The Benefits of Laughter. Latest Developments.
Research reported during the last meeting of the
American Academy of Pain Medicine, showed the latest developments that have
been conducted in this field. It was shown how laughing for ten minutes would
have similar health benefits as that of doing exercise, eating vegetables or
meditating. The findings could be feasible as laughing activates various areas
of the brain. It was also proven that laughing gives you the same amount of
strength that is provided through doing regular exercise such as walking,
swimming, etc. due to how the heartbeat accelerates and because of how long it
takes for it to rest.
These studies are added to those conducted by the
University of Maryland (USA) which showed that a vasodilation takes place when
we laugh, which increases blood flow to all organs by 22% and it reduces stress
by up to 35%.
Laughing would also:
- Improve breathing.
- Relax all muscles.
- It would also activate the immune system as it increases the amount of defences in the body whilst also improving mental performance and the tolerance to pain.
These studies also show the benefits of its
implementation in the areas of Oncology, Palliative Care and Rehabilitation, as
well as Psychiatry.
Another conclusion that was reached from these studies
was that we should watch films that made us laugh more regularly, go to comedy
clubs and spend more time with people that are fun, meaning that we should put
some more humour in our lives.
We do not want to forget to mention the health benefits
experienced by hospitalised children; especially those that suffer from cancer,
when clowns that make them laugh visit them. The striking improvement that they
show after these visits have led to it being a common practice in many
hospitals around the world.
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