Adding more laughter to your day can make everything flow more easily and joyfully .
am pretty certain it is possible . Does that sound far-fetched ? I guess it could , but I for one am choosing to stick with that belief . I have read countless stories of people who have cured themselves of anything from depression to cancer by committing to a daily laughter practice . In fact , I believe in it so much , that a little over 8 years ago , I became I certified Laughter Yoga™ Instructor . I love hearing stories from my clients about how much better they feel overall because of the practice .
There is so much data mounting about the positive things laughter can do , and the best part is you don ’ t need any special equipment to make it work . Laughing doesn ’ t have to take a lot of time out of your day , and it doesn ’ t even matter if you use “ fake ” laughter or real laughter – physiologically , your body doesn ’ t know the difference . You ’ ll receive the same benefits no matter how you do it . Personal experience has taught me that “ fake ” laughter inevitably turns into real laughter if you keep at it long enough . But don ’ t take my word for it – go ahead and see for yourself right now . Do your best to spend the next couple of minutes or so “ pretending ” to laugh and see what happens and how you feel .
Having a good laugh has an immediate positive effect . Not only does laughter make you feel lighter in the moment , the process of laughing actually fires off physical changes in your brain and body chemistry that alter the way you feel .
In the short-term laughter can :
Enhance your ability to breathe more deeply , stimulating your heart and lungs and increasing your intake of oxygen .
Help your body release tension by increasing blood circulation to your muscles , joints and tendons .
Lower the level of stress hormones ( epinephrine , cortisol , etc .) in the blood .
Increase the level of dopamine and endorphins being released by your brain , which helps lessen depression , anxiety , and overwhelm .
Laughing has many long-term effects as well . Laughing can :
Improve your immune system by creating a more positive state of mind . ( Positive thinking helps to release neuropeptides that fight stress and potentially more-serious illnesses ).
Help move the fluid in the lymphatic system to flush your system and remove toxic waste .