How hahas can help you emotionally, mentally, and physically
When was the last time you found yourself laughing so hard you literally gasped for air? Imagine that feeling of having a huge burden lifted off your chest after laughing your heart out. You felt wonderful afterward, didn’t you? Genuine laughter is not just about experiencing exhilaration. Science now recognizes laughter for its therapeutic benefits. Not only does it help improve mood, relieve stress, alleviate pain, and promote mental well-being but laughter also positively impacts our physical health, especially the lungs—the vital organ that is greatly threatened by COVID-19 during this pandemic. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to lung health. Explore ways to strengthen its function beyond proper nutrition and avoidance of harmful microorganisms and substances.
In a study entitled Effectiveness of Laughter Therapy in Smartphone Addicts on Insomnia, Lung Functions, and Flexibility published by the International Journal of Health Sciences and Research in 2019, researcher Suman Salunke et al noted that “laughter is good for the lungs overall as it provides an aerobic workout for the diaphragm. Laughter empties the lungs of more air than they take in, which results in a cleansing effect in much the same way that an act of deep breathing does. Study supporting this result was done by authors Dhamak K, et al (2011).”
Laughing is similar to having an internal massage and workout for the lungs and surrounding vital organs, including the heart. Tracie Abram of Michigan State University Extension explained, “The diaphragm is a muscle that separates our abdominal cavity from our chest cavity. It is the only muscle in our body that is attached to other muscles. When we laugh, our diaphragm convulsively pulls on our side muscles and shakes up our stomach and other vital organs. We get an internal massage, which leaves our organs invigorated, juicy, pumped-up, and alert.”
Therapeutic laughter is divided into three categories. The first one is spontaneous laughter. This type of laughter is not influenced by one’s own free will. Rather, it is triggered by an external stimulus that brings about positive emotions that make an individual laugh. For instance, witnessing a hilarious scene right in front of you or hearing someone cracking a joke.
The second type is simulated laughter. Contrary to spontaneous laughter, simulated laughter is self-initiated. It is purposefully done at will. Positive emotions or humor is not a prerequisite for this type of laughter. One can simply begin to smile, giggle, then progress to laughter without any reason. A very good example is laughter yoga.
Laughter is good for the lungs overall as it provides an aerobic workout for the diaphragm. Laughter empties the lungs of more air than they take in, which results in a cleansing effect in much the same way that an act of deep breathing does.
Stimulated laughter is the third type, which technically involves an external stimulus like tickling, hugging, massage, and similar actions or activities that include physical contact.
During this pandemic, with the threat of the virus looming over us, it may be more difficult to find reasons to laugh. For some who have lost loved ones and jobs, laughter may be considered a luxury they cannot afford. Laughter therapy, however, is not all about being genuine. Fake or forced laughter is still part and parcel of this therapeutic approach. All it takes is the willingness to try and reacquaint ourselves with the gift of laughter.