Is Laughter the best Medicine?

Is Laughter the Best Medicine?

By Amanda Buck, Community Outreach Director Sponsored by Cannon Pharmacy

Ongoing research in the science of laughter points to the method’s capacity for reducing stress and diminishing social isolation while improving self-confidence and general sense of well-being. World renowned researcher at the University of California, Dr. Lee Berk, reports strong evidence of laughter’s role in boosting the immune system and has been proven to be an aid in cardiac rehabilitation. According to studies, laughter is credited with boosting the immune system, improving circulation, helping balance blood sugar, relaxing muscles, aiding digestion, and even improving the quality of breast milk in nursing mothers. In addition, laughter burns calories.

There is a huge difference between laughter and humor. Humor is a subjective experience, meaning that one person may find a situation/ expression humorous, but another person may not have the same experience. On the other hand, laughter is a universal physical act experienced by all for different situations. Laughter is often stimulated by humor, but it can also be stimulated without humor.

Therapeutic Laughter has become a new topic in the media that utilizes a group setting to teach laughter techniques. These techniques of breathing, bringing forth mirthful laughter, and interaction with others by removing social isolation, but it also helps with range of motion, communication, balance, and flexibility (among other items). It is thought that these techniques work to improve quality of life, build self-confidence/self-esteem, teach coping skills, uplift perspective, and reinforce hope.

More than ever the medical community is tapping into the importance of attitudes and emotions. With so many health problems facing the population along with high medical costs, scientific evidence

supports the idea that laughter helps keep us healthy. Laughter and humor ARE NOT primary treatments, but they can actually help other treatments work better.

Amanda Buck is a trained World

Laughter Leader through the World Laughter Tour. She is happy to come to do a laughter session with your church, school, or club. Please reach out to Arin Jackling at 704-933-6337 x 3010. ■