Laughter Is The Best Medicine – Get a Dose of Your Own!
L
After a serious laughing session with someone, have you ever heard them respond, “Wow, thanks! I needed that!”? Well, we all do benefit from a good laugh once in a while, and we all probably benefit in our own unique ways – would you agree with that?
Take a moment to think about it, what does LAUGHTER do for you? Is this old adage true on some level? Laughter is thought to be a Super-Balancer, reversing unhealthy stress reactions and helping various treatments work better so you can simply enjoy life more.
The above video from ABC15 News featuring SWIHA’s Laughter Club captures some of the fun to be had at one of these SWIHA events. The ‘SWIHA ha ha Laughter club’ is held at the main campus every second Friday of every month. Are you ready to get your laughter on?
As quoted in the news story, the Director of Cardiac Rehabilitation for Banner Desert Hospital, Dr. David Kassel, says, laughter does in fact appear to have some physical effect on the body, but it’s hard to say how beneficial those effects actually are.
“Endorphins get released, the brain is in a happier mode, they may help arteries relax, meaning they may carry more blood flow to critical organs,” said Dr. Kassel. “Unfortunately, whether that is a significant feature that helps somebody, that’s something we just don’t know.”
The general public is welcome to attend these monthly events and the people that attend the monthly laughter group at the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts , in Tempe, can’t speak on the medical benefits – they just know that they certainly feel better afterward.
Debbie White, who has been coming to the group meetings for two years said, “ I’ve had some problems sleeping, but when I leave here I go home and, right to sleep.”
Linda Scharf, a Certified Laughter Leader, started the group a few years ago after recognizing the benefits she got from laughter therapy during her recovery from cancer treatments. ”Emotionally it was such a lift and physically it always made me feel very energized, at the same time you feel relaxed,” said Scharf. As for laughter being the best medicine, Linda simply points out that, “with laughter, there are no bad side effects.”
Carmen Marrero, another Certified Laughter Leader, says that laughing naturally burns calories and requires muscles that you do not normally use; thus it’s a good workout! ”When we laugh, the brain simultaneously make gestures and sound. Fifteen facial muscles contract. Nerves sent to the brain trigger electrical impulses to set off chemical reactions. These reactions release natural tranquilizers, pain relievers and endorphins, says Marrero, who also works with Parkinson patients. 
“Parkinson patients in their advance stage don’t show much emotion in their facial structure; they have a hard time moving their facial muscles as they become very stiff. Their attempt from preventing the tremor makes the muscle tense. This is what I have noticed working with Parkinson patients from Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center. It has given me the opportunity to see them laugh and become relaxed. The contiguous laughter produces Joy, allowing their bodies to become distracted from their struggles. Their attitude changes as they also struggle with depression. All in all, it’s beneficial for anyone, patient or not.“
As you can see, and know for yourself, laughter is one of the best medicines in life. The SWIHA laughter event is always Complimentary, and again, meets on the second Friday of every month at 1100 E. Apache in Tempe, 85281. Call for details at (480) 994-9244 or read more at www.abc15.com/dpp/news/health/is-laughter-really-the-best-medicine#ixzz1hlCsRWrW or go to the SWIHA Events calendar.
As another fun saying goes, “Live, Laugh and Love!“
