I WOULDN’T be wrong if I said that we are slowly, but surely, forgetting how important a role laughter plays in our lives. These days, we always find ourselves in a hurry to achieve different goals. This often makes us get ensnared in the clutches of anxiety and a variety of social phobias, and tend to forget about various pleasant aspects of life.
In this regard, a comparatively new branch of science is being evolved. It was in the ‘30s that some scientists began working in this direction. The discipline is known as ‘gelotology’ — or humour physiology — a study of positive events that occur in our body as a result of humorous experiences. These days, the research work related to this branch of science is gaining momentum.
It has been proven beyond doubt that humour, mirth and laughter have a good affect on the human body. They can also create harmony in the body and make a person feel quite spirited.
Researchers studying the effects of laughter on the immune system have found that laughter lowers blood pressure, reduces stress hormones, increases muscle flexion and gives boost to the immune function by raising levels of infection-fighting T-cells, disease-fighting proteins called gamma-interferon, and B-cells that produce disease-destroying antibodies. Apart from that it triggers the release of endorphins, human body’s natural painkillers and produces a general sense of well-being. The physiological response produced by laughter is quite opposite to what was observed in classical stress syndromes. It now supports the idea that mirthful laughter is a ‘eustress state’ — a state that produces healthy or positive emotions. The act of laughing is also aerobic, that is, it is an exercise for diaphragm, which increases the body’s ability to use oxygen.
Experts believe that when used as an adjunct to conventional care, laughter can reduce pain and aid the healing process. It offers a powerful distraction from pain too. In a study published in the Journal of Holistic Nursing, patients were told one-liners after they underwent surgeries for different diseases and before painful medication was administered. Those exposed to humour perceived less pain when compared to patients who didn’t get a dose of laughter as part of their therapy.
Perhaps, the biggest benefit of ‘the laughter therapy’ is that it is free of cost and has no known negative side-effects.
Here, it would be apt to mention that grinning, smiling and even giggling can bring about enormous changes into human physiology, such as increased adrenaline production, acceleration of the heartbeat and accentuated breathing patterns. Once an acute active stage of all these enhancements passes, a serene state of relaxation for human body ensues for the mind. Excitement and its subsequent secondary state of relaxation is directly proportional to the induction of mirth, making facial muscles work efficiently, which in turn brings into co-ordination much larger groups of muscles.
It is also believed that laughter aids ventilation, clears mucous plugs and helps patients with respiratory diseases. It also helps disrupt the normal cyclical breathing pattern and accelerates exchange of residual air enhancing blood oxygen levels. It increases the heart rate and helps considerably in the dynamics of the blood circulation, diminishing the vascular stasis and preventing thrombus formation promoting the movement of immune elements, helping the body to fight infections. The increased levels of adrenaline associated is responsible for the beneficial effects on mental functions, including increased interpersonal relationships responsiveness.
In our country, the Freudian “melancholy and mourning” theory seems to be ubiquitous at all levels. However, in spite of the misery, apathy and indifference, some healthcare providers do manage to tickle the funny bones of patients, raising the spirits of the depressed or the diseased patients, which proves to be a great help in the healing process.
Peers and fakirs tend to provide a service resembling more to the Western style couch psychotherapy sessions. But traditional healers freely engage in conversations about the patient’s family, friends and their problems and provide them with the opportunity to vent their frustrations. However, many people don’t subscribe to their style of healing.
Everyone, from ordinary citizens to professional healthcare providers, should promote humour. Doctors should do it more often as it will boost their medical practice and help patients recover and recuperate from their illnesses quite quickly.
I WOULDN’T be wrong if I said that we are slowly, but surely, forgetting how important a role laughter plays in our lives. These days, we always find ourselves in a hurry to achieve different goals. This often makes us get ensnared in the clutches of anxiety and a variety of social phobias, and tend to forget about various pleasant aspects of life.
