. It bridges differences and brings people closer. The shortest distance between two persons is healthy, fun-filled Laughter. When people laugh together, they connect more intimately and earnestly. Can we ever be angry while we are laughing aloud? Laughter dissolves our ego.

 

So often, we come across persons who can connect with everyone around them through their distinct wits, laughs and humour. Whereas some cannot laugh or even smile, keep a serious face always – such persons are not happily welcomed by others.

 

Research has shown that couples with a sense of humour tend to have stronger relationships. Humour helps the couple to see the lighter side of any issue and makes them aware of not taking everything too seriously. Communication and mutual understanding also become more effective—a relaxed milieu at home ushers in happiness for all.

 

It is easy to defeat someone but very difficult to win someone. The key to winning others is a smile on our faces and love in our hearts. Mark Twain said: "The human race has only one effective weapon, which is laughter." The world today badly needs this weapon as never before.

 

Look at the nature around us - Flowers, trees, ocean, mountains, birds – Do not all emanate happiness? Many studies have clearly shown that when people were exposed to nature, there was a marked reduction in their stress levels.  

 

It is rightly said that Laughter is the best medicine. There are scientific reasons behind this statement. Medical science now has data to show that Laughter makes a significant positive impact on health. 

 

Curious to know, How? – Read On.

 

Laughter reduces the level of stress hormones – cortisol, epinephrine & dopamine. It also increases endorphin levels. Endorphins are chemicals produced naturally by the nervous system to cope with pain or stress. They are often called "feel-good" chemicals because they can act as pain relievers and happiness boosters. By altering hormone levels, humour positively impacts our health.

 

Laughter increases the number of B cells, which produce antibodies to fight against viruses/bacteria. It also increases the effectiveness of T cells (which also play a significant role in immunity). The net result is augmented immunity. Our fight against unavoidable infectious agents all around us gets a big boost.

 

Laughing provides a workout for our cardiovascular, pulmonary and respiratory systems. It makes the lungs work harder by forcing stale air out and allowing fresh air into the lungs. When we laugh, our diaphragm, chest and abdominal muscles tighten. Seeing many mornings laughing clubs in practice is heartening, propagating the benefits of free Laughter.

 

Healthy Laughter is a sure antidote to stress. A good laugh recharges our batteries. After good Laughter, one has an emotional release. A person who can have a healthy laugh has a different perspective towards challenging situations.

 

Many years back, Osho introduced the laughter meditation. He used 

to say: "Make Laughter your prayer. Laugh more. Nothing releases your blocked energies, as does Laughter. Nothing makes you innocent as does Laughter."

 

He adds: "When we really laugh, we are in a deep meditative state for those few moments. Thinking stops. It is impossible to laugh and think together. Either we can laugh or think. If we are still thinking while laughing, our Laughter is not real but crippled.". 

 

Interestingly, there is a term for the study of Laughter – Gelotology. Many research studies have been on the modus operandi of the beneficial outcome of healthy Laughter. 

 

One study suggested that healthy children may laugh as much as 400 times per day, but adults tend to laugh only 15 times daily. We need to keep alive the child within us. If we can laugh as innocently and genuinely as children, we have already secured a ticket to a sound mind and health.

 

While it is easy to laugh at something funny, it isn't easy to laugh at yourself. We grow up as individuals when we have a natural healthy laugh at ourselves. To be able to laugh at ourselves means to love ourselves the way we are. But, here is a red flag. It should not be self-–disparaging. If we feel worse, more depressed or angry with low self-esteem, we are not doing it right. Remember, laughing at ourselves is just for us.

 

It is worth ruminating  – "You don't stop laughing because you grow old. You grow old because you stop laughing."

 

Human life is too precious. Let us make it buoyant through Laughter. Laugh with friends and family. Enjoy funny shows and have healthy Laughter. Find humour in life. Let humour be our habit. Let us make Laughter our signature strength. 

 

Shall We?